Press Release

10/17/2014

The California Rodeo Association added two new Directors to the Board during the annual Stockholders Dinner and Meeting on October 16th. The two Directors are Kathy Donnelly, who chairs the Bull X-ing Committee, and Pat Hitchcock who chairs the Director’s Patio Barbecue Committee. These individuals both have extensive experience at the California Rodeo Salinas and have been exemplary volunteers. Their full biographies are below.

The night also consisted of the unveiling of the 2015 Commemorative Poster painted by local artist Laurie Myers. As an artist, she is self-taught. Laurie has a special style that incorporates an impressionist approach to a very realistic subject matter. She lives on a ranch and is surrounded by horses, cowboy gear and Skip, a true cowboy. They all inspire her every painting. She has only to look out her window forever changing subjects and light. Laurie says, “We travel many trails, full of joys and sorrows. When you cross mine I hope I can bring a moment of happiness.” The posters will be available for sale in the California Rodeo Office at 1034 N. Main St. in Salinas soon. Visit www.carodeo.com to check for availability.


New Directors

Kathy Donnelly
Kathy Donnelly is a lifelong resident of Salinas. She says she fell in love with the Rodeo as a child, “Every year we would get all dressed up in our best western wear, we watched and participated in the Kiddie Kapers Parade; the excitement of sitting on the curb of Main Street watching the horse parade followed by my grandfather taking me and my cousins to the Rodeo was the highlight of my summer!” Kathy was excited to become an official Rodeo Committee Member assisting in the beer booths in 1999. She was appointed Chairman of the Bull X-ing Committee in 2009. One of Kathy’s proudest moments has been sharing her love of the California Rodeo with her daughter, Kimberly, who became a volunteer herself in 2009. Kathy also has a son, Christopher and two grandsons. When Kathy isn’t working, she divides her time between the California Rodeo, Paso Robles, and hanging out with her grandsons.

Pat Hitchcock
Pat is proud of his Danish heritage and his family roots date back to the 1800’s with his family being involved predominantly in the local agriculture industry with some ties to cattle ranching. His first memories of the Rodeo go back to his “Uncle” Jack Hitchcock who was involved in communications; Pat tagged along covering about every inch of the Rodeo Grounds and loving every minute. Pat first joined the Sponsor Hospitality Committee in 2000, and at the encouragement of his cousin Jerry Carlsen, asked to join the Director’s Patio Barbecue Committee in 2007. Pat has chaired that committee for the past 2 years. He enjoys the year-round involvement with the community and says it is a very rewarding part of his life. Pat is a proud father and grandfather to his daughter Jessica and grandchildren Colter and Payton Zobel. Away from work and the Rodeo, he enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing or taking a nap under an oak tree.



The California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2015. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns between $200,000 and $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.