OLE Health Foundation Announces Vintner Rick Jones to Receive Inaugural John Shafer Visionary Award
NAPA, CA – April 10, 2023 – The OLE Health Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jones Family Vineyards Proprietor Rick Jones will be the recipient of the inaugural John Shafer Visionary Award. The award honors the legacy of vintner John Shafer, who was among OLE Health’s fiercest advocates. Shafer helped create the OLE Health Foundation and foster the community support that sustains the organization today. The John Shafer Visionary Award recognizes an individual who has committed him or herself to furthering the mission of OLE Health, which is to ensure that high quality primary care is provided to everyone who lives and works in the communities it serves.
“I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Rick Jones,” said Darioush Khaledi, Chair of the OLE Health Foundation Board. “Over the years, Rick has been a cornerstone of our organization, always giving generously of his time, expertise, and resources. He sets an excellent example for all of us, especially the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists.”
With service spanning more than two decades, Rick has been a stalwart advocate for OLE Health. He originally joined the operating board in 2013, serving as treasurer from 2014-2015, and board chair from 2017-2018. He stepped down from his role on the operating board in 2022, but he remains treasurer of the OLE Health foundation board and a trusted advisor for OLE Health leadership. Throughout his tenure, Rick has leveraged his financial expertise as a member of the board’s finance committee, helping OLE Health manage its assets prudently to ensure the financial health and viability of the organization. He, along with his wife Elaine, have also been exceedingly generous with their own money, giving OLE Health roughly $1 million over the years.
Says Jones, “Making sure that health care is available to everyone is important to ensuring Napa is the kind of place that I want to call home. OLE is the organization that does that. The commitment that OLE has to being open to everyone, regardless of ability to pay, with an emphasis on helping farmworkers, has driven my involvement and dedication to the organization.”
The John Shafer Visionary Award will be presented at the Vida OLE! Visionaries’ Luncheon on May 18, 2023, hosted by Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo at their Wappo Hill home. The invitation-only event acknowledges those who have provided significant support to OLE Health throughout its 50-plus year history and serves as the official kick-off to Vida OLE!, a weekend-long celebration raising critical funds to support OLE Health.
To learn more or purchase tickets to attend Vida OLE! events, visit olehealth.org/auction.
About Rick Jones
Rick Jones developed a passion for wine while living in France in the 1970’s. When he returned to the states, he embarked on a successful career in business, beginning at McKinsey & Co. and ending as the Executive Vice President of Safeway. After retiring from Safeway, Rick founded Jones Family Vineyards in 1996 as a family run partnership and continues an active role in its operation serving as CEO. Rick is highly involved with the Napa Valley community and is currently serving on the boards of the OLE Health Foundation, Napa Valley Education Foundation, St. Helena Hospital Foundation, as well as the Napa Community Firewise Foundation. Over the past several years he also served on the boards of the Napa Valley Community Foundation, the Napa Valley Vintners, as well as Napa Learns and the national organization, Raising a Reader.
