Golden chairs United Way of Ventura County

Ron Golden, vice president of First American Title, assumed the duties of chairman of the board for the United Way of Ventura County on July 1. He will serve in this capacity until June 30, 2008. Golden succeeds David Fowble, owner of Trophies, Etc. in Camarillo. The volunteer board is comprised of 34 business owners, career professionals, community volunteers and retirees.

Other new United Way officers for 2007-08 include chair-elect Leanna Neilson, associate provost at California Lutheran University; Vice Chair Wally Bobkiewicz, city manager for Santa Paula; Treasurer William W. Wilson, a retired bank executive and overseer of citrus and avocado operations in the county; and Secretary Irma Lopez, a longtime community activist.

New members added to the board are Kay WilsonBolton, the owner/broker of Century 21 Buena Vista in Santa Paula; Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, who represents the 2nd District in Thousand Oaks; Madeline Hess, the community relations director for SAGE Publications in Thousand Oaks; and William Burrato, president and CEO of the Ventura County Economic Development in Camarillo.

During their tenure, members of the board will determine policies, procedures and regulations for the conduct of the United Way as well as help raise funds to finance the organization and its programs.

The United Way of Ventura County was established in 1945. For information, call (805) 485-6288 or visit the website www.vcunitedway.org.