MONTEREY, Calif. — The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council have selected the 2021 Profiles in Leadership (PIL) Award recipients—Jeff Stephens, Jeannine Campos Grech and Tracy Schohr. The award recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for leadership actions that result in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment. The award ceremony will be held in Clovis on Oct. 14.
“Ag Leadership is focused on growing leaders who make a difference,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “We are delighted to see our alumni positively influence their industries, communities and families. This couldn’t be more evident with Jeannine, Tracy and Jeff and this award is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their leadership-in-practice.”
Jeannine Campos Grech (Class 29) was selected for her community service work, especially with Valley Children’s. She currently serves as chair of both Valley Children’s Hospital and Valley Children’s Healthcare boards of trustees and also served as a Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation board member.
“Jeannine has left a lasting legacy on the children of the Central Valley,” said her nominators. “She is a hands-on board member and is directly involved in the strategic planning, financial management and vision setting for the healthcare network.”
Tracy Schohr (Class 39) is a recipient based upon her community service during wildfires in her area—the 2018 Camp Fire, 2020 North Complex Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire. Her work has included coordinating with emergency personnel and ranchers to contain, transport and secure a safe place for loose herds and displaced livestock.
“Tracy supports the agricultural industry through education and understanding of the science around natural working lands with the public,” said her nominators. “She is the first to step up to make a difference. California will continue to have natural disasters and Tracy will be there on the front lines and we can count on the fact that her crisis leadership will benefit everyone.”
Jeff Stephens (Class 24) was chosen due to his work with homelessness and community cleanup. He founded SAYlove—an organization formed to address dumping in rural areas and to provide care and support in Yuba City and the surrounding community. He brought businesses and the community together to cleanup more than 1.5 million pounds of dumped material in just one year.
“I saw a need and the community needed action taken and what resulted has totally changed my life and benefited our community,” said Stephens. “We took people who were feeling hopeless and gave them something to feel hopeful about within the community.”
This year’s recipients will be honored during the Class 51 Inaugural Banquet on Oct. 14 at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District. A welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the award ceremony, inauguration and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $40 per person. RSVP to CALF by Oct. 8 at (831) 585-1030 or info@agleaders.org.