Clovis Rodeo

Description

The month of April is all about rodeo in Clovis, California, but for a dedicated group of volunteers planning for the 95th annual Clovis Rodeo began the day after the rodeo finished, last year. The board meets monthly, and sometimes more at the rodeo hall, to not just plan events throughout the year, but to primarily focus on a month of festivities that raise more than $100,000 annually for local charities. They don’t do it because they are getting paid, they do it because they share a dedication to preserving their western heritage and giving back to a community many have called home their whole life. The all-volunteer, non-profit Clovis Rodeo Association (CRA) has 580 members. The board of directors is elected by a vote of the membership and oversees the management of the rodeo grounds. Proceeds from the Clovis Rodeo and related events coordinated by CRA benefit sixteen local charities annually, including 4-H, FFA, Clovis Schools, Komen for the Cure, Clovis Police Activities League, CSU Fresno Rodeo Team, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Break the Barriers, Boy Scouts of America, and the Central California Blood Center. There is also a group of associate directors to the board who are being brought along to continue a legacy that began in 1914. If anything the Rodeo Association understands, it is the rich and meaningful history that sets the community of Clovis apart. Remembering your roots and what it took to get here helps us have a deeper appreciation for the days ahead. As you are enjoying the 95th annual rodeo, the board of directors, associate directors, members, supporting charities, non-profits and service clubs who have devoted countless volunteer hours to making it happen, hope you've enjoyed a day full of family friendly entertainment. Know your support has impacted your community in a number of ways including the funding of camp for the boy scouts, a blood mobile for the blood center, the efforts of the Clovis American Legion post to assist our veterans, the Clovis Police activities league and mounted patrol, Komen for the CURE and breast cancer research, Boys and Girls Club and Clovis Schools. Members of the board of directors include: Lynn Armstrong, Vern Barkman, Joe Billalba, Larry Cowger, Ken Elliott, Vince Genco, Greg Gillard, Tom Hunter, Stan King, Chuck Rigsbee, Dan Rigsbee, Radar Ryan, Scott Saltzman, Mike Spears, Mark Thompson, Susan Frantzich, Ron Dunbar and Colby Martin. There are those cowboys and cowgirls who win their belt buckles by being the best of the best in the arena; and there are also a group of Rodeo Association volunteers who earn a belt buckle in appreciation for hours of volunteer work that starts with a big heart, and ends when the last fan leaves the gate at the end of the rodeo. Leading the 2009 Clovis Rodeo Association board of directors is a dedicated group of officers who go above and beyond to make the Clovis Rodeo the best entertainment in town on a Friday night or a Sunday afternoon. Mark Thompson is completing his third year as president of the Clovis Rodeo Association. A native of the Central Valley he has a deep family history in the community and one of the longest volunteer resumes around. When not doing business as assistant vice president and chattel appraiser for Fresno-Madera Farm Credit he can be found serving as president of the Fresno-Kings Cattlemen's Association, vice president of the Friends of Rodeo, on the board of directors of Fresno County Farm Bureau or as an active volunteer for the Junior Livestock Auction at The Big Fresno Fair. Vice President of the board is Ron Dunbar. Born and raised on a ranch east of Clovis, Ron is a project superintendent for Target Construction. He attended his first Clovis Rodeo when he was just four months old and hasn't missed one since. He and his wife Chris reside in the foothills east of Clovis with their two daughters and enjoy camping, fishing and horseback riding together. Bringing a bit of the cowgirl perspective to the board of directors is secretary, Susan Frantzich. Her "teacher of life" was her father, long time rodeo association member and 1988 Grand Marshal, Gene Ford. She, along with husband Ben, now run the family operation, Quail Oaks Ranch, in the hills above Academy. When not enjoying her family, including grandsons Gunnar, Gage, Nial, Caden Chad and granddaughter, McKenzie, she can be found serving on the Clovis Memorial board of directors and the Central California Blood Center board. A practicing realtor for 35 years, Susan also works with Premier Realty in Clovis. Colby Martin is treasurer of the board and started out working in the stripping chutes and sorting cattle for the timed events. He chairs the annual Clovis Rodeo Blood Drive that is held on the opening Thursday of rodeo weekend. Belonging to several trail ride groups Colby enjoys the "western way of life" and the cowboy culture. He is the first vice president and agricultural credit administrator for County Bank. Participating in many rodeo parades growing up in Clovis with his sister, Judy gave past president Mike Spears an appreciation for the "Clovis Way of Life." He has chaired the rodeo parade, co-chaired the sponsorship committee and now chairs the concession operation at the rodeo. When not enjoying spending time with his grandchildren, this graduate of Clovis High School, Fresno City and Fresno State Colleges is employed with Pacific Stihl. Copyright

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