Mike Pettibone grew up in Shingle Springs on an 11-acre ranch surrounded by undeveloped land. In those days, he and his brothers, locally known as the “Pettibone Boys,” would go backpacking for days on end, often walking three miles to the nearest general store and back just for fun. He also had the opportunity to raise livestock and participate in organizations such as 4-H. “It all opened my eyes to the impact of being involved in the community,” he attests. 
Pettibone is now the owner of short
busrides.com, otherwise known as Foothill Area Rapid Transit (FART) Premier Limo Bus Service, and is an active member of numerous local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Placerville, the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and the Placerville Drive Business Association. He was also instrumental in bringing about the first Hangtown Holiday Ice Rink last winter: a popular event that he hopes to make an annual tradition in Placerville. His primary goal with all his activities is to preserve Placerville’s small-town atmosphere for young people to enjoy. “I want to give the generation behind me the same opportunities I had growing up in El Dorado County,” Pettibone says. He raised his own three children with the same community spirit—a spirit he hopes will spread throughout the region, making it an even better place to call home.

 — Amber Foster