Look what got planted at the Nevada County Fairgrounds this morning – Marigolds on Gold Path! A big thank you to Nevada Union FFA for all their hard work in planting these flowers for our community to enjoy all summer! Let the Fair season begin!
Marigold Planting on Gold Path
Look what got planted at the Nevada County Fairgrounds this morning – Marigolds on Gold Path! A big thank you to Nevada Union FFA for all their hard work in planting these flowers for our community to enjoy! Let the Fair season begin!
Fairgrounds Foundation Speaker Series Features Stephanie Ortiz
“When finding a career path, be open to having a meandering path, but don’t blindly wander,” said Stephanie Ortiz, Executive Dean of the Nevada County’s Sierra College Campus, to a group of local high school students on Wednesday night. “Finding a career path is not always a straight line; it’s more of a meandering path with mistakes and learning opportunities along the way, and a path that allows you to look back with perspective.”
Ortiz addressed 20 students from Bear River and Nevada Union high schools as the guest speaker in the second season of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series. The series brings business education – through access to business leaders and real-life leadership experiences and advice – to local high school students.
Ortiz has been in education for more than 30 years at the community college and university levels. She has served as the Executive Dean of Sierra College’s Nevada County Campus since 2009. Prior to that, she was the Dean of the Business and Technology Instructional Division. She’s also taught in business at Sierra College, Mt. San Antonio Community College and California State University, Fresno. Before beginning her career in education, she worked in human resources management for The Fresno Bee newspaper and General Dynamics, Pomona Division.
Ortiz discussed the opportunities available at Sierra College, the benefits of attending a community college, and the importance of exploring careers. She also shared the “soft” skills – adaptability, analysis and solution mindset, collaboration, communication, digital fluency, entrepreneurial thinking, empathy, resilience, self-awareness, and social diversity awareness – necessary for today’s work force.
The second season of the Speaker Series features six speakers, one each month, and will run through April. Upcoming speakers include Anita Oberbauer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis; and Caroline Beteta, CEO of Visit California.
About the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation: The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s mission is to support and improve the community’s Fairgrounds, and to support youth in agriculture. For information, visit here.
Mike Naggiar Serves as Guest Speaker at Foundation’s Speaker Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 17, 2016
Contact: Jim Hawkeswood, President, Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation
(530) 273-6217, ext. 209;
Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;
Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series Features Mike Naggiar
“Always be willing to take risks,” said Mike Naggiar, owner of Naggiar Vineyards and Winery, to a group of local high school students on Wednesday night. “Risks are important to take because you don’t want to be overly cautious and always taking the comfortable route. Most will take that route, but few will take the uncomfortable route. Without risks, you never know what can be accomplished or gained.”
Naggiar addressed 28 students from Bear River and Nevada Union high schools as the guest speaker in the second season of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series. The series brings business education – through access to business leaders and real-life leadership experiences and advice – to local high school students.
Naggiar is the founder of Naggiar Vineyards and Winery, a family owned and operated business located in south Nevada County that he established in 1998. Prior to establishing Naggiar Vineyards, he worked for Hewlett-Packard (HP) for more than 30 years in leadership and management roles in computer systems sales, marketing and general management. He also has a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Loughborough in England.
Naggiar shared with the group some of the lessons he’s learned along his career path. His advice to students is to always think about how to contribute to the success of an employer; never underestimate the importance of honesty, hard work and loyalty; take on new assignments and try new ideas; be a team player; stay optimistic; and find something that you are passionate about because life is too short not to do what enjoy.
The second season of the Speaker Series features six speakers, one each month, and will run through April. Upcoming speakers include Caroline Beteta, CEO of Visit California.
About the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation: The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s mission is to support and improve the community’s Fairgrounds, and to support youth in agriculture.
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Mike Naggiar, owner of Naggiar Vineyards and Winery, spent Wednesday evening sharing his experience and words of advice with students from Nevada Union and Bear River. Mike served as a guest speaker at the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series, which brings business education to local high school students.
Gold Path Marigolds Planted
Look what got planted at the Nevada County Fairgrounds this morning – Marigolds on Gold Path! A big thank you to Nevada Union’s FFA for all their hard work in planting these flowers for our community to enjoy! Let the Fair season begin!
Thanks, Nevada Union FFA
A big thank you to the Nevada Union FFA chapter for inviting Fairgrounds CEO Rea Callender to be a guest speaker at today’s meeting. What a smart, friendly group of young adults! You make us proud!
Speaker Series for Youth Continues (Rea Callender Serves as Guest Speaker)
“Life is a series of choices, and every decision you make now will impact your future,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “Your greatest potential is now – so choose wisely.”
Last night, Callender addressed more than 20 FFA and 4H students from Bear River, Nevada Union and Placer high schools, and served as the third speaker in the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s ongoing Speaker Series.
The series, hosted by the Fairgrounds Foundation and sponsored by Sandy Ballou and California Outdoor Properties, brings business education – through access to business leaders and real-life leadership experiences – to local high school students.
Rea has an entrepreneurial and philanthropic background with corporate, start-up and non-profit experience. He has served as CEO and Founder of several businesses – including Schoolpop, Inc., an online loyalty marketing company and fundraising tool for K-12 schools which raised $250 million since 1999 for schools nationwide.
Rea, who spent part of his youth in Nevada County and participated in the Junior Livestock Auction at the Nevada County Fair in his youth, talked about the impact his participation in agriculture had in his path as an entrepreneur.
