Jim Brabeck
President/CEO Farm Supply
“My business success
was built on what I
learned here at Cuesta”
The San Luis Obispo County Farm Supply Company was formed in 1950 as a non tax-exempt agricultural supply cooperative to provide goods and services to the agricultural community of San Luis Obispo County. It is owned by approximately 2,200 agricultural families and continues to service farmers, ranchers, vintners, as well as homeowners and businesses from its four locations in Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo.
Jim was hired in 1965 to service water wells and pumps, a part of the business which has grown to become the largest pump company in the county providing 24-hour repair service to its customers. He rose through the ranks to become General Manager in 1969 and was promoted to President/CEO in 2003.
Led by the Farm Supply model of community, Jim was instrumental to the creation of Cuesta College Business Partners in 1995. As a charter member, Jim knew that lifelong learning and training opportunities require a collaborative effort between the College and local employers.
The semi-annual President’s Roundtable gives Cuesta’s Business Partners the opportunity to communicate the changing needs among the county’s workforce and influence the direction of vocational programs and educational opportunities at Cuesta College. The evidence of Cuesta’s longstanding commitment to excellence is reflected in its growing enrollment and the excellence of its graduates well trained in the fields of hospitality, viticulture, agriculture, nursing and 60 other vocational programs.
A 1974 Cuesta Graduate, Jim contributes his success to the education he received at Cuesta College. “Cuesta College provided the foundation upon which my business and community success was built.”
His gratitude has been reflected back to the college he loves in many ways. He served eight years as a member of the Board of Trustees, two terms as President. He served on the North County Site Selection Committee for the new campus. He chaired The Campaign for Cuesta Cabinet, which oversaw the fundraising of millions of dollars for the purchase and construction of the North County Campus as well as new technology for both campuses. “I think my greatest achievement in serving Cuesta was to be a part in creating the North County Campus, a dream 30 years in the making. Raising money for Cuesta College and giving back was easy given the quality of the administration, faculty and classified personnel who have made Cuesta College the crown jewel of all community colleges within our state.”
In 1999 he was chosen as Cuesta College Honored Alumnus.Continuing the tradition, the Cuesta College Foundation Honored Alumnus Committee led by Iris Swisher, the Foundation’s Vice President, helped President Marie E. Rosenwasser review the list of outstanding nominees and chose Greig Welch, Class of 1970 and Principal of Paso Robles High School, to be the 2004 Honored Alumnus. Cuesta graduates Jim and Greig share much in common with each other and with all those who pass through Cuesta doors. They have become compassionate, successful leaders, who serve humbly as community volunteers.