Celebrating Delta Champions Since 2022
NOMINATE A DELTA CHAMPION!
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 2026 will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10 at a dinner in Isleton.
Delta Champion 2026 nominations are due by July 3, 2026.
Please complete the following nomination form.
Delta Champions 2022-2025
2025 Delta Champion Awardees
Left to right: Steve Mello – Delta Improver; Michael Torres and Stacia Olson (Rio Vista Bass Derby) – Delta Promoter; Clarence Chu – Delta Lifetime Achievement; Mary Ellen Burns (Sacramento River Delta Historical Society) – Delta Preserver; Bob Nunn (Nunn Family) – Delta Legacy Family
2024 Delta Champion Awardees
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
