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Five Questions with Outstanding Alumnus Tod Kimmelshue

Tod Kimmelshue still recalls the days when Butte College's programs lived on the high school campus of his hometown of Durham, Calif. Though he was only a child then, he remembers the energy and buzz that came with having grades K through college all in the same campus. Kimmelshue's roots in the Northstate run deep. He is a 5th generation family farmer, a retired ag businessman and a lifelong volunteer. Those deep roots and love for his community have nourished his volunteerism and ultimately led him to run for public office. In 2021, he was elected to the Butte County Board of Supervisors, representing District 4, the largest ag-producing district in the county.

Throughout his career, he has served on several community boards, including the Butte County Farm Bureau, Butte County Water Commission, the California Farm Bureau, the Chico Chamber of Commerce and the Chico Rotary Club. He has received numerous awards for his community service, including Distinguished Citizen of the Year from the Boy Scouts of America and Butte County Farm Bureau's Member of the Year.

Kimmelshue attended Butte College from 1977-1979 and transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in ag business. After graduating, he worked in the agricultural finance industry for over 35 years. He is proud of his community college roots and the education he received at Butte College. "The American dream starts at community college for so many people," he said. "I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study and spend my two years at Butte Community College."

Kimmelshue was honored at this year's Butte College Spring Gala on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

1. What impact did Butte College have on your life and career?

Butte College was a big part of my life right after high school. It opened up a lot of doors for me. It gave me a lot of different options. And I think that's still true today.

2. Did you always know you'd have a career in public service? How did you get there?

My parents were very community oriented and expected us to be involved in the community. So, it was kind of natural. Starting in high school with community projects through 4H and Future Farmers of America and on to college, where I was involved in a fraternity and then back to Chico and Butte County, where I was involved in the Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce and on and on. But the bottom line is they always preached to us that if you want to make the community better, you need to be involved. That's why we are all very involved in the community. We take great pride in this community. We love the community. That's why we want to be involved. And that's kind of why I got into public service.

3. What role does the community college play in our community?

I think a community college is vital to a community or an area like Butte County or Northern California. Higher education is so important. If we can get students to just get their foot in the door with higher education through a community college, that's great. But if they want to go and learn a trade at a community college, that's fantastic. There are so many things that a community college offers a community. It's just vital. And I know that the community colleges in California are outstanding.

4. What would you consider your top personal or career highlight?

I would say my career highlight was being able to work for the same company for over 35 years, a company called Farm Credit. They are agricultural lenders. So, I'm pretty proud of that. And I feel like I helped a lot of farmers along the way. And I like to say as an agricultural finance person, you kind of help farmers achieve their dreams of buying the piece of property next door or even buying a farm for the first time or getting that big piece of equipment. And that is of great pride to me.

5. What does receiving this award mean to you?

Well, it's an honor, and I'm very humbled to receive this award and be recognized by Butte Community College. It's near and dear to my heart. Higher education is very important, and I would thank my parents for instilling that in me.

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