position of being on the board of directors?
Mike Wonzong graduated from Gilroy High in 1985. It wasn’ t until 2009 that he was recruited by 2010 Garlic Festival President Greg Bozzo( his across-thestreet neighbor) to work utilities on the Wednesday before the Festival. He did such a good job that following the Festival he was named Chair. Soon thereafter, his wife, Jennifer, became the Chair of the Children’ s Area. Mike feels that the board functions well with a good mix of expertise. He considers himself a fiscal conservative alongside Past President Randy Costa, currently on the board. He appreciates the leadership of President Dennis Harrigan and the goal-setting process that Dennis put into place at the beginning of his term. While working utilities, he got to know a lot of the other volunteers which he feels is essential in making a team function effectively. Mike feels good that the Festival is an opportunity to give back to the community.
I have known new board member Deanna
Franklin for many years. Her first volunteer assignment started at age 7 working with her mother, Jody Ornellas, and long time volunteer Carl Swank in volunteer hospitality. She cleaned tables and later sold programs for Gilroy High Field Hockey. Like many of us, Deanna sees it as a family affair. Her sons, as well as husband, Dave, are all totally committed to the Festival.
Deanna says there is a lot to know about the inner workings of the Festival. The retreat at the beginning of her term was very helpful in understanding the role of Strategic Planning— Past Presidents, the Advisory Board and the Festival Board of Directors. She feels that her four years on the Cook Off Stage, as well as being involved with Leadership Gilroy and serving as President of the Gilroy Rotary Club, were significant in preparing her for her job on the Festival Board of Directors. The environment of the board is trusting and comfortable which makes it suitable for open discussion.
Bob Deal recruited Mike
Zukowski to work parking 20 years ago, and there he stayed. He was Associate Pastor at South Valley Community Church; thus the source of many volunteers. Mike’ s gratification is to see those who started at a young age are now the leaders. The money raised on that one weekend a year has provided an opportunity for young people to experience growth, education and new experiences. Mike sees the Garlic Festival as a phase of community building that builds an immune system that makes for a healthy environment. He feels that the essence of a healthy community is the inter-connectedness of its people and the organizations they represent and the programs that are created and maintained. Mike’ s expertise in parking is invaluable as home development continues around the Festival grounds and the need for additional parking is essential to the Festival’ s success. As we all know, garlic, as a regular part of our diet, makes for a healthy body; the teamwork of the volunteers and the organizations make for a healthy community.
Judy Lazarus moved to Gilroy from Salinas in 1987. She basically didn’ t know anyone when she volunteered to work in garlic bread. She then worked nine years in the Children’ s Area. She was mentored by 2003 Garlic Festival President Janie Mardesich. She was Garlic Festival President in 2007. This year, she was appointed to the Board by President Dennis Harrigan to serve one-year as liaison to Gourmet Alley.
Judy is another example of the Board’ s ability to support the committees and staff during the Festival. Her work with the Gilroy Foundation is an asset to the Festival board. She brings energy and history of community service to the board and gets great satisfaction from her time served. Her goal when she left Salinas was to be closer to home in Sunnyvale. Now she says“ I can’ t see living any place but Gilroy because it is pure joy.”
Randy Costa was President in 1999. He is now back on the Board after being selected by his peers of past presidents for a two-year term. Randy says that the Garlic Festival is no different than running a business. He and his brother, Steve, along with Don and Bill Christopher are partners in Headstart Nurseries. One of Randy’ s first jobs at the Festival was picking up a food writer at the airport. He also worked in the Christopher Ranch booth selling garlic
S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 61