On April 24, 2024 the wine committee met at the home of John Ballinger (66-S) to discuss last-minute details. Committee member Rob Bell (95-F) contacted Ryan DeYoung (00-S – UCSD), and asked if he would make a donation to the silent auction. Ryan graciously did, but Rob was out of town the night of the meeting, so Ryan’s wine was picked up by Brandon Cohrs (98-F) who delivered it to John’s just before the meeting. Besides enjoying talking to Brandon, we got to meet his young son. For the meeting we were joined by Gary Mooshagian (85-S) who brought his really cool woody (see photo below).

Three days later on the 27th we held the tasting for the third time at Susan and John Ballinger’s park-like back yard. We had 94 people registered including these 52 brothers:

Tony Flores (56-S), Dante Simi (58-F), Elwood Enns (60-F), Warren Williams (61-S), Tom Downing (62-F), Jerry Waters (62-F), Mike Patton (63-S), Bill Matesso (63-F), Rob Crossland (64-S), John Ballinger (65-S), Ken Blom (66-S), Jack Tacchino (66-S), Don Witzansky (67-S), Rich Barsanti (67-F), John Garcia (67-F), John Marinovich (68-S), Tom Beggs (68-F), Mike Elliott (68-F), Jim Norquist (69-F), Dave Reuland (69-F), Mark Scott (69-F), Larry Calvino (69-S), Bob Koligian (69-F), Dennis Schmal (69-F), Tom Licouris (70-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Bill Arnold (72-S), Bill Smittcamp (73-S), Serge Tomassian (74-F), Keven Wren (74-F), Mike Chooljian (77-F), Richard Egan (77-F), Bruce Berger (78-S), Brad Fischer (78-S), Steve Coleman (78-F), Harvey Singh (78-F), Bill Van Skike (78-F), Jon Hollenbeck (79-F), T.A. Heckel (82-F), Joel Armstrong (87-F), Sergio Ilic (87-F), Matt Stevens (90-S), Mark Springer (09-F), Derrick Lacy (10-F), Austin Helman (15-S), Michael Alexander (23-F), Seth Karagosian (22-F), Tito Gomez (22-F), Caden Shows (22-F), Jake McCreedy (23-F), William Ventura (23-F) and Julian Rocha (24-S).

Again this year brother Tom Kusaka (79-F) provided the funds to “comp” six undergraduate brothers giving them an opportunity to enjoy the event. They also were totally invaluable to the event as they manned the entrance table and greeted the alumni and guests.

T.A. Heckel (82-F) provided wines from his private wine cellar, and we snacked on some great cheeses, olives and sandwiches from Sam’s Italian Deli and Market. A fun day was had by all, especially Bruce Berger (78-S) who won the Grand Prize at the end of the raffle.

Significant Sig Mike Gallo (70-F) was not able to attend the wine tasting, but he donated lots of his award-winning Joseph Farms cheese and olive oil they only make for their family. Brother Kenny Jelacich (70-F) arranged to have the donations delivered to Fresno by currier. The items were offered on the online-auction, and all eight were purchased by wine committee members prior to the event.

Besides having fun and enjoying the brotherhood, the event earned $40,511 for the Fresno Sigma Chi Endowment. We are told that our endowment is unique in the Greek world, and we will be able to award a total of $52,000 to our undergraduate brothers for the 2024/2025 school year.

Thanks to all who participated including our undergraduate brothers, alumni, guests and the wine committee who are part of the most fun committee in all of Sigma Chi.

Brothers, the 2023 Fresno Sigma Chi Alumni Wine Tasting raised money for our endowment which is unique to the Greek world. But more importantly, it was a great brotherhood-building event.

Your wine tasting board would like to thank all of those who attended and all who contributed to the auction by furnishing items or buying them.

Registered Attendees (100 Total)
Jerry Bender (56-F), Tony Flores (56-S), Warren Williams (61-SS), Gary Renner (62-S), Tom Downing (62-F), Alex Audelo (63-S), Mike Patton (63-S), John Ballinger (65-S), John Marinovich (68-S), Tom Beggs (68-F), Michael Elliott (68-F), Jim Norquist (69-F), Dave Reuland (69-F), Mark Scott (69-F), Larry Calvino (69-S), Dennis Schmal (69-F), Peter Britton (70-F), Tom Licouris (70-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Mark Sanchez (70-F), Marv Helon (71-F), Chris Visser (71-F), Bill Smittcamp (73-S), Patrick Beggs (72-F), Paul Porter (74-F), Serge Tomassian (74-F), Kirk Wethey (74-F), Kevin Wren (74-F), Blake Gunderson (75-S AB), Darryl Horowitt (75-F), Rob Hauser (76-S), Steve Coleman (78-F), Brad Fischer (78-S), Steve Bachand (79-F), Jon Hollenbeck (79-F), Tom Kusaka (79-F), T.A. Heckel (82-F), Joel Armstrong (87-F), Sergio Ilic (87-F), Rob Bell (95-F), Mark McCullough (96-S), Ravi Batth (97-F), Pat Geil (97-F), Brandon Cohrs (98-F). Matt Garcia (00-S), Dustin Gallegos (00-S), Brian Stenklyft (00-S), Brian O’Rourke (01-F), Mark Springer (09-F), Mike Colgate (14-F), Trenton Benevedes (20-F), Christian Cruz (20-F), Logan Mann (20-F), Bassel Khoury (21-F), Cooper Lilles (21-F), Austin Tuell (21-F) and Tito Gomez (22-F).

