Nan Drake

Nan Drake, government affairs and public relations director for Harrison Industries, is this year’s recipient of the Ventura County Economic Develop Association’s prestigious Carl Lowthrop Golden Eagle Award for outstanding public service.

Drake received the award – VCEDA’s highest honor – during the organization’s recent 64th annual Installation of Officers event at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. The award is named in honor of Lowthrop, whose vision guided VCEDA for two decades, and is given each year to a volunteer demonstrating exemplary character.

Drake has over a 35-year record of service in Ventura County in both the public and private sectors. A member of the Ventura City Council from 1985 to 1989, she currently serves on the executive board of VCEDA as well as on the board of directors of the Economic Development Cooperative, Ventura County, and the Ventura and Carpinteria Chambers of Commerce. In addition, Drake is co-chair of the Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee.

Drake also served as chair of the Los Angeles Region Water Quality Board and as a board member of the California Integrated Waste Management Board. In 2012 Drake was honored for the fifth consecutive year as one of the Top 50 Women in Business in the Tri-Counties by the Pacific Coast Business Times.