About Katcho

Katcho and his wife Araxie celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
They have a son, Hratch, and a daughter, Nyri.

Katcho Achadjian, born to Armenian parents, immigrated to the United States where through hard work and perseverance he was able to pursue the American Dream.

A graduate of both Cuesta Community College and Cal Poly, Katcho has lived on the Central Coast since 1971. He proudly earned his United States Citizenship on December 17th, 1982.

A successful business owner since 1978, Katcho employs thirty local workers at his three businesses.

A dedicated community volunteer, Katcho has an exemplary record as a public servant to the community donating his time freely to worthwhile causes. He remains committed to giving back to a country and a community that have been so good to him.

In his three terms as County Supervisor in San Luis Obispo County, Katcho has fought hard to protect taxpayers, property rights, and public safety while holding down the cost of government.

Honored Community Servant

Awards/Recognitions:

• Altrusa International, Honorary Lifetime Membership Awarded 2006
• South County Boys & Girls Club "Angels for Kids" Award Recipient 2003, 2004, 2005
• Telegram Tribune Editorial Opinion names Katcho Achadjian "Shepherd of Consensus" May 19, 2002
• San Luis Obispo Shrine Club Life Membership award June 27-2002
• Special Olympics "Inspire Greatness" award 2002
• Proclamation Award From City of Arroyo Grande (DARE): 1995
• Five Cities Pismo Beach Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow 1986
• Citizen of the Year, Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce: 1984

Appointments:

• Mid State Fair Board Member, San Luis Obispo, Appointed by Governor Wilson, 1992-1998
  Chairman of the Board: 1995
  V.P. Chairman of Operations Committee 1994
  Chairman of the Board 1995

Involvement:

• Five Cities – Pismo Beach Rotary Club
    Community Service Chairman 1984,
    President 1985,
    Paul Harris Fellow 1986,
    Paul Harris Fellow Chairman 1990-1991,
    International Service Director District #5240 1991-1992
    Member 1984 – Present
• Special Olympics of San Luis Obispo County
    Board of Directors 1991-2001,
    Finance Committee Chairman 1993-1994,
    Honorary board member 2001 – Present
• South County Performing Arts Building Foundation
    Founder 1993
• Arroyo Grande Lodge 274 Freemason 32°
    Member 1991- present
• Central Coast Exchange Club of South San Luis Obispo County
    President 1984
    Member 1982 – Present
• South County Boys and Girls Club
    Honorary Board Member 2000-Present
• Harvest Festival Committee Arroyo Grande
    Executive Treasurer 1981, President 1985
    Member 1978-1990
• United Way / Neighbors Helping Neighbors
    South County Steering Committee 1990
    ;Member 1984-1994
• City of Hope Central Coast Chapter
    Fund Raising Chairman 1983
    Member 1981 -1985
• Y.M.C.A. Young Men’s Christian Association
    South County Steering Committee 1989,
    Leadership Foundation 1990 1991,
    Century Club 1992-1993
• Clark Center – South County Performing Arts Association, Inc.
    Board of Directors 2001 – Present
    Endowment Fund Committee 2004 - Present

Leadership to Make Government Work Better

Awards/Recognitions:

• New Times 15th Annual Best of SLO County 2001 "Best Supervisor" Award

Appointments:

• Appointed to California Coastal Commission, 2006-Present

Involvement:

• Elected to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors,
  November 1998 -Present
  Served as Chairman in 2001 and 2006.
• First 5 Commission, Charter Chairman 1999 - Present
  Supports programs for children from birth to age 5 that improve children’s health such as vision screening, medical checkups, stop smoking services and children’s health insurance. Also includes preschool programs and kindergarten transition.
• S.L.O. Council of Governments Board, Chairman 2001,
  Member 1999-Present
  Responsible for regional transportation planning for San Luis County as well as cities within the county. SLOCOG plans, prioritizes and programs transportation system improvements on state highways and routes of regional significance and assists local jurisdictions in implementing all forms of transportation.
• S.L.O. Regional Transit Authority, Chairman 2000, Member 1999-Present
  Provides region-wide public transportation and Rideshare services.
• Integrated Waste Management Authority Board,
  Board member 1999-Present
  Provides regional recycling services and household hazardous waste programs for member jurisdictions.
• Air Pollution Control District Board, Board member 1999-Present,
  Chairman 2001 and 2009
  Regional board that provides for long and short range air quality goals by periodically reviewing and updating the Air Quality Plan and APCD rules and regulations.
• SLO Children’s Health Initiative
  Coordinates efforts to insure every child age 0 to 18 years of age in SLO County
  President 2007 - Present,
  Charter Board Member 2005 – Present
• South County Youth Master Plan Committee
  Member Steering Committee 1997
• Arroyo Grande Watershed Forum Steering Committee 2001-2002

Leadership for a Stronger Economy

Awards/Recognition:

• Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce, Our Hero Award Recipient 2004

Involvement:

