Strawberry Festival appoints new director

The all-volunteer executive board of the California Strawberry Festival recently appointed Patrick Mullin to serve as interim volunteer festival director for the 2009 festival.

After leaving his position as general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Oxnard, Mullin will begin serving as festival director in January, following the departure of Bonnie Weigel, who recently joined FOOD Share as chief executive officer.

"We're very pleased to have Patrick help move us forward with our 26th annual festival celebration," said festival chair Billy Belcher. "His expertise, generosity and leadership are valuable assets, and after serving on the board since 2007, he's already well versed on the festival's planning process."

Since his arrival in Oxnard in 2001, Mullin has served as president of the Rotary Club of Oxnard and remains an active board member. As a former chair of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, he earned Man of the Year honors and is an active board member in addition to serving as former vice chair and board member of the Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau and California Welcome Center.

The California Strawberry Festival is scheduled for May 16 and 17 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard. For more information and advanced tickets, call (888) 288-9242 or visit www.strawberry-fest.org.