VBJ July 2021

THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
24 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com
July 2021
CHERISE MANNING NAMED
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Manning, co- founder of a Grape
Escape Balloon Adventure, brings her
business experience, relationships and
history of the area to one of the largest
non-profits in the valley. She said her
focus on communication, connections
and long-term planning will be essential
in leading the organization as it serves
local and international communities in
the coming year.
“After a year of very little personal
contact, it is my goal to reconnect members
within our club, and to connect fellow
Rotarians with our extended valley
and community,” Manning said.
Since 1975, the Rotary Club of Temecula
has been serving Temecula Valley
residents. With over 100 members of diverse
backgrounds, the club has invested
thousands of dollars and volunteer hours
into the community. The Temecula Rotary
has several ongoing committees that
support local Youth, Seniors, Military
families and the Homeless, as well as
International projects. Rotary’s stated
mission is “to create a world where
people unite and take action to create
lasting change -- across the globe, in our
communities, and in ourselves.”
Manning and her husband Rusty
own a Grape Escape Balloon Adventure,
a local hot air balloon tour company
where Cherise is the general manager
over business operations. She has been
an active member of the Rotary Club of
Temecula since 2016 and will follow in
her husband’s footsteps as President. He
led the club in 2006-07.
“I am honored to have been chosen to
lead such hardworking individuals who
give of their money and time,” Manning
said. “My goal this next year is to connect
our members in a fun year of fellowship
and service.”
Manning is active in the community
in other areas as well, serving as Treasurer
on the Board of Directors for Visit
Temecula Valley. She was awarded the
Welty Tourism Professional of the Year
Award in 2016. In addition, she sits on
the Board of Directors for the Temecula
Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has
served as a chairperson for the Temecula
Valley Balloon & Wine Festival for 25
years. Manning and her husband have
lived in Temecula since 1991 and raised
their two children, Kyle and Kayla, in
the Valley.
The Rotary Club of Temecula meets the
first, second and third Wednesday of each
month from 12:00 – 1:30 pm at Bolero
Winery, 41150 Via Europa, Temecula.
For more information or to attend a
meeting, visit rotarycluboftemecula.com.