 |
|
Board of Directors
|
Mr. Bob Kramer
President & Chairman of the Board,
Community Director
Bob Kraemer is a retired food processing executive.
He and his family have lived in Gilroy for 35 years. He has been
heavily involved in community and youth activities including sports
and as a Boy Scout Leader. He is a two term past President of the
Leadership Gilroy Board; a member of the Gilroy |
|
| Foundation
Board; active in Rotary; as well as a member of the Gilroy Chamber
of Commerce and the Gilroy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Bob served for 5 years on the Gilroy Unified School
District Board of Trustees including a year as President. He led a successful
campaign for a $69 million school facility bond. Bob is an original member
of the Bonfante Gardens community-based board. His goal is to ensure the
Park remains financially sound while retaining Michael Bonfante's horticultural/educational
vision for the Park. Bob appreciates what he and his family have received
from the community and is dedicated to retaining the unique characteristics
of Gilroy. Bonfante Gardens is a signature area for the community which
provides an atmosphere that is beneficial to our youth and a positive experience
for our families. This is what drives Bob in assuring the long term success
of Bonfante Gardens. |
Ms. Patti Hale
Secretary, Community Director
Patti Hale has lived and worked in the Gilroy Community
for 27 years. She has worked at Gilroy Foods/ConAgra since 1979,
working for all seven Presidents and as the Community Relations/Public
Relations Representative for many years. She is currently
working in the International Customer Service Department
serving |
|
| the European
Market. Patti has a long history of community service working
with the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce in various capacities: President from
1995-96, the Gilroy Garlic Festival since 1979, serving on various committees
and the Board of Directors. She was the Founding President of the Gilroy
Economic Development Corporation and remains active in their pursuits to
keep Gilroy a financially healthy city. Patti has served on the Bonfante
Gardens Board of Directors since the community-based Board was formed and
believes in the vision of Michael Bonfante and the benefits that Bonfante
Gardens can and will contribute to the community of Gilroy. Her favorite
area in the Park is Claudia's Garden. |
|
Mr. Michael Bonfante
Founder, Founding Donor Director
Prior to his full-time commitment to completing his 25-year dream
that now is Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park, he began his career
in the family supermarket business. Working with his dad and uncle,
the business grew from one store in 1961 to nine stores by 1977 when
suddenly, with the loss of his father, he became |
|
| its leader. Under his leadership the company grew to 27 supermarkets,
support facilities and 2,500 employees, with sales exceeding $375 million
by 1997. In order to reach his personal goal of the development of Bonfante
Gardens, he chose to sell the supermarket business. Michael Bonfante currently
owns and operates Bonfante Nurseries, Inc. also located on Hecker Pass
Hwy. |
|
Mr. Joel Goldsmith
Vice President,
Community Director
Joel Goldsmith is President and CEO of Goldsmith
Seeds, Inc., a worldwide leader in the development of new flower
varieties. His company is located one half mile east of Bonfante
Gardens on Hecker Pass. Joel has lived in Gilroy since 1962 when his
family moved here and started Goldsmith Seeds. Joel and
Goldsmith |
|
| Seeds are
very supportive of the Gilroy Community. Every year Goldsmith Seeds partners with Gilroy Rotary to host a very successful
flower sale that raises thousands of needed dollars for the community. Joel serves on the board of the Gilroy Visitor's Bureau, and recently
served as Chairman of the Hecker Pass Specific Plan Advisory committee and
helped develop a plan to preserve the agricultural nature of the Hecker
Pass area for future generations to enjoy. Joel's experiences in the flower
seed industry have shown him the benefits of gardening to a person's body
and soul. His favorite part of Bonfante Gardens is the gardens. He
particularly enjoys seeing the young people learning about the joys of plants. He became a board member in order to help preserve Michael's dream of a
place for people to learn about plants and trees in a fun and enjoyable
environment. |
|
Dr. Greg Martinez
Community Director
Greg Martinez has been a veterinarian in Gilroy for 24 years. He
has been active in the Gilroy Rotary, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce,
and teaching at Gilroy High School and Gavilan College. He also
enjoys working with kids because he experienced the positive effect
adult mentors can have in one's life. He is a self-proclaimed |
|
|
tree hugger and spends a lot of time appreciating the outdoors. His favorite area of the gardens is
Sycamore Bridge where people can experience all the things trees offer us - shade, oxygen and beauty. He hopes to enhance the education aspect of the
gardens and develop school programs for youth. He feels that Bonfante Gardens is a jewel that can bring families and nature together. |
|
Mr. John Kent
Community Director
John Kent was one of the original Bonfante Gardens board members. He is the president of Pacific Oak Properties, and is very active in
both the Gilroy and Morgan Hill communities including Gilroy Rotary, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, Gilroy Foundation, Gavilan College
Foundation, Morgan Hill Economic |
|
| Development Commission. He is very athletic and enjoys working with young people
coaching sports. Mr. Kent brings expertise in real estate, land and development
to the board. He hopes he can help Michael Bonfante realize his dreams
to bring families and trees together. His favorite area in the Park is
Claudia's Garden. |
|
Honorable Al Pinheiro, Mayor
City of Gilroy
Council Director
Al Pinheiro was appointed to the Board of Directors to represent
the City of Gilroy. He has lived in Gilroy for over 40 years and is
a graduate of Gilroy High School. He has been an active member of
the community for many years and his involvement includes President
of the Gilroy Chamber of |
|
| Commerce, Founding
President of the Gilroy Exchange Club, President of the I.F.D.E.S.
Lodge. He is currently the Mayor of Gilroy. |
|
 |
