HCF Gift Legacy eNewsletter 01/26/22

OUR LEADER CIRCLE  Sharon Dilbeck’s caring heart

Growing up in Salinas, Sharon Dilbeck’s life naturally geared her up to be hands-on. Thus, she joined her husband Wayne in the construction family business.

“I worked for my late father-in-law, Fred Dilbeck, who taught me everything I know,” she said. “He gave me the majority of the ownership over Dilbeck & Sons, becoming one of the first woman-owned companies in the area.”

Established in 1982, Dilbeck & Sons, Inc. is a family-owned and operated construction company with the financial strength, bonding capacity and local resources to manage challenging projects.

Sharon and husband Wayne Dilbeck have three adult sons and one daughter, and are proud grandparents to 12 grandchildren. “I love doing things with my grandkids all the time,” she shared.

Another activity Sharon enjoys is giving back to the community and volunteering. She recalls coaching little league and then joining her son in coaching soccer. They enjoyed taking children from underserved areas all over the state to play soccer. Since parents were seldom available to drive them due to work, Sharon made sure transportation was available to them.

That big heart led her to the Hartnell College Foundation seven years ago. “For me, it was the part about getting to work with the community that attracted me to be a part of this,” she said. “I wanted to be involved in something meaningful.”

The Dilbeck family and business also have a connection to Hartnell that predates involvement with the Foundation. Wayne completed an apprenticeship program in carpentry at Hartnell and Sharon had Tony Teresa, the immortalized baseball coach with a field named after him at Hartnell, as her teacher in high school.

Sharon joined the board as well as the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and the Women’s Education & Leadership Institute (WELI) Committee. She went all in!

“The Foundation provides so much support and cares so much for the students,” she said. “It’s amazing to see what really goes on – there is much love.”

Although her interests were initially uplifting Athletic, she soon learned about WELI and fell in love with the program.

“When we started with WELI, it was a game-changer,” she said. “I enjoy the amazing stories of these women; it touches my heart on how they overcome adversity and rise up to be great people in the community.”

Dilbeck takes her role as a businesswoman and as a leader in the community seriously and hopes others can follow her lead.  Along with Dilbeck & Sons, she has given over $125,000 to the Hartnell College Foundation, landing her in the Leader Circle level of giving.

“It is such a great foundation,” she said. “You see the results of their work and the impact that it makes – your money really goes toward helping the students.”

Sharon graduated in 1969 as one of the first four-year graduates from Alisal High School. She has been a part of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, was in the Builders’ Exchange at Hartnell College, and is currently part of Women in Construction.

Her message for students struggling to get by during challenging times is to continue ahead. “You have to continue with your dreams and do not let Covid or anything stand in the way,” she said. “This too shall pass and you can overcome any obstacle.”