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