Gerad brings over twenty years of wealth management and commercial banking experience within the financial service sector to California Farmland Trust (CFT). While at SAFE Credit Union, Gerad developed and oversaw SAFE’s nonprofit platform, “SAFE Cares,” which provided financial resources and services to our region’s nonprofit organizations. While working directly with our region’s largest nonprofit organizations, Gerad was introduced to and developed a strong passion for fundraising and fund development.
Over the next seven years, Gerad would serve our region’s largest Food Banks, building and caring for relationships with supporters, donors, and volunteers who provide these organizations with the support they need to do outstanding work within our shared communities. To ensure that the philanthropic vision of the donors he serves is honored and fulfilled, Gerad utilizes the most up-to-date development practices and resources, which includes his accreditation as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
While Gerad spent time at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, he longed to work with an organization closer to his hometown roots that can be found in the fertile soil of the Central Valley town of Caruthers in Fresno County. For these reasons, we are thrilled that Gerad has joined the CFT team and feel that his knowledge of finances and experience in managing major gift relationships within large-scale nonprofit organizations are valuable to our team and supporters.
When you meet Gerad, ask him what he does in his abundance of free time outside the office. An abundance of time may be a bit of a stretch because he keeps very busy as a father of 8 children with his wife, Gina. Gerald spends every moment outside work with his family, enjoying the various sports and activities his children are involved in while sharing his love of hunting and fishing with them.
