California Rodeo Announces New President, Officers and Directors
SALINAS, CA – The 35th President of the California Rodeo Association is Fred Hooker. Hooker took the reins on Thursday, November 18th at the annual stockholder’s dinner in Salinas. He is a fourth generation Californian who has been active in his family farming operations in southern California and Monterey County. Hooker is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees. He has been active in many local groups: Salinas Jaycees, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Gonzales Young Farmers and Agriculture Leadership Class 16 to name a few. His Rodeo experience includes the Bluegrass Committee, Round Up Day Barbecue Committee and Concessions prior to serving as an Officer. His full biography can be found below.
There were progressions and one new addition to the six officer positions besides the new president: 1st vice president is Steve Davis, 2nd vice president is Bob Eggers and Tom Nielsen now holds the 3rd vice president position. Patty Standridge is the new treasurer and Henry Dill remains secretary. Four new directors were also named: Chris Bunch, Jeff Pennoni, Brent Plemmons and Jason Smith. Brett Harrell moved to an advisory director position while Barbara Balentine was designated as an honorary director. Two gold saddleman recipients, Brent Eastman and Sam Jenkinson, who received their awards during the California Rodeo Salinas in September, were recognized at the event along with the committeeman of the year, Tina Daries, and arena committeeman of the year, Scott Moser and the Ground Preparation Committee, the committee of the year.
Full biographies of the new president, officers, directors, and other honorees can be found below. Save the date for the 2022 California Rodeo Salinas July 21st-24th.
President Fred Hooker
Fred Hooker is a fourth generation Californian whose Great Grandparents established the B.I. Bell Ranch in 1877 on part of a Spanish Land grant in Somis near Camarillo, CA. He was active in the family farming operations in Oxnard and continued in farming when relocating to Gonzales CA in 1969 from Ventura County establishing Rancho Hooker LLC. Fred is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo receiving a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees, he is a graduate of the Agricultural Leadership Class 16 and holds a Lifetime Teaching Credential.
Hooker began his Rodeo Career on the Bluegrass Committee in 1976 under Directors Don Barsotti and Bill Ramsey, moving on to the Round Up Day BBQ in 1978 under Directors Al Hansen and Chet Behen and was the Round Up Day Vice Chairmen under Director Bill Ryan. He then moved to the Concessions Committee in 2000 and became chairman of that committee in 2003; he was selected as a director in 2007 and served as the secretary in 2014. Fred has held leadership positions in the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, Salinas Jaycees, Gonzales Young Farmers, and was the State President of the California Young Farmers in 1976 and 1985. He continues to be an active Rotarian and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Fred is married to wife Mary and have “his and her” combined family of 7 children, 6 grandchildren with 2 more grandchildren arriving this spring.
3rd Vice President Tom Nielsen
Tom Nielsen was born and raised in Salinas and has deep ties to the California Rodeo. He joined committee in 1971, though he likely was involved long before that alongside his father, Past President Gene Nielsen. Since joining he worked his way up to becoming a director in 1986. During those years he served on the Roping and Bucking Chutes Committees as well as the Winston Scoreboard Committee. His involvement in the arena helped him become the Arena Secretary in 1992 and then the Arena Director in 2019, both positions he holds today. Nielsen has been an officer of the California Rodeo for a combined 11 years, serving as secretary and treasurer. In 2011 he received the Gold Saddleman award for his dedication and commitment to the organization. Nielsen has been a part of Nielsen Farms for 40 years and farms for himself with Bullet Ranches. He and his wife Kerri have been married for 27 years and own and operate Salinas’s favorite dive bar, The Kings Den.
Treasurer Patty Standridge
Patty Standridge has been volunteering at the California Rodeo since 1998 when she joined the Banking Committee. It didn’t take long for the board to recognize her skills and hard work which lead to becoming a director in 2012. She has served on the Executive Committee and is still a vital part of the Budget Committee. Standridge commends her committee for their hard work to keep the banking office running smoothly during the Rodeo, Monster Trucks, concerts, and other events the Rodeo Association produces. She is proud to work with all the volunteers, committees, non-profits, and rodeo staff to benefit our community. Born and raised in Salinas, Standridge has worked for the Nunes Company for 23 years. She has 3 children and 7 grandchildren who all live in Salinas and is honored and humbled to join the officer group as the new treasurer.