• Member, Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce 1978 – Present
  President 1981
• Farm Bureau of San Luis Obispo County, Member 1997 - Present
• Nipomo Chamber of Commerce Member: 1999 – Present
• Cal Poly SLO Orfalea College of Business Executive Partners Leadership Council, 2008 – Present
• Organizing Committee for Arroyo Grande Village Merchant’s Association
  Member 1984
• South County Economic Development Association, Member 1993-1995

Leadership for a Better Community

Awards/Recognition:

• Pionero Award by Vision Unida recognition of pioneering efforts on behalf of the under-represented populations of SLO County, 1999
• Dana Adobe: Meritorious Award for successful efforts to protect the natural and cultural landscape of Rancho Nipomo 2008

Involvement:

• League of Women Voters, Member 2004 - Present
• Latino Outreach Council Board of Directors 2000 - Present
• Partnership for the Children of San Luis Obispo County
  1993-2001, Charter President and founding member
• Energy Shortage Technical Contingency Plan for SLO County
  Advisor 1993-1994
• Honorary board member South County Boys and Girls Club since 2000
• Anti Defamation LeagueMember SLO County Advisory Board 2009
• Local Agency Formation Commission
  Reviews proposals for incorporation of new cities or districts and changes in organization of these agencies including dissolutions, consolidations, annexations and mergers; determines spheres of influence for cities and special districts.
  Chairman 2007
  Member 1999 –Present

Commitment to Public Safety

Awards/Recognition:

• National Child Safety Council Merit Award: 1980
• Arroyo Grande Police Department
  Explorers Merit Award: November 1983
  Citizens Assisting Police Honorary Volunteer Award, 1998
• Arroyo Grande Fire Department Fire Service Citizens Recognition Award, 1993
• S.L.O. County Sheriffs Department
  Honorary Member, Aero Squadron, 1997
• Attorney General Certificate of Appreciation for Support of Law Enforcement, 2004
• Vandenberg Air Force Base
  Appreciation of Continued Support Award, 2005
• California D.A.R.E. Officers Association
  Presidents Award 2006

Involvement:

• Mental Health Advisory Board and Mental Health Criminal Justice Task Force, 2009
• Member, San Luis Obispo Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation 2002- Present
  Secretary 2002-2004
  Vice President 2004 – Present
• San Luis Obispo Sheriffs Advisory Council
  Chairman of the Board 1994-1995
  Board Member 1990 - Present
• International Footprint Association
  Promotes Cooperation among all arms of law enforcement
  Member 1994 - Present
• 0rganized Arroyo Grande Police Department Community Advisory
  Council: September 1996.
  Chairman, 1996 - Present
• Restore DARE vehicle: Arroyo Grande Police Department,
  Fundraising and Project Chairman 1995
• S.A.V.E. Sexual Assault Victim Education: 1980
  Founder of South County Chapter: 1982

Leadership to Improve Health Care

Awards/Recognition:

• The spirit of W.W. Hayes MD (1837-1901) award by County Medical Society, October 2003
• Oceano Healthy Start Recognition Award for Continuous Support 1998
• Recognition award for continuous support for Oceano Healthy Start June 1998
• "You Make the Difference" award from Children's Leadership Team

Involvement:

• Freemason Arroyo Grande Lodge 274
  Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children 100 Million Dollar Club
  Member 1991 - Present
• Shriners Hospital For Crippled Children 100 Million Dollar Club
  Co-chair set up off-premises screening clinic for children in need of hospitalization for orthopedic and after burn treatment: 1994
• The Wellness Community Center of the Central Coast,
  A free program of education, emotional support and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones)
  Founding Board Member, 2006
• Central Coast Health Partners, Board of Directors, Oct. 1997-1998
• French Hospital Medical Center
  Board of Directors 1997 -1999
  Chairman 1998
• Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
  Board of Directors 1988-1998
  Chairman of the Board 1997 and 1998
• General Hospital Governing Board
  Leadership Committee and Steering Committee, 1999-2003
• Model of Care Partnership Oversight Committee (Martha’s Place)
  Works to ensure that all children receive any interventions, treatment, and support needed to reach their highest level of growth and development.
  Founding Member 2004 - Present
• Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo Regional Health Authority (CENCAL)
  Advocates for comprehensive health care coverage
  Board Member 2008-Present

Leadership for Better Schools

Awards/Recognition:

• Community College League of California
  In recognition of exemplifying in life the value of community colleges, awarded Distinguished Alumnus of 2008
• Cuesta College Honored Alumni
  Alumnus of the Year, 2007
• Lucia Mar unified School District, Hall of Fame Honoree 2006
• Association of California School Administrators
  Outstanding Service to Education Award, 1998
• Arroyo Grande High School Homecoming Grand Marshall: 1996

Involvement:

• Arroyo Grande High School Student Support Center
  Organizing Committee Member 2000-2007
• Project Educate to Build an Oceano Library- Co-Chair, 2003-2005
• San Luis Obispo Literacy Council
  Associate 1994-1997
• Arroyo Grande High School
  Eagles' Basketball Wall of Gold Charter Member: 1992