About Frank Bigelow
The first thing you’ll notice about rancher Frank Bigelow is his hat. To Frank’s way of thinking, he wears it as a symbol of respect for the sacrifice of those who settled our region and it serves as a commitment to continue to preserve our way of life.
With family roots that date to the late 1800’s, Frank’s great grandparents, Harmon and Leota Bigelow, settled in the O’Neals area of Madera County and established a cattle and sheep ranch along with a wagon and stage line that served the high country of the Sierra Nevada.
Later, Harmon strung two wires through the trees so that his wife could talk to her friend a half-mile away with a telephone. In 1908, after requests for service from other settlers and a subsequent request by the Forest Service to take over its phone lines, the Bigelow Telephone Company became Ponderosa Telephone Company.
An employee of the Ponderosa Telephone Company since 1973, Frank worked his way up through the ranks of the company, learning all facets of the business and currently serves as Vice President. Frank remains active in the operation of his family’s cattle ranch Bigelow Farms.
Elected by his neighbors to the Madera County Board of Supervisors, Frank has a proven record of thoughtful leadership. By working to build a budget surplus, Frank helped protect taxpayers from the tough economic times we are experiencing now. His votes to reduce government spending and economic reforms have forced government to live within its means. Frank fought to restore accountability to local agencies and voted to keep and attract jobs to our community.
One of the realities of our region is the threat of fire. Although an official firefighter on his 18th birthday, Frank’s commitment to fire safety was born on the ranch as a young boy. 39 years later, Frank continues to serve as a volunteer with his local fire department.
Frank has served on a variety of local organizations and committees, most notably his service on the Madera District Fair Board, the Madera Ag Boosters Board of Directors, California Shorthorn Breeder’s Association Board of Directors and the Madera County Cattleman’s Association Board of Directors. He served as a leader in the Spring Valley 4-H Club and is a strong supporter of the Future Farmers of America. In keeping with family tradition, he has continued to raise champion registered Shorthorn cattle and champion registered Columbia Sheep, and is a member of the Yosemite Lakes Community Church and Madera County Farm Bureau.
Frank resides in O’Neals, with his wife of 34 years, Barbara
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS:
Madera County Cattlemen’s Association, Board of Directors
Madera County Ag Boosters, Board of Directors
Madera County Volunteer Fire, Station 17 Captain 37 years
American Shorthorn Association, Past President and Board of Directors
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Life member
Spring Valley 4-H, Past Beef Leader
California State Association of Counties, Past President
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE SERVICE:
Board Legislative Committee
Community Development Block Grant Committee
Central Sierra Watershed Committee – Alternate
CSAC Policy Committee-Housing/Land Use/Transportation
CSAC Board of Directors – Alternate
Elected Department Head Negotiating Committee
Foreign Trade Zone Advisory Board
Fresno/Madera Board of Supervisors Joint Meeting
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Madera City/County Joint Projects Committee
Madera County Transportation Commission
Madera County Workforce Investment Board -Alternate
Mid Valley Water Authority
National Association of Counties (NACo) Delegate
National Association of Counties (NACo) Public Lands Steering Committee
National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors (2009)
National Association of Counties (NACo) Information & Technology Committee
Resource Conservation & Development – Alternate
Road Impact Fee Committee
San Joaquin River Conservancy
San Joaquin River Task Force (2002) Chairman
SB 621 Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit
Sierra National Forest Resource Advisory Committee
Sierra Nevada Conservancy – Alternate
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Strategy (YARTS) – Alternate
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau – Alternate