How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
LAKEPORT – Paul Conrado of Ukiah is the newest member of the Mendocino College Foundation Board of Directors.
The Foundation Board confirmed Conrado’s membership and welcomed him earlier this month during a meeting at the College’s Lake Center in Lakeport.
Directors also approved a new fiscal year budget and adopted a policy for a “President’s Circle” donation recognition program.
Conrado brings seven years of experience on a governing board from his involvement with Project Sanctuary, an agency providing shelter to abused women and children, as well as counseling, legal direction, advocacy, and community education in the prevention of domestic violence.
He has broad business experience, having worked as a corporate executive and a small business owner.
In his letter of interest to the Foundation Board, Conrado expressed his desire to help individuals with their intent to go to college.
“If I am chosen to join in the good work of the Mendocino College Foundation, I will consider myself fortunate in being able to contribute to the continuing education and scholarship of deserving candidates who are in need of assistance, as I was,” he stated, noting that he had received tuition assistance to attend a private grammar and high school in Santa Cruz.
He also was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Santa Clara, where he earned a civil engineering degree. He later obtained his masters degree in civil engineering/construction management at Stanford.
Conrado’s military (second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and work experience in international construction management took him to many foreign countries during his career. They included France, Lebanon, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, England, China and Vietnam.
In 1995 he moved to Mendocino County, having purchased a farm where he has a 10-acre vineyard of Zinfandel grapes. He volunteers his time to Project Sanctuary. He joined the organization’s board in December 2001 and has served as Facilities Committee chair and Finance Committee vice chair.
As a new director of the Mendocino College Foundation, Conrado cast his vote along with the other members of the board for approval of the foundation’s budget for fiscal year 2009-10. With asset values totaling more than $6.3 million, the foundation anticipates providing more than $200,000 in scholarships and support to college programs, according to the budget figures presented by Finance Committee chair Gary Smith.
The Foundation is in its 25th year of service to the College. The majority of funding for scholarships is derived from donations to the foundation and from fundraising events such as the annual Gala on the Green, scheduled to take place Sept. 12 this year.
Support provided by the foundation includes funding for college programs as recommended by the administrators and for career and technical education programs.
To recognize significant contributions to the Foundation and its programs, the board adopted a President’s Circle policy during its June meeting. In accordance with the policy, individuals who donate $2,500 or more in any fiscal year, beginning with 2008/2009, are honored with annual membership to the Circle.
Lifetime membership is granted to individuals who have contributed more than $25,000 since the inception of the foundation.
The foundation will recognize the lifetime members with plaques to be displayed on campus. Circle members will be honored at a President’s Circle reception and dinner, and members will enjoy other benefits as well.
For additional information about the Mendocino College Foundation, its programs, and ways to give to the Foundation, call the office at 707-467-1018 or email the Foundations’ Director of Development Mark DeMeulenaere at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
