Frank E. Bigelow

Franklin Bigelow, the great-grandson of Founder Harmon Bigelow and Leota Bigelow, has been an employee of the Ponderosa Telephone Company since 1973. Frank worked his way through the ranks of the company, learning all facets of the business before moving into a leadership role. As Vice President, Frank works with the Board of Directors to guide his family company into the rapidly evolving future of telecommunications.

Frank is truly embedded in the central valley. He stays active in many organizations and committees, including his election to the Madera Ag Boosters Board of Directors, Past President of the American Shorthorn Association, California Shorthorn Breeder’s Association Board of Directors, and the Madera County Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors. He served as a leader of the Spring Valley 4-H club and is a strong supporter of the Future Farmers of America. Bigelow has also served over 35 years as a Madera County Volunteer Firefighter. In keeping with family tradition, he and his family continue to raise champion registered Shorthorn cattle in the foothills surrounding O’Neals.

A respected public leader, Frank won the seat for the 5th Assembly District in 2012, based on his belief that strong leadership is necessary to confront important issues affecting Madera such as the impact of growth on agriculture, lack of jobs that pay decent wages, private property rights and especially water issues. He held the Supervisorial seat, District 1 in Madera County from 1998 to 2010, and in 2007, Frank was made President of the California State Association of Counties, the first elected official from Madera to serve in that prestigious position.

Also in 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Frank to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley which was formed to bring state agency secretaries and Central Valley representatives together to make recommendations to the Governor regarding changes that would improve the economic well-being of the valley and the quality of life for its residents.