Furnished Silent Auction Items

Rich Barsanti, Greg Baxter, Rob Bell, Larry Calvino, Tony Flores, Brad Fischer, T.A. Heckel, Sergio Ilic, Dusty Lacefield, Tom Licouris, Jim Norquist, Mike Patton, Mark Sanchez, Bill Smittcamp and Warren Williams.

Bought Silent Auction Items
Patrick Beggs, Tom Beggs, Larry Calvino, Tom Downing, Michael Elliott, Elwood Enns, Rod Gavroian, Pat Geil, Blake Gunderson, Rob Hauser, Cooper Lilles, Bill Matesso, Mark McCullough Paul Porter, Gio Primavera, Dave Reuland, Mark Sanchez, Dennis Schmal, Bill Smittcamp, Ted Tukloff and Warren Williams.

The 2023 Fresno Sigma Chi Wine Tasting was enjoyed by 100 participants. As we meandered around Susan and John Ballinger’s (65-S) backyard, one of the most beautiful in Fresno, we snacked on hors d’oeuvres from Sam’s Deli. T.A. Heckel (82-F) poured wine from his personal wine cellar which we tasted as we chatted with our Sigma Chi brothers, some of whom we had not seen for years.Tom Kusaka (79-F) sponsored (6) undergraduate brothers who helped immensely at the entrance giving out name tags after helping set up the tables and chairs. Although the event is really a brotherhood event, the silent auction and wine raffle raised $28,485 for our endowment which is managed by the Fresno State Alumni Association. Epsilon Eta’s endowments has more than $50,000 for scholarships to Fresno Sigs. The amount given to each brother was raised to $3,000 for the 2023/2024 school year.  Our scholarships are given to reward academic excellence, and 40% of the Active Chapter are on the Dean’s List.

2023 Registered Attendees (100 Total): Jerry Bender (56-F), Tony Flores (56-S), Gary Renner (62-S), Tom Downing (62-F), Alex Audelo (63-S), Mike Patton (63-S), John Ballinger (65-S), John Marinovich (68-S), Tom Beggs (68-F), Michael Elliott (68-F), Jim Norquist (69-F), Dave Reuland (69-F), Mark Scott (69-F), Larry Calvino (69-S), Dennis Schmal (69-F), Peter Britton (70-F), Tom Licouris (70-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Mark Sanchez (70-F), Marv Helon (71-F), Chris Visser (71-F), Bill Smittcamp (73-S), Patrick Beggs (72-F), Paul Porter (74-F), Serge Tomassian (74-F), Kirk Wethey (74-F), Kevin Wren (74-F), Blake Gunderson (75-S), Darryl Horowitt (75-F),  Rob Hauser (76-S), Steve Coleman (78-F), Brad Fischer (78-S), Steve Bachand (79-F), Jon Hollenbeck (79-F), Tom Kusaka (79-F), T.A. Heckel (82-F), Joel Armstrong (87-F), Sergio Ilic (87-F), Rob Bell (95-F), Mark McCullough (96-S), Ravi Batth (97-F), Pat Geil (97-F), Brandon Cohrs (98-F). Matt Garcia (00-S), Dustin Gallegos (00-S), Brian Stenklyft (00-S), Brian O’Rourke (01-F), Mark Springer (09-F), Mike Colgate (14-F), Trenton Benevedes (20-F), Christian Cruz (20-F), Logan Mann (20-F), Bassel Khoury (21-F), Cooper Lilles (21-F), Austin Tuell (21-F) and Tito Gomez (22-F).

On April 7, 2023, Mark and his wife, Lori, were featured with the headline, Rolling Hills Vineyard: 2023 Idaho Winery To Watch. Mark donated (6) of his fantastic wines to the 2023 Fresno Sigma Chi Wine Tasting event which took place on April 22. Although Mark received his Fresno State degree in accounting, Lori was raised on her grandparent’s vineyard in the San Joaquin Valley. Our wine committee tasted Mark’s wines last year, and they were compared to more expense Napa wines. They were judged equal or better in quality, and it turned out this was his first vintage. Obviously they learned fast. You can order wines at their website, https://www.rollinghillsvineyard.com/.

To read the entire article, please click on this link:
https://greatnorthwestwine.com/2023/04/07/rolling-hills-vineyard-2023-idaho-winery-to-watch/?fbclid=IwAR0qG27qmBU4TRIRtWoqOkcm_CaaLi_-EssdWQoc6v5o-Oot9JdTkUy3Jns

Fresno Sigma Chi Alumnus John A. (Tony) Flores (56-S) was named Top Dog in 2023. He is the outstanding Alumnus for Division of Research and Graduate Studies at CSU Fresno.

