Ignazio Vella
Encyclopedia
Ignazio A. "Ig" Vella was an American businessman and cheese maker who served on the Sonoma County
Board of Supervisors.
.
He attended Sonoma Valley High School
, the San Rafael Military Academy, and Air Force Officer Candidate School. In 1950, he graduated magna cum laude
from Santa Clara University with bachelor's degree in history. His father owned Vella Cheese Company, Inc. in California and the Rogue Creamery in Oregon, which he turned over to his children. Ig took control of both companies and served as their general manager and chief executive officer
. He sold Rogue Creamery in 2002.
In addition, Vella served three terms (twelve years) on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, where he represented the First District. He also served on the Sonoma City Planning Commission and as manager of the Sonoma County Fair. During the 1970s, he served as president of the Association of Bay Area Governments
.
In 2006, Vella was honored by the City of Sonoma, which named the West Napa Street bridge over Sonoma Creek
after him. In the same year, the American Cheese Society recognized Vella with a Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to artisan cheese.
After a prolonged illness, Vella died at his home in Sonoma, aged 83.
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
Board of Supervisors.
Life, education, and career
Vella was born on July 13, 1928 to Gaetano "Tom" Vella and Zolita (Clerici) Vella of Sonoma, CaliforniaSonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
.
He attended Sonoma Valley High School
Sonoma Valley High School
Sonoma Valley High School is a high school located in Sonoma, California with approximately 1,350 students. Dino Battaglini, Principal. Kathleen Summers, Paul Tuohy, and Andrew Ryan, Vice Principals. Sonoma Valley High School is part of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.-Academics:Sonoma...
, the San Rafael Military Academy, and Air Force Officer Candidate School. In 1950, he graduated magna cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
from Santa Clara University with bachelor's degree in history. His father owned Vella Cheese Company, Inc. in California and the Rogue Creamery in Oregon, which he turned over to his children. Ig took control of both companies and served as their general manager and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
. He sold Rogue Creamery in 2002.
In addition, Vella served three terms (twelve years) on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, where he represented the First District. He also served on the Sonoma City Planning Commission and as manager of the Sonoma County Fair. During the 1970s, he served as president of the Association of Bay Area Governments
Association of Bay Area Governments
The Association of Bay Area Governments is a regional planning agency incorporating various local governments in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It deals with land use, housing, environmental quality, and economic development. Non-profit organizations as well as governmental...
.
In 2006, Vella was honored by the City of Sonoma, which named the West Napa Street bridge over Sonoma Creek
Sonoma Creek
Sonoma Creek is a stream in northern California. It is one of two principal drainages of southern Sonoma County, California, with headwaters rising in the rugged hills of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and discharging to San Pablo Bay, the northern arm of San Francisco Bay. The watershed drained by...
after him. In the same year, the American Cheese Society recognized Vella with a Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to artisan cheese.
After a prolonged illness, Vella died at his home in Sonoma, aged 83.