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One of Valencia's newest parks celebrates part of the Santa Valencia for barley and other dry farming operations.
Clarita Valley's rich history. Chesebrough Park, which was "He was an important part of our company's history, had a
dedicated in July, is named after the late Robert "Bobby" significant part of shaping this community, and thanks to this park,
Chesebrough, Sr., a great-grandson of Henry Mayo Newhall. will be remembered in a wonderful way long into Valencia's
It was Newhall's heirs who founded The Newhall Land and future," Gary Cusumano, Newhall Land's CEO and President, said
Farming Company to manage the vast land tracts in the Santa during the park's dedication ceremonies.
Clarita Valley left in the patriarch's estate. Chesebrough's mother, The seven-acre site, developed by Newhall Land and the
Elizabeth, was the daughter of Henry Mayo Newhall's son William. County of Los Angeles, features a softball field, grass area, tot lot,
Chesebrough's father, Arthur, served as ranch manager for restrooms, and a group picnic area. A paseo bridge over McBean
Newhall Land during the 1920s. Parkway offers safe, traffic-free access. The County's Department
Farming stayed with Chesebrough, and he became a of Parks and Recreation offers a variety of regularly scheduled
successful grower who leased much of the land in and around programs and activities at the park site.

Building Industry Honors Newhall Land's

Gary Cusumano as 2001 Builder of the Year

Gary Cusumano, Chief Executive Officer Santa Clarita Valley both financially and The son of a farmer,
and President of Newhall Land, has been through personal involvement of company Gary Cusumano
named Builder of the Year by the Building employees. Newhall Land was instrumental joined Newhall
Land's agricultural
Industry Association of Greater Los Angeles in establishing a number of organizations
division in 1969,
and Ventura counties (BIA/GLAV). the SCV Boys and Girls Club, HMNMH moving into real
Presented at the joint BIA/GLAV Sales and Foundation, Association to Aid Victims of estate during the
Marketing Council and Women's Council Domestic Violence, Child & Family Center, mid 1980s. He was
named President in
installation dinner, the award recognizes and most recently, the Santa Clarita Valley
1989 and was
housing industry leaders for their individual Resource Center which over the years appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2001 . He
achievements, professional accomplish- have provided important services to continues farming to this day growing a variety of
ments and career contributions to the build- thousands of local families and individuals. oranges, grapes, avocados and other citrus.
ing industry, as well as involvement in Cusumano joined Newhall Land in 1969
community and charitable organizations. and had held various positions in the with all of the hardworking men and women
"Gary was chosen Builder of the Year agricultural and real estate divisions before of Newhall Land who make us a leader in
because of his longstanding personal being named President and Chief Operating creating premier planned communities."
support of the BIA, and for enabling the Officer in 1989. In 2001 he was appointed The son of a farmer, Cusumano was
people at Newhall Land to play an Chief Executive Officer. He is a past chair of born in Northern California and raised in
important role in the BIA's government the California Chamber of Commerce, a Lodi. He completed his education at the
affairs activities," said Ray Pearl, Executive past regent of University of California, a University of California, Davis and, after a
Director of the BIA, LA/Ventura County. member of Urban Land Institute, and serves tour in the US Army, joined Newhall Land.
"He sets a great example as an influential on the Board of Directors for Henry Mayo As newly installed CEO, Mr. Cusumano' s
member of the Los Angeles homebuilders' Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia. !if e-long respect for the land is a guiding
community and has done a lot for the ''I'm extremely honored to be recognized principal as he leads the 118-year-old
building industry over the past year. " by the BIA, an organization that is such an Newhall Land into the 21st Century. He
Under Cusumano's leadership, Newhall integral part of the community of home- and his wife Diana, an active community
Land participates in virtually every builders and our industry at large," said volunteer, reside in the Santa Clarita Valley
charitable and service organization serving Cusumano. "Of course, I share this award and have three grown children.

The View From Valencia - Page 9