Director Chris Bunch
Chris Bunch began volunteering at the California Rodeo Salinas over twenty-five years ago on the Fellowship Committee that manages the Contestant Center, which provides contestants meals and a place to relax during Big Week. He recently became chairman of this committee when the Contestant Center’s founders, Bonnie and Al Stoeberl, also Chris’s mother and father in-law, moved out of state. When he isn’t supporting cowboys at the Rodeo, Bunch can be found coaching the Salinas High School Cowboys as one of the school’s long-time football and baseball coaches. He is a native of Salinas and graduate of Salinas High School. Bunch attended Hartnell College and Fresno State University where he studied Agricultural Business. For more than twenty years, he has worked for local ag processor, Taylor Farms, and currently serves as the company’s Logistics Manager. Bunch has been married to his wife, Crystal, for more than 25 years and they have two children, TJ and Taylor, and recently became grandparents.
Director Jeff Pennoni
Jeff Pennoni has been volunteering for 21 years at the California Rodeo. He says being a part of the Facilities Committee family has been the greatest accomplishment of his life. In 2000, Mike McVay invited Pennoni to meet him at the maintenance and construction barn where he was introduced to Mike Shepheard, who oversaw the Facilities Committee at the Rodeo grounds. After that introduction, Pennoni knew he wanted to be a part of the association with hardworking individuals who volunteer their time and give back to their community. He recently became the Vice Chair of the Audio/Visual Committee. Pennoni was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA and moved to Salinas after graduating high school in Arizona. He volunteers in various community groups including the Salinas Airshow, Monterey Tuba Christmas event, and is the Vice President of the FDES Portuguese Hall in Monterey, although. He has been married to his wife Juju for 5 years and is proud to have built a life in Salinas.
Director Brent Plemmons
Brent Plemmons has been volunteering for over 25 years at the California Rodeo. He was on the Beer Committee for 15 years before joining the Trophy Committee with Brett Harrell and Phil Spiegl over 10 years ago and is the current chairman. Plemmons has worked for American AgCredit for 28 years and is the Vice President of Leasing Relationship Manager. He is grateful to work for a company that supports volunteering in the community and is currently on the board for RCD of Monterey County and a long-time volunteer with various local groups including 4-H, FFA, Monterey County Ag Education and Salinas Valley Ducks Unlimited. Plemmons is originally from Danville, CA but has lived in Salinas for nearly 30 years. He has been married to his wife Julie for 33 years and has two adult children, Clair and John, and one grandson, Walter Clark.
Director Jason Smith
Jason Smith first became involved at the California Rodeo in 1999 as a participant in the Industrial Calf Dressing event. After his team’s third win in 2011, it was a mutual decision to hang up the matching team shirts. Smith went on to join the Industrial Calf Dressing Committee under Jerry Bunker and in 2013 became the Chairman. He is a lifelong Salinas Valley resident and 2nd generation President and CEO of the family vineyard and winery businesses, Valley Farm Management and Smith Family Wines, which was established in 1973. Volunteerism was engrained into his family by his parents Richard and Claudia Smith. They served on various boards and gave their time to many great causes. Along with volunteering, Smith has supported the Rodeo by being a longtime wine sponsor. Becoming a director at the California Rodeo is an honor and will continue the family tradition of contributing to a great organization that gives back so much to our community. He has also been the Head Coach for Palma and Notre Dame Track and Field for over 20 years. Smith has been married to wife Jennifer for 21 years and they have 3 kids: Matt, Kelly, and Justin and 2 grandkids Fay (6) and Hendrix (2).
