Cherie Curzon
1st District
CherieCurzon@aol.com

Cherie Curzon is among the fourth generation of her family to live in Riverside. Her grandfather was born in a house in what is now Wheelock Field. She attended Jefferson Elementary School, Sierra Junior High School, Ramona High School, Riverside Community College, University of California at Riverside, and the University of La Verne. She currently resides is in Riverside with her husband of 18 years, Pete. He was appointed Chief of Police in Astoria, Oregon last summer.  

Cherie’s first professional job was as a floral designer in her grandfather’s flower shop. When he sold his business, she went to work for the Riverside Police Department on August 10, 1972. At the end of December 2006, she retired after 34 ½ years of service. During her tenure, she was responsible for 42 employees and a budget of $3.5 million dollars. 

Community Activities: 

• Cherie has been a member of the Riverside Sunrise Rotary since 1995, serving as Secretary for five years, then as Vice President, and President. District 5330's Literacy Chair for three years. A member of the Rotary’s Zone Task Force on Literacy and Education. In July of 2006, she assumed the responsibilities of Assistant Governor to four Riverside Rotary clubs. She was District Foundation Gala Chair 2007, District Assembly Chair 2008 and District Conference Chair 2009. In 2010-2011, she will be 5330 District Governor. She is the fourth female District Governor in District 5330
   
• Cherie has been a Discussion Group Leader for three years with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). The last four years, she has recruited, trained and coordinated all of the Discussion Group Leaders. Again, in April 2009, a 3-day leadership camp was held in the San Bernardino Mountains for approximately 320 high school juniors from Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
   
  
• She is a1998 graduate of Leadership Riverside.  She encourage friends and co-workers to apply to the program each year, because as a native of Riverside, she learned more in that nine month program than in all of her previous years as an adult resident. It was a great experience! 
  
  
  
• For the past 10 to 11 years, Cherie has been involved with the YWCA of Riverside County's Annual Women of Achievement Awards Steering Committee.  She chaired the event in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, the event celebrated 100 years in the Community and was called the Evening of Achievement. She co-chaired that event and again in 2007. She states: “It has been an honor and a privilege to be involved with this program that honors such outstanding women in our community.” 
  
  
• She was a member of the YWCA's Board of Directors and President of the Board 2006-2007. The YWCA brings many worthwhile programs to the community from Born Free to Avenues to a wonderful preschool program. The mission of the YWCA is Empowering Women and Eliminating Racism. She has been actively involved in the campaign for a new residential home for the Born Free Program and transitional living.
   
• Additionally, Cherie was a member of the Board of Directors of the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center for six years. She is the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors. She has a member of the Annual Dinner and Auction Committee for the past seven years. Her involvement with the Rape Crisis Center has been extremely rewarding. 
   
• First District Commissioner, Riverside County Commission for Women. Appointed by Supervisor Bob Buster in November 2005 and reappointed June 2008. Currently Secretary for the Riverside County Commission for Women.

Committees for Other Special Events: 

• First Annual Multicultural Youth Festival in April 2005
• Table Captain 2004 and 2005 for YWCA Leave-A-Legacy Breakfast
• Chair of YWCA Professional Women’s Council November 2006 Check Signing Party
• Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center Annual Dinner and Auction 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 2008 and 2009
• Riverside County Commission for Women - Child Abduction Prevention Event June 2005 First Annual Lunch and Symposium 2006 and Second Annual Lunch and Symposium 2007. Current Secretary of the Commission for Women.
• YWCA Men Who Cook Steering Committee 2006 and 2007
• Chair or Co-chair of the YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon since 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
• Chair Arlanza Family Health Center Rotary Gala 2005
• District 5330 Conference Committee 2006, 2007 and 2008. Conference Chair 2009
• RYLA Discussion Group Leader for five years – Last four as DGL Coordinator
• Riverside Community Health Foundation Annual Gala Committee 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Riverside Philharmonic Gala Committee 2006, 2007 and 2008
• California Riverside Ballet Gala Committee 2007
• Riverside Library Foundation’s Trivia Bee four years
• Read Across America five years
• Principal for a Day, both Riverside and Alvord Unified School Districts

Past Groups and Organizations: 

• Coalition for Common Ground - Cops and Clergy
• Chief’s Citizen Advisory Committee
• GRCC Business and Education Partnership

Hobbies Include: 

• Yoga, walking and weight training
• Gardening (roses and orchids)
• Reading
• Flying – Private Pilot
• Traveling

Former Adjunct Faculty: 

• Golden West College, Administration of Justice
• Riverside Community College, Ben Clark Training Center

Awards/Recognition: 

APCO International Communications Director of the Year 2003 

Nominated three times for YWCA Woman of Achievement 

Woman of Distinction – Redlands University Town and Gown 2009

Email: CherieCurzon@aol.com