Samuel B. & Margaret C. Mosher

Samuel B. Mosher founded Signal Oil and Gas, which in the 1950’s, was the largest independent oil company on the West Coast. A significant and major company in its day, Signal Oil in addition to its own operations, owned 15% of American Independent Oil and nearly 50% of American President Shipping Lines. In addition Mr. Mosher founded and served as Chairman of The Flying Tigers, a transcontinental airfreight service.

While a very successful businessman and corporate executive, Mr. Mosher’s first love was farming and related agricultural activity. His particular interest centered in orchids and exotic flowers. His 45,000 acre ranch, Dos Pueblos, included Dos Pueblos Orchid Company, a stand alone wholesale flower growing company. The ranch also housed one of the West’s foremost carriage and western artifact collections.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Mosher served on the Regents of the University of California until his death in 1970. Following Mr. Mosher’s death, his wife Margaret, served as President of the Samuel B. Mosher Foundation until her death in 2002. It was Mrs. Mosher’s wish following her death that Edward E. Birch, Vice President of the Foundation and longtime advisor and friend to the Mosher family succeed her by assuming responsibility for the family foundation and serve as President and CEO.