Board of Directors
Clovis Rodeo Association 2011 Board of Directors
There is a legend that says rodeo got it's start when "one ranch said they had a horse that couldn't be rode, and another ranch said they had a cowboy that couldn't be thrown." Rodeo is a unique part of American history and holds a rich place in our western heritage. For a dedicated group of volunteers, preserving the cattle ranching history of the region, the spirit of rodeo and the Clovis Way of Life is why you can find them hard at work on many a day, night and weekend.
Planning for the 98th 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 $150,000 annually for local charities. The all-volunteer Clovis Rodeo Association is dedicated to giving back to a community many of them have called home their whole life.
The all-volunteer, non-profit Clovis Rodeo Association (CRA) has more than 700 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 more than twenty-one local charities annually, including 4-H, FFA, Clovis Schools, Komen for the Cure, Clovis Police Activities League, Clovis Community Hospital, CSU Fresno Rodeo Team, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Break the Barriers, Boy Scouts of America, and the Central California Blood Center.
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 enjoy the 96th 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 will find your day filled with 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, Lynn Button, Larry Cowger, Ron Dunbar, Ken Elliott, Susan Frantzich, Vince Genco, Greg Gillard, Joan Lassley, Chuck Rigsbee, Dan Rigsbee, Radar Ryan, Gary Bower, Mike Spears, Mark Thompson, and Jeff Witte.
Clovis Rodeo Association Officers
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 2011 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.
The President of the Clovis Rodeo Association board of directors is Ron Dunbar. Born and raised on a ranch east of Clovis, Ron is a project superintendent for Target Constructors. A graduate of Clovis High School and California State University, Fresno, he attended his first Clovis Rodeo when he was just four months old and hasn't missed one since. He started out working in the stripping chutes along side his dad, Corky and went on to begin serving on the board of directors in 2001. Now he can often be seen positioned under the announcer booth, assisting the arena director with the rough stock events. Ron also serves as the Vice President of the California Six-Pac Rodeos. He and his wife Chris reside in the foothills east of Clovis and enjoy camping, fishing and horseback riding together. Ron has two daughters, Bailee and Brianna.
Chuck Rigsbee is the Vice President of the Association. Born and raised on a ranch east of Clovis he and his wife Lois, a native New Yorker, enjoy the "Clovis Way of Life" in every way. The Rigsbee family has a long history with the Clovis Rodeo Association - beginning with his father Emmett and brother Dan the family has been a part of rodeo tradition for more than 50 years. He is currently a Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Manager with California Bank & Trust in Fresno. Chuck also serves as treasurer of the Fresno County and City Historical Society, a board member of Cen-Cal Business Finance Group, board member/trustee for the Clovis Cemetery District and a member of East Fresno Rotary Club.
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.
Jeff Witte serves as Treasurer of the Clovis Rodeo Association. A member of the Rodeo Association for more than 30 years he has volunteered for the rodeo parade and many of the organization's special events. Raised on a ranch in the high desert he has a strong interest in horses and livestock. Jeff is currently the executive officer of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFco) and previously worked for the City of Clovis for 30 years. Jeff resides in Clovis with his wife Sandy and their grandson Riley.
Mark Thompson is immediate past 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 vice 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.