Doug and Kathy Filipponi have built a life rooted in family, agriculture, community service and a deep appreciation for Atascadero and the Central Coast. Their commitment to the people and places that have shaped their lives makes them fitting recipients of the 2026 Colony Day Royalty honor.

A lifelong San Luis Obispo County resident, Doug was raised in Atascadero and graduated from Atascadero High School before attending Cal Poly, where he studied Agricultural Business Management. It was there that he met Kathy, who had grown up on a ranch in Northern California and was also attending the university.

The couple has now been married for more than 53 years. Together, they raised two children and are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren.

Kathy went on to build a career in education, teaching at several schools throughout California's Central Coast. Doug pursued a career in agriculture, business and the wine industry while maintaining the ranching traditions that have long been part of the couple's lives.

Today, Doug is co-owner and operator of Filipponi & Thompson Drilling with his childhood friend, Ned Thompson. He and Kathy are also part owners of Santa Margarita Ranch and run cattle on their ranch in Creston. For the Filipponis, ranching is more than a business — it is a way of life centered on stewardship, family and a connection to the land.

Doug is an avid pilot and horseman, while both he and Kathy enjoy trail riding, working cattle and spending time caring for the land with family and friends. Their shared appreciation for agriculture and the Western way of life has remained a constant throughout their marriage.

Doug's leadership in the wine and agricultural industries has earned him numerous honors, including California Mid-State Fair Wine Industry Person of the Year and Agriculturalist of the Year. He has served as president of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and the Paso Robles Cab Collective, as well as chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Festival.

He is also a member of Rancheros Visitadores, an organization dedicated to preserving the traditions and lifestyle of the American West. Both Doug and Kathy remain active in local and statewide agricultural and cattle organizations, advocating for the continued strength of the region's agricultural communities.

While their professional accomplishments are extensive, community service has been equally important to the Filipponis.

Doug is a member and past president of the Atascadero Rotary Club and has been recognized for his contributions to the community, including being named the Atascadero Chamber's Citizen of the Year and receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

Together, Doug and Kathy have supported and volunteered with numerous organizations throughout the region, including Lighthouse Atascadero, CASA, the Women's Shelter, Hospice, CAPSLO, Special Olympics, FFA and 4-H. Their support reflects a longstanding belief in giving back and helping strengthen the community for future generations.

Doug has also served on the AgWest Farm Credit Board of Directors and the Atascadero High School Athletic Foundation, where he served as president and continues to volunteer. The couple remains active with the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen's Association and continues to support agricultural education, youth development and rural communities.

From the ranch to the classroom, from agriculture and business to volunteer service, Doug and Kathy have spent their lives investing in the Central Coast.

Past Colony Day Queens

2025 — JoAnn Davis

2024 — Janey Giessinger

2023 — Christine Clickard

2022 — Ramona Phillips

2021 — Charlotte Byrne

2020 — No Royalty*

2019 — Bonne Scott

2018 — Jeanne Colvin

2017 — Doris Reynolds

2016 — Judy Harris

2015 — Wilma Sparling

2014 — Alice O’Dell

2013 — Atascadero Centennial*

2012 — Peggy O'Malley

2011 — Linda Tarbell-Messer

2010 — Roberta Green

2009 — Austa Hamann

2008 — Diane Gouff

2007 — Marian Hoffman

2006 — Katherine Lickers

2005 — Noel Owens

2004 — Nancy Rasmussen

2003 — Bonnie Wilkins

2002 — Lorna Young

2001 — Marvelle Peterson

2000 — Gerry Norton

1999 — Ginny Jespersen

1998 — Shirley Moore

1997 — Joy Cavanagh

1996 — Betty Hendrix

1995 — Helen Ewing

1994 — Rosa Miller

1993 — Thelma Moore

1992 — Lois Freydl

1991 — Esther Porter

1990 — Ellen Baer

1989 — Pat Bissell

1988 — Mable Grace Lewis

1987 — Phyllis Heilmann

1986 — Elinore McGarvey Duncan

1985 — Elaine Oglesby

1984 — Mary Martinez

1983 — Alice Dulitz

1982 — Wanda Frank

1981 — Caroline Rehbock

1980 — Avril Doris Kenney

1979 — Francis Radke

1978 — Katie Henderson

1977 — Harriet Poole

1976 — Mable Ruskovitch

1975 — Mazie Adams

1974 — Ida L. Moore

Past Colony Day Kings

2025 — Dave Davis

2024 — Don Giessinger

2023 — Donn Clickard

2022 — Dan Phillips

2021 — Mike Byrne

2020 — No Royalty*

2019 — Jack Scott

2018 — Lamon Colvin

2017 — Ed Chidlaw

2016 — Frank Sanchez

2015 — Bob Sparling

2014 — Henry Barba

2013 — Atascadero Centennial*

2012 — Tom O'Malley

2011 — Don Messer

2010 — Fred Green

2009 — Duane Hamann

2008 — Rod Gouff

2007 — Arnold Hoffman

2006 — Earl Adams

2005 — Huey Owens

2004 — Paul Rasmussen

2003 — Bob Wilkins Jr.

2002 — Albert Young

2001 — Harold D. Peterson

2000 — Norman Norton

1999 — Chris Jespersen

1998 — Don Moore

1997 — Ray Cavanagh

1996 — Rex Hendrix

1995 — Clay Goodrich

1994 — Rex Miller

1993 — William J. Moore

1992 — Ruth Doser

1991 — George Porter

1990 — Milton Baer

1989 — Faye Chase

1988 — Will Lewis

1987 — Otto Heilmann

1986 — Dave Duncan

1985 — Loris Oglesby

1984 — Bill Martinez

1983 — Charles Bissell

1982 — Fred Frank

1981 — Kettner Rehbock

1980 — Rowland Kenney

1979 — Clarence Radke

1978 — Earl Henderson

1977 — Bob Pierce

1976 — John Ruskovitch

1975 — Russell Adams

1974 — Dave Cowan