What's newCarl Crug: Special person for a special event
Carl Crug sums up why the Grape Festival is special: “It’s really Lodi. You see your friends, your neighbors. It’s a community tradition, and a fun place to be.”
As president of the Grape Festival board, Crug is among those who help make sure the festival reflects Lodi traditions — and yet retains a sense of freshness each year.
Carl Crug
Crug has served on the festival board for eight years and has worked on the finance, hospitality, events and executive committees.
A native of San Francisco, Crug was graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in aeronautical engineering and industrial management. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and supervised maintenance operations for a variety of military aircraft, including fighters and cargo planes. His Air Force experience also included working as a preparedness liaison officer for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“When there is an emergency, the Air Force is often called on to provide aircraft support. But the Air Force has much more. It has people and trucks and tarps and many resources that can be of assistance.”
Crug’s Air Force experience included five years of active duty and 26 years in the reserves, from which he retired as a colonel.
He entered the banking field and is currently regional vice president of the Bank of Lodi. He oversees the bank’s flagship branch on Ham Lane and is in charge of the bank’s commercial lending operations.
Through the years, much of his job has involved helping businesses expand and flourish.
“It’s very satisfying to see a company succeed,” he said.
Crug also teaches personal finance at San Joaquin Delta Community College and serves on the college’s Banking Advisory Board.
In his Delta classes, he touches on a variety of topics, from investments to insurance, to help prepare students for the realities of financial life.
Crug and his wife, Peggy, have three children: Michael Crug, Michelle Lewis and Renee Crug.
He enjoys his festival service immensely and makes a point to attend many of the festival attractions each year.
“I like the shows, the food, the atmosphere. It’s a clean and safe environment,” he said.
He gives credit to fair manager Mark Armstrong for constantly updating the festival and keeping it engaging and lively.
The festival’s success, he said, is based largely on its ability to remain interesting and entertaining.
“In my view, the festival just gets better every year,” he said.
