CITY OF FRESNO
Office of Council President Mike Karbassi
WH EREAS, Diane Carbray was raised in Corning, Kansas as one of 13 children in a proud farming family, and went on to earn her degree from Benedictine College before receiving a Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University, laying the foundation for a dynamic and pioneering career; and
WH EREAS, Diane launched her professional journey in 1977 as the Ticket Manager for the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League, and in 1980, moved to the West Coast to serve as Director of Operations and later Executive Director for the San Jose Earthquakes, where she led stadium operations and team logistics; and
WH EREAS, Diane brought her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to the entertainment industry as co-founder of Projects West Entertainment, producing over 400 postgame concerts across two decades, including major performances such as The Beach Boys, who headlined events following large-scale sporting games; and
WH EREAS, in 1991, Diane and her husband John Carbray created the Fresno Stadium Founders, spearheading a visionary campaign that brought professional baseball back to Fresno. Their early marketing success led to over 3,000 ticket commitments before a team or stadium even existed, paving the way for the Fresno Diamond Group’s acquisition of the Fresno Grizzlies in 1997; and
WH EREAS, under their leadership, Grizzlies Stadium was built in downtown Fresno and opened in 2002 to a sold -out crowd of more than 13,000 fans, becoming a cornerstone of downtown revitalization and a beloved community asset; and
WH EREAS, Diane joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County in 2006 as Executive Director, later becoming President and CEO in 2017, where her leadership, vision, and tenacity helped guide the organization through economic hardship and a global pandemic, ensuring that critical services for youth never ceased; and
WH EREAS, during her tenure, Diane expanded and revitalized Club facilities across the region —including new openings in Huron and Reedley, major renovations in Clovis, Firebaugh, and Fresno, and the acquisition of 8 new vans to improve transportation—while also building out a strong leadership team and modernizing communications, finance, and operations; and
WH EREAS, under Diane’s guidance, the organization remained open during the COVID-19 shutdown, creating Learning Labs and distributing food boxes to families, and successfully celebrated its 75th Anniversary with expanded visibility, support, and community pride; and
WH EREAS, Diane Carbray has dedicated herself to leaving a legacy of service, equity, and opportunity for underserved youth throughout Fresno County, ensuring that the Boys & Girls Clubs remain a trusted place for learning, growth, and belonging for generations to come; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Council, do hereby honor and recognize Diane Carbray for her remarkable leadership, bold vision, and lifelong dedication to youth, sports, community, and the betterment of Fresno.
“Diane Carbray”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 26 th
day of June 2025.
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ JERRY DYER, Honorable Mayor MIKE KARBASSI, Council President
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ MIGUEL ARIAS, Council Vice President ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember District 1
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ TYLER MAXWELL, Councilmember District 4 BRANDON VANG, Councilmember District 5
_____________________________________________ __________________________________________ NICK RICHARDSON, Councilmember District 6 NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember District 7