Inspiring guides. Empathetic and clear communicators. Men and women who are dedicated to their people and their cause by collaborating with their teams to resolve problems that others could not solve. These are the skills necessary for superb leadership.
Others who’ve written on this matter might insist that great leaders need to also innovate in times of crisis and have a consistent vision for their organizations. They, of course, would be correct.
These attributes and more were in full view last month alongside 300-plus folks at our 35th annual Best of the North Bay Awards event, held May 23 among the oak trees, fire pits, fine wines, cheeses, snacks and live music at Sally Tomatoes Catering and Events in Rohnert Park.
It was, simply put, a spectacular night on a gorgeous evening. Holding court alongside the five-piece Neon Velvet band was the decades-long star of Broadway’s Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and known for the iconic role of “Mr. J. Peterman” of TV’s Seinfeld, John O’Hurley. John graciously entertained and hosted us for the evening, humbly referring to himself as “The Grim Reaper of television sitcoms” for his role in “killing” over a dozen TV shows that viewers would be hard pressed to even remember.
Yet the audience knew better, especially the true leaders in attendance. They understood John’s demureness as a technique they might often use with their own in-office “audiences”; a technique to move the spotlight away from themselves and place it over those they seek to guide and influence. And, believe me, the place was chock-full of leaders that evening, led by those from our newly minted class of Best of the North Bay Hall of Fame companies—those businesses that have repeatedly topped our readers’ poll over the years—whose influence within their companies and their communities has persuaded for decades as well!
****
As we kick off the summer months, this issue is dedicated to topics around local businesses that draw North Bay residents into the great outdoors. In fact, our cover story brings us into the great outdoors—and beyond.
The Robert Ferguson Observatory in Kenwood has been pointing its scopes at the celestial beyond for more than 25 years. This month, writer Bo Kearns aims his lens back at RFO, as the nonprofit’s staff, volunteer astronomers and community stargazers weigh in on the history and legacy of late Petaluma resident Robert Ferguson and the incredible community asset that now bears his name.
While RFO is focused on an expanding universe, reporter Jessica Zimmer looks into a growing business closer to home—agritourism.
Agritourism is turning into quite a revenue-stream-earning side hustle for farms and ranches looking to take advantage of wine country tourism—and the public’s never-quenching thirst for back-to-the-land experiences—by hosting day tours, ranch stays, fruit-picking experiences and outdoor ag workshops. We may not want to know exactly “how the sausage is made,” but the rest of ranch life is proving pretty popular.
Finally, writer Judith Wilson offers a top-down view of Sonoma County and the canopy of ziplining businesses in the 707—offering everything from individual group fun to company retreats to school-kid character building. But making a living zipping people hundreds of feet across deep, rocky crevasses demands its share of business savvy—such as finding the proper insurance, safety training and clearing regulatory hurdles. Running a ziplining business is indeed a hire-wire act.
