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
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
