On Wednesday, the 2021 Officers of RCRC took the Oath of Office to lead the organization this year in championing policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless was installed as Chair. Nevada County Supervisor Dan Miller was installed as 1st Vice Chair.  Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter was installed as 2nd Vice Chair.  Merced County Supervisor Daron McDaniel remains an Officer as Immediate Past Chair. The official Oath of Office was administered by U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-Yolo County) during the RCRC Board of Directors meeting, held virtually, on the morning of January 13, 2021.
 
Later in the evening, at RCRC’s Annual Reception (held virtually this year), RCRC honored  the recipients of the Rural Leadership Awards. The Rural Leadership Awards are presented annually to two public officials who have demonstrated an understanding of, and leadership in, rural issues and unique challenges that rural communities face. RCRC honored former Congressman Paul Cook (currently a member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors) for his longstanding advocacy for rural counties. RCRC also honored Assembly Member Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), a strong ally for rural counties, for her pivotal role in the wildfire conversation as Chair of the Natural Resources Committee during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.
 
The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion on The Pursuit of Holistic Wildfire Solutions for 2021. RCRC was honored to have with us, agency leaders with expertise and experience important to the long term health and protection of California’s natural resources:

  • Angela Avery, Executive Officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy
  • Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary
  • Randy Moore, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Regional Forester

 
RCRC is grateful to all who joined in the evening of fun and celebration, as the 2021 Officers lead the organization in the year ahead. For more information, read RCRC’s press release here.