Pictured above is former Board Chair John Shirey (left) holding an award with current Board Chair Chandra Chilmakuri (right).
Two of the longest serving Conservancy Board Chairs have ended their Board of Directors service to the Conservancy following the conclusion of their final three-year appointed terms.
David Christophel served on the Board for 23 years, with 11 of those years as Board Chair. David is a lifelong wildlife biologist and provided extraordinary leadership during his time on the Conservancy Board of Directors. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Board member in the Conservancy’s history.
John Shirey served on the Board for seven years, with five of those years as Board Chair. John was instrumental in helping the Conservancy work with local government to expand Conservancy mitigation land holdings. His leadership was especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic and in keeping the Conservancy’s preserves productive for the HCPs’ “Covered Species” during the worst multi-year drought in modern California history.
Both David and John were City of Sacramento appointees and were elected multiple times to chair the Board of Directors by their peer Board members. Their leadership was recognized at the Conservancy’s February 7th, 2024, Board of Directors meeting.
