Donald Stump Given Fran Aleshire Award

The following is a news release from Leadership North County:

Nonprofit leader Donald Stump was honored with the Fran Aleshire Award for his outstanding leadership and regional involvement at the San Diego North Economic Development Council’s Annual Holiday Luncheon and Awards Presentation on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. Stump is the executive director of Oceanside's North County Lifeline, a human services organization that offers a wide range of services to the people of North San Diego County.

Stump is a 2012 graduate of Leadership North County, a program of California State University San Marcos that seeks to cultivate leaders who will address issues unique to the North County region, while also developing harmonious relationships within the cities. In its nearly two decade history, Leadership North County has graduated approximately 250 individuals. Once a month session topics cover a wide variety of topics related to the region including government, business, healthcare, and education.

Each year the Leadership North County Alumni Association presents the Fran Aleshire Award to a graduate of the program who, in the spirit of community leader Fran Aleshire, exhibits the characteristics of great leadership. Individuals are nominated by their peers.

Past recipients include Gina McBride, owner of McBride Financial Advisory (2011), Beckie Garrett (2010), Julie Wright, president and founder of (W)right On Communications (2009); City of San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond (2008), retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Mark Moore (2007), former Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfiler (2006), and former Carlsbad Councilwoman Ramona Finnila (2005).

Stump is the executive director of North County Lifeline, a human services organization that offers a wide range of services to the people of North San Diego County. He possesses 25 years of experience working with non-profit organizations in San Diego County and Boston, Massachusetts that serve youth and families. Since he was appointed executive director in 2007, Stump has led collaborative efforts with local government, public and private service organizations, businesses, schools, and the faith community to ensure the best possible programs and services for North County residents.

“For me this is the highest compliment - to be recognized by my peers,” said Stump. “I think and I hope that they recognize my commitment to not only North County Lifeline’s programs but to solving the broader issues within our communities - such as the need for more sheltering and housing for our region’s homeless and disenfranchised, and filling gaps in services for the most needy – such as intervention and support for victims of human trafficking. Other issues that Stump noted that North County Lifeline is currently working to address include the expansion of housing and self-reliance services for youth aging out of foster care and teen suicide prevention.

“I consider my Leadership North County experience to be one of the top things that I have done,” he said. “I’ve built relationships that will last the rest of my career and I’ve learned so much about our community.”