As Rea encouraged students to follow their passions, he outlined a series of steps to follow, including “making good choices, doing research before making decisions, setting goals and writing them down, working hard, planning with intention, travelling when given the opportunity, getting a mentor, and maintaining connections.”
Quoting from his favorite book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Rea ended the evening with four key points – “be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.”
The Fairgrounds Foundation’s speaker series, which began in October, features six speakers and will run through April. Students have an opportunity to hear about the speaker’s career path, how they achieved their goals, insight regarding their area of expertise, and plenty of opportunities for questions. Upcoming speakers include Fiona Ma, California State Assembly; and John Paye, former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers.
About the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation: The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s mission is to support and improve the community’s Fairgrounds, and to support youth in agriculture. For more information about the Fairgrounds Foundation, or to become a member, visit NevadaCountyFair.com/foundation/.
Dan Castles: Guest Speaker at Foundation’s Speaker Series for Youth
“Stop comparing yourself to others,” said Dan Castles, CEO of Telestream, to local high school students on Thursday night. “There will always be somebody richer, smarter, prettier, and taller, than you. Figure out your uniqueness – and embrace it.”
Last night, Castles addressed more than 25 FFA and 4H students from Bear River, Nevada Union and Placer high schools, and served as the second speaker in the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s ongoing Speaker Series.
The series, hosted by the Fairgrounds Foundation and sponsored by Sandy Ballou and California Outdoor Properties, brings business education – through access to business leaders and real-life leadership experiences – to local high school students.
“I was so impressed with Dan’s ability to connect directly with these students and pass on advice that can be applied today and throughout their lives,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “It was an honor to welcome him to the speaker series.”
Dan is the co-founder of Telestream, and has more than 25 years of TV industry executive experience. Under his leadership, Telestream has become the recognized worldwide leader in enterprise-class video transcoding and workflow solutions. He was named President of Grass Valley Group (then a division of Tektronix) in 1994, following a sixteen year career at Portland-based Tektronix, where he served as Controller and then as Vice President of the Television Division.
Dan, who was involved in FFA growing up, and is a supporter of the Nevada County Fair’s auctions, told the kids that “if I were to ask my young self which program influenced me the most – I would say FFA. Through FFA, I gained confidence and public speaking skills.”
In sharing stories with students and encouraging them, Dan said, “Earn people’s respect for what you do, not your title. Work hard and smart, give your best, be humble, be a team player and always ask what you can do to help.”
The Fairgrounds Foundation’s speaker series, which began in October, features six speakers and will run through April. Students have an opportunity to hear about the speaker’s career path, how they achieved their goals, insight regarding their area of expertise, and plenty of opportunities for questions. The first guest speaker was Jack Parnell, former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Upcoming speakers include John Paye, former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers.
About the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation: The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s mission is to support and improve the community’s Fairgrounds, and to support youth in agriculture. For more information about the Fairgrounds Foundation, or to become a member, visit here.
Foundation’s First Speaker Series Features Jack Parnell
“The word “can’t” can’t do anything,” said Jack Parnell, former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, to a group of local high school students on Thursday night. “But the word “can” can do anything it wants to do; so fill your mind with the word “can” and believe that you can do whatever you choose to dream.”
Parnell recently addressed FFA students from Bear River and Nevada Union high schools as the first speaker in the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series.
The series, hosted by the Fairgrounds Foundation and sponsored by Sandy Ballou and California Outdoor Properties, brings business education – through access to business leaders and real-life leadership experiences – to local high school students.
“It was an honor to introduce Jack at the first Fair Foundation Speaker Series,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “Jack gave one of the most inspirational – and from the heart – talks that I’ve heard. He truly addressed why we started this series – to give high school students real life advice from real-life professionals, and to provide tips on how to build and succeed in a career.” This is Callender’s fourth speaker series he’s started throughout his career.
In addition to serving as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Parnell – who served during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1989 until 1991 – also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1987 to 1989, as Director of the California Department of Fish and Game from 1984 to 1987, and as Deputy Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1983 to 1984.
Before working for the Californian government, Parnell was the owner and publisher of California Cattleman Magazine and the founder and chairman of the Auburn Bank of Commerce. He built and operated the Headquarters House Restaurant, the Headquarters House Country Meat Shop, the Angus Hills Golf Course, and Parnell Ranch.
Locally, Parnell is a founder of the Draft Horse Classic, now in its 30th year at the Fairgrounds, and has long been a supporter of youth in agriculture at the Nevada County Fair. He served as the auctioneer at the Junior Livestock Auction for many years, and in continuing that tradition, his son, Randy, and his grandson, Luke, continue to serve as the auctioneers each year at the Fair.
Parnell shared his experiences and life stories with the students, and shared advice on steps he took to succeed. From a teacher early on who believed in him, to stories of success (and failures), Parnell’s main messages was to never give up on yourself, to always believe in yourself, work hard, and to dig deep when it gets tough. To use one of his favorite quotes of the night: “If you believe it, you can see it.”
In sharing his advice with the students, Parnell said, “Each morning, you wake up with a blank white sheet of paper in your mind. You can either scribble on it, wad it up and throw it away, or fill it with new goals and aspirations. Every day is a new day, so treat every day as if it’s important. Pay attention to what you are thinking about yourself, keep your thoughts positive, and pay attention to what comes out of your mouth.”
The Fairgrounds Foundation’s speaker series will feature six speakers, one each month, and will run through April. Invited students will have an opportunity to hear about the speaker’s career path, how they achieved their goals, insight regarding their area of expertise, and plenty of opportunities for questions.
Upcoming speakers include Dan Castles, CEO of Telestream; and John Paye, former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers.
