After a globetrotting childhood (courtesy of a Navy dad), Kaiser Permanente Area Public Affairs Director Carl Campbell seems to have settled nicely. He came to Santa Rosa in the 1970s and, after various public relations and advertising positions—including owning/operating Campbell and Associates, an award-winning advertising and public relations firm in town—accepted “the perfect job” with Kaiser 12 years ago.
A San Diego State graduate (bachelors in speech arts with an emphasis in radio/TV broadcasting), Campbell is an avid fly fisherman who claims some of his happiest life moments were, “Witnessing [at different times] my wife, oldest son and two grandsons catch—and release—their first Steelhead trout.”
Share a favorite childhood memory.
I was never very athletic, but I once pitched a no-hitter…until one out in the last inning (ended up with a one-hitter). I was awarded with my one and only high school athletic letter in baseball.
How competitive are you?
I’m definitely competitive in sports, but in business I find it more rewarding to seek mutually beneficial solutions through collaboration and consensus.
I’m definitely competitive in sports, but in business I find it more rewarding to seek mutually beneficial solutions through collaboration and consensus.
Where’s your favorite place to be?
Lewiston, California (go to Redding, turn left and drive for 40 minutes). The tiny town, right on the Trinity River, has been my favorite place to fly fish for Steelhead trout for 25 years. We stay at a wonderful cabin on the fly fishing, catch-and-release section of the river. I have many wonderful memories there.
Lewiston, California (go to Redding, turn left and drive for 40 minutes). The tiny town, right on the Trinity River, has been my favorite place to fly fish for Steelhead trout for 25 years. We stay at a wonderful cabin on the fly fishing, catch-and-release section of the river. I have many wonderful memories there.
Do you have a pet?
I have a wire-haired dachshund named Fritz who is very cool. He always greets me enthusiastically, loves everyone and is well-behaved (mostly). The grandkids love him, and he thinks everyone that visits has come especially to see him. But whatever you do, do not say the words “b-a-l-l” or “e-a-t,” because if you do, he’ll give you no peace!
I have a wire-haired dachshund named Fritz who is very cool. He always greets me enthusiastically, loves everyone and is well-behaved (mostly). The grandkids love him, and he thinks everyone that visits has come especially to see him. But whatever you do, do not say the words “b-a-l-l” or “e-a-t,” because if you do, he’ll give you no peace!
Have you kept any mementos from childhood?
Although I haven’t collected stamps in decades, I still have old stamp albums from the fourth grade. It all started when my favorite teacher, Mrs. A. B. Condor, would let me choose a few stamps from a box if I would be quiet all day and not cause any trouble. Do you know how hard that was?!
Although I haven’t collected stamps in decades, I still have old stamp albums from the fourth grade. It all started when my favorite teacher, Mrs. A. B. Condor, would let me choose a few stamps from a box if I would be quiet all day and not cause any trouble. Do you know how hard that was?!
What do you do to get yourself out of a bad mood?
Usually a nap will do it, or a long walk. Sometimes a long talk with a good friend does the trick.
Usually a nap will do it, or a long walk. Sometimes a long talk with a good friend does the trick.
What are your friendships based on?
Most of my friendships began because of some history together, such as high school or college, or started from business relationships or similar interests, such as golf or fly fishing. For me, some of the traits that make them grow and last are a quick sense of humor, a nonjudgmental attitude, a wide range of interests, curiosity, a laid back demeanor and a shared appreciation of companionable silence.
Most of my friendships began because of some history together, such as high school or college, or started from business relationships or similar interests, such as golf or fly fishing. For me, some of the traits that make them grow and last are a quick sense of humor, a nonjudgmental attitude, a wide range of interests, curiosity, a laid back demeanor and a shared appreciation of companionable silence.
What items do you currently have stored in the trunk of your car?
My golf clubs. I want to be ready to go if I get an invitation to play, plus I keep thinking I’ll find the time to go to the driving range and practice. Right! They’ve only been out of the trunk twice so far this year.
My golf clubs. I want to be ready to go if I get an invitation to play, plus I keep thinking I’ll find the time to go to the driving range and practice. Right! They’ve only been out of the trunk twice so far this year.
What movies have you watched over and over again?
Once is pretty much enough for me, although I have watched “A River Runs Through It” a few times.
Once is pretty much enough for me, although I have watched “A River Runs Through It” a few times.
What was the last book you read?
I just finished Nowhere to Run by C.J. Box and A Night Too Dark by Dana Stabenow. If you like good mysteries with rich descriptions of the locale and life in their respective settings—rural Wyoming and Alaska—you’ll find them difficult to put down. Both authors are very engaging, and I often read their books in virtually one sitting.
I just finished Nowhere to Run by C.J. Box and A Night Too Dark by Dana Stabenow. If you like good mysteries with rich descriptions of the locale and life in their respective settings—rural Wyoming and Alaska—you’ll find them difficult to put down. Both authors are very engaging, and I often read their books in virtually one sitting.
What’s your favorite wine?
Zinfandel is definitely my favorite. There are so many wonderful Zins in Sonoma County that it’s difficult to choose a favorite, but winemaker Carol Shelton makes some outstanding ones. I really enjoy Wilson Winery Zins (especially Carl’s Vineyard, of course), and I recently discovered J. Keverson Winery—very tasty!
Zinfandel is definitely my favorite. There are so many wonderful Zins in Sonoma County that it’s difficult to choose a favorite, but winemaker Carol Shelton makes some outstanding ones. I really enjoy Wilson Winery Zins (especially Carl’s Vineyard, of course), and I recently discovered J. Keverson Winery—very tasty!
What’s your favorite season?
Spring. Specifically, the last Saturday in April, which is the day trout fishing season opens for rivers and streams all over the state. I often don’t even fish that first weekend, but there’s something about the ceremonial beginning of a new fly fishing season. Even if I’ve been fishing several times during the winter months, it feels like it’s time to a organize my flies, check and maintain my equipment, and plan and anticipate the next trip.
Spring. Specifically, the last Saturday in April, which is the day trout fishing season opens for rivers and streams all over the state. I often don’t even fish that first weekend, but there’s something about the ceremonial beginning of a new fly fishing season. Even if I’ve been fishing several times during the winter months, it feels like it’s time to a organize my flies, check and maintain my equipment, and plan and anticipate the next trip.
