SACRAMENTO — On Wednesday the Rural County Representatives of California, or RCRC, celebrated its 2022 officers and presented its Rural Leadership Awards at their installation reception earlier this month.

The official oath of office for the 2022 RCRC officers was administered by California State Senator Brian Dahle on Jan. 12 through a virtual meeting of the RCRC Board of Directors. The reception celebrating the new officers was delayed until March 9 due the pandemic.

During the reception, Nevada County Supervisor Dan Miller was recognized as chair with Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter as first vice chair and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez as second vice chair. Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless remains an officer as immediate past chair.

The 2022 installed officers will lead the organization in championing policies on behalf of California’s rural counties.

“I am honored to lead RCRC this year with the assistance of my colleagues from counties across the state. The work we do through RCRC is critical to advancing the interests of rural counties and promoting a greater understanding about the unique challenges our communities face,” said Supervisor Miller.

In addition to the celebration of RCRC’s 2022 officers, Rural Leadership Awards were presented on behalf of two public officials who have demonstrated an understanding of, and distinctive leadership regarding, rural county issues.

Former California Public Utilities Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves was recognized as the first recipient of the 2021 Rural Leadership Award. In her role Commissioner Guzman Aceves worked on broadband and utility access and affordability programs for disadvantaged communities.

“It was my pleasure to recognize Martha Guzman Aceves as a recipient of our 2021 Rural Leadership Award,” said Supervisor Miller. “Her leadership on broadband access before the CPUC has made numerous infrastructure funding measures possible this year and significantly advanced efforts to reduce the digital divide in our rural communities.”

“The leadership by RCRC over the last three years in driving innovative and sustainable solutions is what yielded such massive reforms over the last two-years,” said Martha Guzman Aceves, “Getting to solutions that actually benefit people is what local government does best and I thank you all for your service.”

Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) was announced as the second recipient of the 2021 Rural Leadership Award. Aguiar-Curry was recognized for her efforts to bring increased internet connectivity to her rural Assembly district and for championing Assembly Bill 14, helping to subsidize last mile infrastructure construction in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

“Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry has demonstrated significant leadership in the passage of Assembly Bill 14 and through her advocacy for broadband deployment,” said Supervisor Corless. “Her efforts to increase broadband access for all, including hard to reach communities, make her the embodiment of a rural leader.”

“It is an honor and pleasure to accept this recognition from RCRC,” said Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry. “Our rural communities suffer from a lack of access to health care, the economy, education and more. Broadband connectivity is key to fixing so many of those needs.”

She said her rural county supervisors and RCRC’s great staff were absolutely critical in winning the day and securing a generational investment of $7.5 billion in providing Internet for all through her Assembly Bill 14, Senate Bill 4 (Senator Gonzalez), and Senate Bill 156.