A farmer, educator and veteran, Ken Vogel grew up farming in Linden and graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor’s degree in history, Master's degree in education, and Teaching and Administrative credentials.
Following college Ken enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1968. Ken was a member of the Army Reserve until 2000 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Ken is a member of the Modesto American Legion Post #74.
Farmer
Ken, a lifelong farmer, raises over a hundred acres of walnuts and cherries in the Linden and Farmington areas marketing through local companies. In 2004, Ken received an award from Diamond Walnut as the Outstanding Hartley Walnut Grower of the area for that year.
Ken is a member and Past Director of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau. He is also a member of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. In 2015 Ken was awarded the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau President's award for his lifetime of service to San Joaquin County Agriculture.
Educator
Ken began his career as an educator in 1968 with the Fresno Unified School District. In 1980 he joined the staff of Lodi Unified School District as a teacher. He would ultimately work as Vice-Principal and Principal for LUSD until his retirement in 2004.
During his educational career Ken received the Lodi Lodge #256 of Masons Award for Outstanding Professional Service to Students of Public Schools. Ken also received the John Terry Award from the Lodi School Administrators Association for Outstanding Educator, and was named Boss of the Year in 2001 by the Lodi CSEA group of classified employees.
Public Servant
Ken was elected to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2007 serving until 2014 when he was termed out. Ken represented the cities of Ripon, Escalon and Rural San Joaquin County. Ken is widely considered by his peers as a leading Water Expert in the Delta Region.
During his tenure on the Board of Supervisors Ken served on the Advisory Water Commission, the Agricultural Advisory Board, the Board Water Committee, the Groundwater Banking Authority, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency and the 5 Delta Counties Coalition.
Prior to his election as County Supervisor Ken served as Trustee and President of the Linden Unified School District Board of Education from 1992 to 2006.
In 2014 Ken was inducted into the Lodi Community Hall of Fame for his contributions to government.