The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation recently honored Butte County rice producer Frank Rehermann for his years of industry leadership, including 20 serving on the California Rice Commission.
In presenting the California Rice Industry Award, CRC President and CEO Tim Johnson described the numerous trips Rehermann made to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of California rice growers.
“When he wasn’t going to D.C., he brought D.C. here,” Johnson said during his presentation at the annual California Rice Field Day.
In fact, photos of Rehermann and then-Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA, raised some eyebrows because of her support of many liberal policies. But she also was a strong advocate for the state’s rice industry at times, Johnson said.
In addition to serving on the California Rice Commission and several of its committees, Rehermann also provided leadership on the California Wheat Commission and the U.S. Wheat Associates, the local Farm Bureau board, local school board and Little League.
As someone who focused on leading by example, he had a straight forward leadership style that allowed everyone to be heard and no one to be maligned, Johnson said.
A Navy veteran, Rehermann also was a big fan of classic rock and roll and loved to talk about the concerts he attended, including the five times he had seen the Rolling Stones.