Honored Alumni Awards 2016 and 2017
2017
Ted Emrick
Attended Cuesta: 1981-1984, 1987, 1992, 1993
A well-known contemporary multi-media painter and sculptor, Ted holds three associate degrees from Cuesta College (general studies, two-dimensional art, and three-dimensional art) as well as a Bachelor’s in Fine Art Degree from San Francisco’s Art Institute. Today, Ted resides in Los Osos and runs his own art studio, Emrick Studios.
Jim Gregory
Attended Cuesta: 1971-1973
Jim taught American literature, modern world literature, cultural anthropology, U.S. history, and European history for 30 years at Mission College Preparatory and Arroyo Grande High School. Since his retirement, Jim has written two books on South County History; World War II Arroyo Grande and Patriot Graves: Discovering a California Town’s Civil War Heritage.
Frank Mecham
Attended Cuesta: 1965, 1990
Frank began working in the public sector in 1996 as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Paso Robles, was elected to the City of Paso Robles as a Council Member in 1998, and then as the first elected mayor for the City of Paso Robles in 2000. He served as mayor for eight years. Frank then represented District One on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2016.
2016
Brandon Bond
Attended Cuesta: 1993-1995
Current administrative director of Stanford Health Care, and the Stanford Children’s Health, Office of Emergency Management, Brandon Bond is a Certified Business Continuity Professional and serves as the Safety Officer and Emergency Medical Technician on the U.S. Public Health Services, Bay Area Disaster Medical Assistance Team. He has an extensive history of responding to natural disasters, including the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, and hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Katrina and Rita.
John Alan Connerley
Attended Cuesta: 1973-1980
Former U.S. diplomatic corps Foreign Service officer, legislative assistant to a U.S. Congressman, and Cuesta College instructor. Currently, John Connerley is a Central Coast small business owner specializing in music, entertainment and public relations.
Leonard Grant
Attended Cuesta: 1983-1986
As the principal of RRM Design Group, Leonard Grant has over 20 years of experience as an architect in San Luis Obispo County. Grant is a member of the local and state chapters of the American Institute of Architects, the Home Builders Association, the Arroyo Grande Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Dale Gomer
Attended Cuesta: 1966-1968
Current president of Paso Robles Waste & Recycling, longtime Central Coast resident and leader in environmental responsibility. Dale Gomer played football for Cuesta College, transferred to UCSB with a football scholarship, served as an Army Airborne Medic, and became general manager of the family business in 1984.