Red Badge Biographies
It's always a pleasure and a treat to hear the tales of our newest members. Today's Red Badge Biographies feature Randall Leonard and Ross McClenahan.
A second generation Santa Cruzian, Randall was raised and still lives on the Westside.
He's the proud product of Bayview, Mission Hill and SCHS and he credits his dad (who suffered a near fatal fishing accident on the day of Randall's birth - what was he doing fishing on the day of his son's birth, you ask?) for his love of fishing, cars, and his appreciation for the value of always putting family first.
Where does one go from being City Champion Marble Player at age 8? How about Prom King with Prom Queen and future wife Barbara; to raising 2 great kids (Jeff who owns a local tile business and Kimberly who's in Law Enforcement in Lodi); to a successful 34 year career with the County Appraiser's Office; to celebrating 40 years of marriage this year. Randall now works with his Rotary sponsor, Bruce McGuire and appears to still be raising hell and having some serious fun!
Ross McClenahan, was born in Colorado Springs to a Math Teacher mom and Antique Dealer dad. Besides his parents and sister, he credits his grandmother with being a big influence during his youth. Her life as a philanthropist, traveler and influential business woman had a lasting impact on Ross. He fondly recollects those lost days of youth spent as a paperboy, working for the March of Dimes and impressing those around him with his skills as a magician.
Ross attended the U. of Colorado (go Buffalos!) receiving his BA in '96. He moved to Santa Cruz in '02 and worked for a small freight forwarding company. He returned to school finishing his MA at SJS in '03 and soon joined Drew Miller Insurance Services.
Ross specializes in writing life and disability policies and truly enjoys the problem solving challenges required to provide the absolute best service for his clients. Ross met his wife Robin Dunkin with typical Santa Cruz style... at the dog beach. Robin is in a Biology PhD program studying & working at Long Marine Lab. Aside from running his dog at the beach, Ross' hobbies include web design and photography. Sounds like a future Rotary newsletters editor to me!