Delta Champions

Celebrating Delta Champions Since 2022

Delta Leadership Foundation recognizes Delta Champions in the following categories:

Delta Preserver – Achievement in historical or environmental preservation

Delta Promoter – Achievement in tourism, agriculture, education, commerce, and/or the arts

Delta Improver – Achievement in Delta health, community, and/or quality of life

Delta Legacy Family – A family that has contributed to the Delta for at least 100 years through multi-generational professional and volunteer activities that have enhanced the quality of life of the region.

Delta Lifetime Achievement – Lifetime achievement in preservation, protection and promotion of the Delta

DELTA CHAMPIONS 2025 will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 9 at a dinner in Thornton.  The 2025 Delta Champions are:

Delta Preserver – Sacramento River Delta Historical Society
Delta Promoter – Rio Vista Bass Derby
Delta Improver – Steve Mello

Delta Legacy Family – The Nunn Family of Contra Costa County
Delta Lifetime Achievement – Clarence Chu

Tickets to the dinner are $65 and can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/B98WAA

For ticket purchases of 6 or more, please contact Erik Vink at 530-304-5499

 

 

 

2024 Delta Champion Awardees

Left to right: Lisa Hechtman (Rio Vista Food Pantry) – Delta Improver; Matt Lehtonen (Pear Fair) – Delta Promoter; Bill Dutra (Dutra Family) – Delta Legacy Family; Russell van Loben Sels – Delta Preserver; Gilbert Labrie – Delta Lifetime Achievement

2023 Delta Champion Awardees

Left to right: Suzanne Black and Jean Yokotobi (Isleton Chamber of Commerce) – Delta Innovator; Dante Nomellini Jr. and Thomas Zuckerman – Delta Lifetime Achievement; Chantelle Leighton (daughter of posthumous awardee Kathy Leighton) – Delta Preserver; Rich Turner – Delta Promoter; Don Nottoli – Delta Improver

2022 Delta Champion Awardees

Left to right: Brady Whitlow (son-in-law of posthumous awardee Dino Cortopassi) – Delta Preserver; Tom Surh (RioVision) – Delta Innovator; Dr. Henry Go – Delta Lifetime Achievement; Trevor Carlson (grandson of posthumous awardee Dino Cortopassi) – Delta Preserver; Barbara Barrigan-Parilla (Restore the Delta) – Delta Improver; Bill Wells – Delta Promoter