Advisory Director Brett Harrell
Brett Harrell joined the Rodeo family in 2003. Shortly after being hired by the Nunes Company, Mike Scarr invited him to a night performance at the Rodeo. It was that night Harrell saw the energy and commitment of the community surrounding the Rodeo and knew he had to be part of it. He sold tickets and served on the Concessions Committee as well as the Trophy Committee before becoming a director in 2010. Harrell says the dedication and commitment of the volunteers and staff is something to be proud of. He was especially honored to work alongside Phil Spiegl, the Trophy Chairman, for many years. He and his wife Terry celebrated their 35th anniversary this year, they have one daughter, Sara who has opened the Rodeo with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Harrell says the Rodeo is a special place, which is just one of the many reasons it is a lasting and significant event.
Honorary Director Barbara Balentine
Barbara Balentine has tirelessly promoted the California Rodeo Salinas for almost four decades. Her loyalty and devotion to the organization is unmatched. She worked as the lone clerical person in the office, marketing coordinator and sponsorship coordinator, all while volunteering for other organizations in the community. She’s helped organize the Rodeo’s Cowboy Shoot Out golf tournament, now known as the Larry Balentine Memorial Cowboy Shoot Out, since its inception in 1989. As sponsorship coordinator, she worked with President Al Hansen to develop what is still one of the most elite sponsor hospitality programs in the industry. Balentine’s spirit and spunk along with her dedication to the California Rodeo are well known in Salinas and the rodeo world. She officially retired in the fall of 2020 and was inducted in the California Rodeo Hall of Fame this past September.
Golden Saddleman Recipients
Brent Eastman is a fifth-generation Salinas resident. He graduated from Palma High School and later Saint Mary’s College. He began his rodeo career on the Director’s Patio at the invitation of his Uncle Phil Vincenz in 1986. In 1990 Eastman joined the Announcing Committee following in the footsteps of his father, Sam Eastman, and uncle, George Richardson. In 2001 he became the chairman of the Announcing Committee and became a director in 2002. As President, Brent was a passionate and dedicated leader. He brought members of our community closer together and did it all with enthusiasm. He and his wife Maureen have five children and a granddaughter, Scarlett.
Sam Jenkinson has put his heart and soul into the California Rodeo Salinas for over 30 years serving on the Ground Preparation committee. He has spent countless hours on tractors and water trucks making sure the ground is suitable for contestants and livestock. Jenkinson, along with Past President Benny Jefferson, have played a big role in starting and continuing the freestyle bullfights in Salinas. He has 3 sons, Sam the III, Matt and Nick, who are all year-round volunteers of the Rodeo Association. Jenkinson lives in Salinas with his wife Pam; they have four grandchildren.
Committee Person of the Year – Tina Daries
Tina Daries joined the Track Committee in 1999 and immediately became a vital part of the California Rodeo by running the barrel race event on the track. She is a true ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas in her dealings with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). She is so well respected by the women of the WPRA that during their awards ceremony in Las Vegas in 2016 she was awarded for her contributions and efforts put forth during the California Rodeo Salinas.
Arena Committee Person of the Year – Scott Moser
Scott Moser started volunteering on our Track Committee in 1995. He moved to the arena and started opening chute gates, which he continues to do each year. Moser recently moved to Arizona but travels back to volunteer during the California Rodeo Salinas. His wife McKaela has volunteered as well and they have two children, Caden and Ashlyn.
Committee of the Year – Ground Preparation
The Ground Preparation committee is responsible for grooming and prepping the ground, ensuring its safety for contestants and animal athletes alike. When everyone heads home after each performance, the Ground Prep Committee gets to work so the arena and track are ready for action early the next morning. The California Rodeo has been awarded the Best Footing Award multiple times by the WPRA for the barrel racing competition. The committee also helps throughout the year keeping the ground prepped and ready for complex events that use the arena and track.
Photos by Mag One Media/Pep’s Photography. New Directors L-R: Brent Plemmons, Jeff Pennoni, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2021 Emily Cullins, President Fred Hooker, Jason Smith.
Officers L-R: 3rd Vice President Tom Nielsen, 2nd Vice President Bob Eggers, Secretary Henry Dill, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2021 Emily Cullins, President Fred Hooker, Treasurer Patty Standridge, 1st Vice President Steve Davis.