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Charles A. Fanucchi was elected to the post of Chairman of the Board in September, 2003, following eight years as Vice Chairman. He has served on the Calcot Ltd. Board since 1991, representing the growers of Kern Lake Cooperative Gin.
Fanucchi succeeded W. Bruce Heiden of Buckeye, Ariz., and is the tenth chairman in the cooperative’s 76-year history.
Born in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1938, Fanucchi attended Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College. In 1960 he graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in agronomy. After college he returned to the family farm in the Kern Lake area of Bakersfield.
Fanucchi’s father, Joe, established their farming operation in the 1920s. Charles, his brothers Joe and Frank Fanucchi and five third-generation family members, one of whom is Charles’ daughter, currently manages the farm.
Fanucchi's other leadership positions include serving on the board of directors for Western Growers Association, Arvin-Edison Water storage District and Kern Lake Co-op Gin.
His past experience includes a 20-year affiliation with the California Beet Growers Association with a five-year stint as their president and serving as Chairman of Bakersfield Production Credit Association.
The Fanucchi family farms under the names of Poso Ridge and Tri-Fanucchi Farms. They produce not only cotton but also potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers, melons,wine grapes and almonds.
Charles and his wife, Charlotte, have a son, Chuck, a family counselor in Seattle, Washington; and a daughter, Catherine, who is a farmer.
Fanucchi is already looking to the fourth generation for his next recruits back to the farm. He believes Chuckâ€'s two sons, Dominic,6, and Sebastian, 4, make great prospects. | 