Tony has been a serial  entrepreneur starting and operating many businesses. Brother Flores has deep roots in the Valley owning and managing his businesses, serving as executive director and chairman for local organizations, and educating the next generation of leaders. As a business consultant and motivational speaker, he has inspired thousands of students in California and Texas.

He has volunteered on behalf of Sigma Chi for more than two decades. He has served as alumni president, House Corporation president, created the Fresno Sigma Chi Endowment and he has led the effort to raise money for our endowment. Congratulations brother Flores, the White Cross of Sigma Chi has gained new luster by your life.

Mark Pasculli (81-F), owner and wine maker for Rolling Hills Vineyard in Eagle, Idaho, was contacted by wine committee member and well-known wine connoisseur, Sergio Ilic (87-F).  Mark graciously donated (6) bottles of his world-class wines.  We tasted several of Mark’s wines during last year’s wine committee meetings comparing them to well-known and much more expensive Napa Valley wines, and they held up beautifully.  Click the link below to find out more about Mark’s Rolling Hills Vineyard, and how to order direct from the winery.

https://fresnosigsalumni.org/epsilon-eta-sig-is-founder-of-winery-in-idaho/

It is with great pride that we announce that Epsilon Eta’s Michael D. (Mike) Gallo (70-F) has been named a Significant Sig.  Mike will be invited to attend the 84th Grand Chapter in Toronto, Canada on June 22-25, 2023 for a Significant Sig recognition experience.

Brother Gallo is a third-generation farmer and businessman, born and raised in Livingston, California. After high school he attended Merced College, earning his A.S. Degree in Ag Business, and then transferring to Fresno State University, where he majored in enology and viticulture. 

Mike grew up working on his family’s farm, which his father established in 1946. He learned every job from the bottom up, and after college, he managed the family’s vineyards. In 1979, he and his father launched, first the Joseph Gallo Dairy and then in 1982, the Joseph Gallo Cheese Plant. In 1984, after the cheese plant was built, the Joseph Farms cheese brand was developed. 

In 1997, Joseph Gallo Farms made the unprecedented decision to stop using all artificial hormones on its dairy herd, becoming the first cheese producer nationwide to  receive governmental approval to label its premium cheese as having “No Artificial Hormones.” 

The Joseph Gallo Dairies began as a single dairy with a herd of 4,000 cows. Within a few short years, Joe and Mike built four additional dairies and expanded the herd to over 30,000 cattle, including 15,000 dairy cows. In August 1995, the Joseph Gallo Dairy was named by Successful Farming as the nation’s largest dairy. 

Today, with Mike Gallo as CEO, Joseph Gallo Farms focuses on cheese and protein production. The award-winning Grade-A cow’s milk cheese is produced in more than seven different flavors and is sold throughout the United States and Mexico. The adjacent whey protein plant produces whey protein, an ingredient used by many health and nutrition companies. In recent years, Joseph Gallo Farms has also expanded into the growing of California almonds. 

The Joseph Farms Cheese brand has earned numerous domestic and international awards for its cheese and continues to do so year after year. In 2014, the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin rated Joseph Farms Provolone Cheese first in its class. Joseph Farms Pepper Jack was named Best of Class at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin. Most recently three awards were taken home from the 2022 World Dairy Expo. Joseph Farms Monterey Jack cheese is the bestselling Monterey Jack variety sold in California.

A special thanks to Brother Kenny Jelacich (70-F) for single-handedly putting together the information required for the successful Significant Sig submittal.  Kenny married Mike’s sister, former Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Linda Gallo who reigned during the 1973/1974 school year.  Kenny also has worked with Mike at Joseph Farms since his graduation from Fresno State.

The Wine Tasting event was created by a social committee formed to create an event(s) for brothers and their spouse or guest. Gary Renner (62-S) originally chaired that social committee and was chairman of the Wine Tasting Committee for the first four events.

From the beginning any profits would go to the Scholarship fund. Originally we weren’t sure we would generate money. T.A. Heckel (82-F) has been furnishing the ties from his private cellar from the beginning, and has been pouring each time. Alumni Chapter president Brad Fischer (78-S) remembers that the first year we netted around $2,500.

Food was never intended as a meal. For the first few years it was a meat and cheese tray from Sam’s Deli, plus fruit. A couple of times we also added wild sausage by Mitch Long (75-F) and mini meatballs by Tom Licouris (70-F). Brad thinks simple finger food is adequate. Cheese is always a hit, but tricky if it is a warm day.

A summary of the event statistics is as follows: 

• 1 2015 – Smittcamp’s – net $1,558.95 – 36 paid
• 2 2016 – Smittcamp’s – net $4,003.00 – 59 paid
• 2017 – moved to Spring 2018
• 3 2018 – Reuland’s – net $10,073.02 – 71 paid
• 4 2019 – Reuland’s – net $15,370.00 – 76 paid
• 5 2022 – Ballinger’s – net $24,059 – 95 paid
• 6 2023 – Ballinger’s – net $28,485 – 100 paid