Paul Parreira, Sr.; A California native, Paul Parreira is a third-generation farmer and Partner at Parreira Almond Processing and RPAC Almonds. His farming experience has included row crops, wheat, tomatoes, cantaloupe, almonds and livestock management. He currently oversees business development, sustainability, research and innovation. Paul is involved with a number of innovative start-up companies as well as almond co-product research. Paul is a California Agriculture Leadership Program alumnus, Class 44.

Cannon Michael is the President/CEO of Bowles Farming Company. He is the 6th generation of his family to work in the family farming business. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Cannon joined the company in 1998. Cannon became the President and CEO in 2014 after his uncle Philip Bowles retired. Cannon is an advocate for California agriculture and intelligent water policy. Environmental stewardship, ethical treatment of workers and sustainable production are core values for Cannon and the Bowles Farming Company team. The farm grows 20+ crops and employs both conventional and organic farming practices.

Cannon is active and engaged in California water and agriculture issues – he serves as the Chairman of the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority, as a director on the Water Education Foundation Board, as a director on the San Luis Canal Company Board, as a director on the Henry Miller Reclamation District Board, as the president of the San Luis Resource Conservation District Board, advisory board member for UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI), advisor to Terravion and WaterBit (two technology startup companies), as a director for the Family Farm Alliance, as Treasurer for the Exchange Contractors PAC, as a director of the Cotton Incorporated Board, and as director and past chairman of the California Cotton Growers Association. He was also appointed by Governor Brown to the Merced County Designated Local Authority, a governing board responsible for winding down the affairs of dissolved local redevelopment agencies in Merced and Los Banos. He also serves in an advisory capacity for three family-run farming/processing companies in the Central Valley.

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Dr. Lester Freeman, M.D., F.A.A.P. - born and raised for part of his childhood in Harlem, New York City, but relocated to Laurelton, Queens where he spent the rest of his formative years. Ever since he was five years old, he wanted to become not only a physician, but a pediatrician. He was always interested in medicine and did well in math and science. Dr. Freeman graduated from one of the most prestigious high schools, not only the state of New York, but in the United States, Brooklyn Technical High School. He graduated from New York University and graduated from UNDNJ-Rutgers Medical School and did his pediatric residency training there, as well. He has always sympathized with the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, the children. Dr. Freeman’s goal is to make sure they get the best pediatric care possible. It’s a lifelong responsibility that he fully enjoys, yet takes very seriously. 
Dr. Freeman has desired to be a pediatrician since the age of 5. One year during the Christmas season, Dr. Freeman’s father asked him a question he had never been asked before, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” He looked away confused until his father pulled him close and whispered in his ear, “doctor or lawyer?” Dr. Freeman yelled, “DOCTOR!” His father cheered, and then asked, “What kind of doctor?” Reflexively, he answered, “A baby doctor—one that takes care of kids!” Every year, his father would ask him that same question until it stuck.
Dr. Freeman’s motivation stems from his fundamental love for both children and pediatric medicine. His daily goals include educating his patients and their families about pediatric health, and inspiring as many children and adolescents as he possibly can to become interested in pursuing a career in medicine.”

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Marion L. Shuck is Vice President of Governmental and External Relations at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, as well as serving as the President of, the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantations.  In both roles, Marion specializes in building key partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with communities, business leaders, legislators, hospitals, faith-based organizations, and industry partners.  Her most important role is advocating for donor families and marginalized communities, while increasing opportunities for organ and tissue donation through education and outreach. 

Deborah Braxton was born in New York City and raised on Long Island. She currently lives in Southlake, Texas. Deborah received her BA at Dartmouth College and her MBA at Wharton Graduate School of Business.  Deborah lived in Chicago, Illinois for 25 years. She was married for 24 years and widowed in 2014.  She has two working adult children, who are both college graduates.  Deborah has a professional career in Consumer & B-to-B Marketing and has established a fellowship at Wharton in honor of her late husband.  Deborah interests includes travel, cooking, tennis, golf, and languages.

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Kipp Harris was born and raised in Kenmare, North Dakota - a small town 17 miles south of the Canadian border. After spending five years in undergraduate school at Dana College, he started pharmacy school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Life, however, had a different road planned and so he left graduate school and found his way to a pharmacy software company. After working his way up the corporate ladder from trainer to sales rep to regional manager, he found himself in California where he oversaw operations at three regional offices on the west coast for an east coast-based company. Additionally, he managed to travel and see the world and discover the diversity which had seemed lacking in his small hometown. In 2004, after a day of mountain biking in Northern California, he suddenly ended up in an emergency room and later a post-surgical hospital bed only to get news of his first cancer diagnosis. That moment -- and the years that would follow -- are the well-spring of this book. Since 2004, Kipp has endured three surgeries, three successive bouts of chemotherapy and three surprising journeys with cancer. His message is simple. Joy occurs in the most unexpected places if you are intentional and look for it. He also believes that every person has an amazing ability to everyday touch and change other's lives. Being cancer-free since December 2007, he now works as a real estate agent in Fargo. He looks for the moments of connection with clients and loves sharing this emotional part of the transaction. Deeply connecting with people is his life's journey now.

Noah Dingley is the host of Across The County, interviewing guests that impact the San Diego community as a whole; sometimes these issues are local non-profits doing good throughout the county and other times they are national issues that also can directly impact our fine city. Noah has a passion for kids, being a father himself. He loves to talk about anything that can benefit the life of a child. He often likes to use the phrase, “It’s about what matters locally to you”.

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Marlynne Frierson Cooley - a Cleveland Ohio native. Graduated from the University of Cincinnati in broadcasting, a postgraduate in theater from the University of Akron. Her recent TV credits include, "Daddy Stop embarrassing me" on Jamie Fox TV show on Netflix making the debut in the month of April. "Bless This Mess" a show on ABC and “This Is Us”. Some of her recent theater credits include The S.U.G.A MAMAS ,The lynching of Elfie Childs, Blessings, Supernatural, and Harriett Tubman one woman show and many more plays. Her recent film credits include," Trade, I am too an American, Jamie, and It's not Black enough'' and other films. She teaches spoken word and theater. Marlynne is also a voice over talent for radio and TV. She produces and narrates audio books; she just finished The Worldwide Concern about Alzheimer’s disease. Marlynne is a loving wife and mother.

Gwen Wright - a writer, director, and actress who started her career at the Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio. She has written several screen and stage plays and her work has been on stages across the US. She has completed three films and has collaborated with filmmakers as a writer and director. She is currently in pre-production for her short film, Judgement and Miss Rosetta. She was nominated best playwright for her work, A word Before Dying and her play Voices of Motown has been running at the Paramount Theater in Casa Grande for more than a year. Gwen is a Psychology Major, and she earned her undergrad degree from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s from University of Arizona.

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