David Krause, Ralph De Leon, Pierre Tada and Kris Beal were recently honored with leadership awards by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF).

David Krause was presented with the 2011 Honorary Fellow Award, which recognizesan individual who has demonstrated consistent commitment and uncommon excellence in the furtherance of education and leadership in California agriculture. Recipients are dedicated supporters of the Ag Leadership Program. Krause is president of Paramount Citrus. He has served in prominent leadership positions in the agriculture industry and has been a member of the CALF board of directors since 2007.

Ralph De Leon, Pierre Tada and Kris Beal were presented with the 2011 Profiles in Leadership Award. The award recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for their leadership actions resulting in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

De Leon is the board chair and interim CEO of Santa Clara Valley Bank. He is a Class 1 alumnus who has a lifetime of leadership and service to agriculture and his community. Tada is principal and founder of Granite Peak Partners. He is a Class 22 alumnus who has shown a strong commitment to agriculture, his community and the CALF board of directors. Beal is the executive director of the Central Coast Vineyard Team. She is a Class 31 alumna who is an outstanding leader for Central Coast agriculture and sustainable vineyard practices.

CALF operates the Ag Leadership Program, which is considered to be one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States.Since it was first delivered in 1970, more than 1,100 men and women have participated in the program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, government, communities, business and education.