Past honorary mayors and candidates took the stage with Noah Wright. From left are Katie Yount (2023-2025), Jen Rodriguez (2022), Heather Ford, Jim Cralle, Keith Wright (2018), Noah Wright (2025/2026), Rachel Griffith (2016), Karyn BarthMoore (2015), Dot Boyd, Dustin Buck (2008), Cathy Smallhouse (1991) and Kimberley Pitillo, Fair Oaks Chamber CEO/President. Photo by Judy Andrews

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - In a historic achievement, 21-year-old college student Noah Wright has been named the 47th honorary mayor of Fair Oaks.

Wright raised an impressive $45,471 during the Fair Oaks Chamber’s recent 2025 to 2026 campaign. 

“This is the highest amount ever raised by an honorary mayor since the program was created in 1979 as a creative way to support the chamber and local charities,” announced Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Kimberly Pitillo.

The unveiling occurred on Oct. 7 during a special celebration for this year’s two candidates at North Ridge Country Club. More than 100 supporters, including chamber members, past honorary mayors and the candidates’ family and friends, attended. 

Noah Wright poses with Angela Lee, the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation’s Operations Director. Wright raised more than $45,471, with half of the funds going to the foundation. Photo by Judy Andrews

Wright replaces Katie Yount, who served from 2023 to 2025, and raised more than $34,000 during her campaign.

Wright ran for the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, which will receive $22,735, half of the total he raised. The Chamber of Commerce receives the other half to support its community programs and events.

Wright, a Bella Vista High School graduate, is a fourth-generation “Fair Oakian” and the youngest Fair Oaks honorary mayor to hold that title. He currently attends Sierra College and plans to transfer to University of California, Davis next fall to study winemaking. Wright has worked at several top-rated wineries in the area and last year studied winemaking in France. The trip was partly funded through a scholarship Wright received from the chamber’s Youth Advisory Board.

“I wanted to follow in my father, Keith’s, footsteps and give back to the community that has given me so much over the years,” Wright told the crowd. “I started volunteering at the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank when I was nine. So it only made sense that I support them by choosing the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, which administers several local charitable programs, including the food bank.”

Noah Wright’s volunteer campaign managers included Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Mary Howard and his grandmother, Jeanette Woodward, who is a chamber board of director. Photo courtesy of Mary Howard

 

Business owner and entrepreneur Heather Ford competed against Wright in the friendly four-month race from June to September. Ford raised $26,127 for her chosen charity, the Fair Oaks Rotary Foundation. Thanks to her efforts, the foundation will receive $13,063. The organization supports educational and charitable projects for youth and senior citizens in Fair Oaks and Sacramento County. 

Known as “Mattress Mama” to her friends, Ford owns The Restful Roost, a boutique bedding store located at 8137 Sunset Ave., number 110, in Fair Oaks.

“My run for honorary mayor was about carrying on a family legacy of ‘service above self,’ which is a core value of the Rotary Club,” Ford said. “It felt only natural to follow in the footsteps of my parents, Jim and Diana Cralle, who are proud Rotarians.”

In a fun twist, both Ford’s and Wright’s fathers, Jim Cralle and Keith Wright, competed for the title in 2018. Although Keith Wright raised the most money, the men’s combined effort brought in more than $51,285 for the community.

“The Fair Oaks honorary mayor’s program keeps getting bigger and better each time,” Pitillo said. “Together, Noah and Heather raised an all-time high of $71,598. To date, all 47 honorary mayors, including Wright, have raised over $633,905 for the community.”

Heather Ford proudly poses with her mother and father, Rotarians Jim and Diana Cralle. Ford fundraised for the Fair Oaks Rotary Foundation. Photo by Judy Andrews

The race is volunteer-driven and non-partisan. Candidates raise funds through events organized and hosted by their campaign teams and generally held at venues owned by chamber members. The candidate who raises the most money for their chosen charity by the end of the campaign earns the prestigious title. 

Wright and Ford acknowledged their campaign managers, sponsors, supporters and families for their behind-the-scenes efforts and dedication.

Wright’s co-campaign managers included his grandmother, Jeanette Woodward, and Mary Howard.

Rachel Griffith was Ford’s campaign manager with Anupama Shojaei.

In his thank-you speech, Wright shared, “The honorary mayor’s race is not about winning, it's about giving back to the community as a whole. Thanks to this program, we are bettering our community for the future.”

We’re excited to learn more about this new honorary mayor in the coming months and watch him serve the community at various events. This young man has a bright future ahead of him.