LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed a new member to the Lake County Fair Board.

Monica Rosenthal, 58, of Middletown, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board of Directors.

Rosenthal and her husband, David, are active in the local wine industry, having owned Rosenthal Vineyards since 1995. She’s also been involved in the Lake County Winegrape Commission and Lake County Winery Association.

She served for five years as a member of the board of directors for the Lake County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the California Women of Agriculture’s Lake County Chapter and Soroptimist International of Clear Lake.

“I applied for appointment to the Lake County Fair Board because I firmly support Lake County agriculture, farming, FFA, 4-H and the healthy, hard-working, 'salt of the earth' lifestyle that is such a huge part of our Lake County heritage,” Rosenthal told Lake County News.

She added, “The Lake County Fairgrounds is the heart and soul of our agriculture and farming community. Our local fairgrounds provides the space for activities, events, presentations, AG days, memorials, and so much more. There are some amazing people who have served and continue to serve on the Lake County Fair Board. I admire them. I hope that I can bring a fraction of their energy and commitment to the Lake County Fair Board team and strive to keep all that is grand about the fair and farming alive in Lake County.”

Fair Chief Executive Officer Debbie Strickler welcomed the news of Rosenthal’s appointment.

This now brings the board’s membership to eight, with one position still vacant, Strickler said.

“We’re always taking applications, of course,” Strickler added.

Strickler said she expects Rosenthal will be jumping right in, with the next fair board meeting on June 26 and the fair itself taking place this year from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.

Rosenthal joins current board members Janeane Bogner of Clearlake Oaks, Steven Brown of Kelseyville, Marcia Chauvin of Clearlake, James Cochrane of Kelseyville, Annette Hopkins of Lakeport, Katherine McDowell of Cobb and Jerry McQueen of Lakeport.

This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Rosenthal is a Democrat.

The fair board typically meets once a month on a Monday afternoon in the administration office at the fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Anyone interested in serving on the fair board should go to the governor's appointment page at https://www.gov.ca.gov/m_appointments.php .

For more information about the fair or the board call Strickler at the fair office, 707-263-6181 or visit www.lakecountyfair.com .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.