Nielsen names Lohse Woman of the Year

Glenn County resident and Tehama County businesswoman Leslie A. Lohse has been named 2012 Woman of the Year for the 2nd District by Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber.

The Willows resident has served as Tribal Council treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians since 1998, was given a framed resolution during the annual ceremony on Monday in the Assembly chamber at the Capitol.

She also serves on the California Native American Heritage Commission, National Indian Health Services Budget Committee, Tehama County Girls Inc. and serves as the chairwoman for California Tribal Business Alliance.

"This honor took me completely by surprise, and I am very grateful and humbled because there are so many wonderful women in our area and throughout the state. This has been pretty awesome," said Lohse.

During her time with the Paskenta Tribal Council, 57-year-old Lohse participated in putting together the Paskenta Band's purchase of over 2,000 acres in Tehama County, and was instrumental in bringing about the construction of the 70,000-square-foot Rolling Hills Casino that includes three restaurants.

Lohse took an active part in the tribe's success in bringing about two new hotels next to the casino, the John Daly Signature link-style Sevillano Golf Course, and a private hunting club to the tribal lands. The Tribe recently opened the Rolling Hills Clinic, on in Corning and one in Red Bluff, to provide medical and dental services for the county.

"Leslie (Lohse) is a passionate and dedicated citizen who ably serves her revered and historic Nomlaki tribe, her community and her state through her selfless leadership," Nielsen said in a statement. "Her energy and abilities have ensured a bright future for generations now and yet to be born in the north state."

Lohse has chaired and sat on numerous committees over the years, including the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee and National Tribal Budget Advisory Committee, Pacific Region Representative.

She and her husband live in Willows. They have two sons, Erik and Kyle, and four grandchildren.

Held every March during Women's History Month, the Woman of the Year ceremony recognizes one woman from each of the 80 Assembly districts. It started in 1987.

The 2nd Assembly District is comprised of all or parts of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo counties