Foothill Conservancy director to receive award, new directors join board

Foothill Conservancy Secretary-Treasurer Laurie Webb, R.N., of Sutter Creek was recently named one of two recipients of this year’s Margaret Dalton Golden Acorn Award, along with Sutter Creek City Councilman Robin Peters. The award is given annually by the Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians and the Amador County Chamber of Commerce to “honor local people who contribute their time and efforts to local causes with little fanfare or recognition.”

Laurie has been the director of Amador Senior Services for 30 years, is the longtime board chair of the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, former chair of the Sutter Amador Hospital Advisory Committee, serves on the Area 12 Commission on Aging, and works weekends as a home health nurse. She has been a member of the Foothill Conservancy board of directors since 2002.

“We’re very happy to see Laurie get this well-deserved recognition,” said Foothill Conservancy Executive Director Cecily Smith. “She quietly puts in long hours for our community and is an invaluable resource to local seniors, caregivers and families. We greatly appreciate all she does for the Foothill Conservancy and her contributions to our board.”

Webb and Peters will be honored at a banquet to be held Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort’s Grand Oak Ballroom. Tickets are available at www.amadorchamber.com or the Amador County Chamber of Commerce office located at 115 Main St. Jackson, CA 95642.

The Conservancy is also pleased to announce the addition of two new directors to its board: Clavey Wendt and Doug Hardy.

Clavey is Vice President for Community Development at O.A.R.S., an international outdoor adventure company that supports river conservation throughout the world. Clavey has extensive experience in the whitewater rafting industry and in youth outdoor education. He also serves on the board of American Rivers’s California Rivers Council and O.A.R.S. Foundation. Clavey and his wife, C.J., live with their children in Angels Camp.

Doug is retired from a successful career as the owner and manager of Fischer Industrial Finishing Systems. Serving California and Nevada, his business designed, installed and serviced liquid and powder coating paint systems.   He is an avid canoer, hiker, backpacker, camper, photographer, and winemaker. Doug lives near Pine Grove with his wife, Nancy.

“We’re very happy to have Doug and Clavey join our board,” said Foothill Conservancy President Katherine Evatt. “Clavey was born and raised in Calaveras County, so he knows and understands local and Mokelumne River issues. He brings not only a great knowledge and love of the outdoors to our board, but solid business skills and a family heritage of river conservation. Doug also brings us solid business skills, a love of the Sierra foothills, nonprofit event experience, and many talents that will help us become a stronger and more sustainable organization.”

In addition to Laurie, Clavey, Doug and Katherine, the Foothill Conservancy board includes Vice-President Pete Bell of Volcano, Marta Johnson and Bob Leitzell of Mokelumne Hill, Susan Bragstad of Amador City, and Kelsi Himmel of Volcano.

For more information, contact Cecily Smith at 209-223-3508.   end