John Francis Bribiescas—Personally Speaking

John Francis Bribiescas of Schools Plus

GoLocal Member since 2011

What is your fondest memory of living in Sonoma County?

I was a kid in Santa Rosa in the 1950's. The total population hovered around twenty-thousand people. The pace was slow, safe and friendly -- it seemed to me that everyone knew each other in some way.

I made friends as a child with great people who remain my friends to this day. I graduated from Santa Rosa High School in the mid 1960's. The 1960's -- another great time to be coming of age in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. I caught my first wave at Doran Park on President Washington's birthday weekend. I still surf Doran Park in the fall and winter months when our coast line can be its sunny best.

In 1990, I worked with some of my boyhood friends as we came together to form Schools Plus, a local non-profit that raises funds for sports, music and art programs in Santa Rosa's public secondary schools.

Describe what you experience as the greatest treasure of Sonoma County.

I treasure most the continued generosity of the people who live in Sonoma County -- the willingness to work together in keeping Sonoma County a great place to raise families and conduct business. The two are inextricably bound together.

It's easy to adopt a spirit of stewardship when one lives in Sonoma County.

What for you defines 'quality of life'?

Quality of life: The opportunities to enrich the lives of others and thereby be enriched.

What gets you really excited about your business?

My/our business is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people in our area. That's truly an exciting experience.

Thinking about your business, what keeps you up at night?

Schools Plus workes to fill gaps in our high schools and middle schools caused by budget cuts that always target sports, music and art first.

The fact that the budget picture is getting worse keeps me up at night.

If you could have one wish come true for Sonoma County, what would it be?

I wish our local zeitgeist centered around providing all kids the same experiences with which I was blessed as a boy growing up in Santa Rosa circa the 1950's/1960's.

What is your favorite quote or motto?

Paint the barn. The grass will grow.

What or who do you most admire in Sonoma County?

I most admire my friends, people like Billy Friedman and Jimmy Keegan.
I admire the energy and spirit of the people who work so hard to make sure Schools Plus continues to make a positive impact on all our kids.

What brought you to Sonoma County?

I'm a native.