2026 Roblan of the Year: Jeff Gallagher

By Camille DeVaul · Fri Feb 27 2026

Jeff Gallagher’s connection to Paso Robles is rooted in decades of hard work, community pride, and a commitment to giving back. With family ties to the area dating back to the 1970s, Gallagher has spent most of his life building not only a successful career but also a lasting legacy in the North County.

From launching his business in Paso Robles in 1995 to leaving a tangible mark on local schools, businesses, wineries, and more, Gallagher’s impact can be seen throughout the area. His dedication extends well beyond job sites, earning him the 2026 Roblan of the Year honor in recognition of a career and a life devoted to strengthening the Paso Robles community.

"I was shocked," Jeff says, taken by surprise at the news. "I thought I thought it was a roast ... I'm honored. I looked online and saw all the names, and I couldn't believe how many people were on that list, and they're all great people, and it's pretty cool."

Jeff's path to Paso Robles began long before he officially called it home. Raised in Ventura County, his family spent countless weekends at a lake house on Nacimiento Lake, building early connections to the Paso Robles area. In 1984, his father, a builder, moved the family from Camarillo to Paso Robles, where Jeff attended Paso Robles High School, wrestled, played football, and quickly found a sense of belonging through friendships already formed at the lake.

After a brief return to Camarillo, Jeff stayed behind to work in the family demolition and concrete-cutting business before ultimately returning to Paso Robles in his early 20s at his dad's birthday wish to reunite the family. What began as a return home soon became the foundation of Jeff’s life in Paso Robles — from meeting his wife shortly after arriving, to raising a growing family, and eventually launching his own concrete and demolition business in the mid-1990s — firmly cementing his future in the community he now proudly calls home.

Jeff’s involvement with Cal Coast Beer Company (Cal Coast) grew from friendship to building something meaningful. Introduced to the project by friend Neil Clayton, Jeff was brought into early conversations with founders Rich Clayton and Frank Panian as they began floating the idea of starting a brewery. Jeff immediately saw the potential, even when the proposed location was still a rough, unfinished space. He signed on as an investor and helped lead the build-out, transforming the site through ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Much of Cal Coast’s character comes from reclaimed materials, including pier wood from Pismo Beach, repurposed tin, and salvaged wood from past demolition projects, all assembled with the help of friends and local contractors who donated time and materials. What began as a scrappy, collaborative effort quickly became a beloved community gathering spot — a testament to doing things the Paso Robles way.

Even after decades in the industry, Jeff remains closely connected to the day-to-day work that built his career. While he’s begun to slow down in recent years, Jeff can still be found on job sites when things get busy. Now 58, his focus has shifted toward mentorship, working side by side with his son, who is preparing to take over the family business.

Watching his son show so much interest in following in his footsteps gives Jeff a sense of pride.

"I get to watch him grow, and he wants to go full throttle," Jeff says.

Having grown up on job sites from a young age, Jeff’s son represents the next generation of a long family legacy in concrete cutting and demolition — an industry Jeff himself entered straight out of high school, starting at the ground level and learning every aspect of the trade. From washing trucks to operating heavy equipment and managing large crews, Jeff's hands-on experience shaped a business that continues to thrive today.

The Ron Gallagher Memorial Golf Tournament stands as one of Jeff’s most meaningful contributions to the community. Established 23 years ago following the sudden passing of his father, Ron Gallagher, the tournament was created as a way to honor a man who left a lasting mark on Paso Robles through his work, generosity, and relationships.

"I love it. I look forward to it every year," Jeff says of the golf tournament. "I can see almost all the same people, and it's a good group of people to get together, and we have a good time."

What began as a memorial event has grown into a beloved annual tradition, now benefiting Paso Robles High School's SkillsUSA programs — a cause closely tied to Ron’s life as a contractor who believed deeply in the trades and in supporting young people entering the workforce.

Jeff recalls all the friends who came to support his family after his father's unexpected death. It's something he will never forget.

"We had a good life with my dad," Jeff says of the many who greatly influenced his life.

Held each year on the third Saturday in August, the tournament sells out within minutes and draws family, friends, and supporters from across the region. Through this event, Jeff has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for education and career training, ensuring his father’s legacy lives on not only in memory, but in opportunity — a reflection of the values Ron Gallagher instilled and Jeff continues to carry forward.

"I just want to thank everybody that voted," Jeff shared. "I had no idea that I was even in the mix, and thanks to all the people in Paso Robles that do what they do, because we have a great city here. Good people live here."

Feature Image by Rick Evans/PRM

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