Susan Dell’Osso: “I surround myself with brilliant people!”

Whether she’s running Dell’Osso Family Farm or launching the next phase of River Islands Development LLC, Susan Dell’Osso is leaving an indelible mark on the Lathrop, California, community. Those who work with her call her generous to a fault, giving her time, resources, connections and knowledge.

Susan spearheads one of the fast-growing premier master-planned communities in the nation as the visionary president of the River Islands Development in Lathrop. “I’ve always wanted to build a community where everyone feels like they belong, where you don’t want to leave,” she said from her River Islands office that’s within walking distance of her own home near Dell’Osso Farm, a family farm and agritainment venture in Lathrop she owns with her husband, Ron.

The Vision
Developing a community encompassing nearly 5,000 acres is a feat that requires a forward-thinking approach and an unwavering commitment to a vision of how people want to live in their community. “Her wealth of knowledge, strong leadership and unwavering dedication to the growth of our city are invaluable assets,” Lathrop City Manager Stephen Salvatore said. “Susan’s shared vision for making Lathrop one of California’s most successful and forward-thinking cities has been instrumental in driving the remarkable progress we’ve seen over the years.”

Today, the transformation is already evident. The flourishing community has thousands of residents who own homes in its architecturally distinct neighborhoods. Its charter school system has built three thriving K-8 schools. Its new high school opened this school year and will graduate its first class of seniors in 2026.

“It’s very personal,” she said. “Every team member out here wants to build a community where people can thrive.” As president of River Islands, she is responsible for every aspect of the development and has been with the project since its inception in 1989. She also serves as board president of River Islands Academies; she was the original petitioner for the charter school organization. She is president of the Reclamation District 2062 and is an executive board member of the San Joaquin Partnership. Her foresight for establishing River Islands schools was realized before the first homes were occupied.

“Susan came to me with this vision,” Brenda Scholl, executive director of the River Islands Academies, said. “And she has been by my side the entire time. It’s been a great journey. We both want great schools.”

The Built Environment
River Islands is remarkable for its walkability features and open spaces for its residents to take advantage of its trails, parks and water access. It has a fire station, police services headquarters, even its own maintenance district. A new state-of-the-art all-access park for people of all ages and abilities is the largest of its kind in the region. The development already boasts a baseball stadium that books up with tournaments. There is a popular lakeside restaurant and plans to relocate the Redwood Café, a landmark restaurant and wedding venue, from Modesto to River Islands. In the works are a town center with retail spaces for boutique shopping and dining, a large grocery store, a business park, commercial space for medical offices, employment centers and so much more. It’s a place where Susan envisions people can live and thrive the entirety of their lives as plans include apartment living and senior living neighborhoods along with the abundant variety of single-family homes.

Pulling off such a venture has required patience and foresight. Susan is known for surrounding herself with a talented team, forging vital partnerships with key stakeholders in the area, and seeking long-term solutions. “I surround myself with brilliant people,”
she said.

The Infrastructure
While many people know Susan Dell’Osso the developer, it’s her heart that truly makes the difference and makes River Islands a community where everyone feels like they belong. Getting to this point certainly has taken flexibility, compromise and innovative solutions. In 2003, the City of Lathrop approved the River Islands project, Stephen said. There were environmental lawsuits, critical flood management elements to build, habitat restoration and infrastructure projects that included a natural gas pipeline, an electrical transmission line and a road extension to I-205. “I have witnessed her take the River Islands project from its early design and environmental planning stages to its impressive full-scale development,” Stephen said. “Upon completion, River Islands is projected to house over 31,500 residents and create over 16,700 jobs, solidifying its role as a driving force behind Lathrop’s growth and economic success.”

Susan’s ability to forge partnerships, listen to stakeholders and find solutions extends to the residents in the River Islands community. They find her approachable and committed to seeking solutions to any concerns. Last year, she formed an advisory committee of residents in an effort to keep abreast of issues important to homeowners.
Additionally, upon a suggestion from one resident, she jumped at the opportunity to create a new social portal that acts like a community bulletin board for resident interaction. “Zach Matthai, one of our residents, brought the idea to our team and is spearheading it,” she said. “It will be the place where residents can find factual up-to-date information with no trolls, back-bitting, gossip or negativity that you would find on some sites.” It will be the go-to place where residents can learn breaking news about River Islands, such as the identity of the new grocery store that is being planned and updates on the Town Center and other launches.

Spurring residents to make connections with their neighbors, River Islands sponsors events that get the community engaged. During the Christmas season, a holiday lighting contest and drive-by light show, a giving tree and a charity challenge took place. The Dell’Osso Family Farm is also beloved by residents, giving them enriching experiences from olive oil harvesting and cherry picking to its month-long Pumpkin Maze attraction, which draw people from all over the region.

Linda Ruiz said her family’s decision to purchase a home in River Islands in 2018 has been transformative. “Beyond academics, the community itself offered an undeniable appeal. The abundance of walking trails, well-maintained dog parks, easy access to the river, complemented by local dining options such as The Boathouse, enhanced our quality of life considerably,” Linda said. “The affordability factor cannot be overstated. Securing a brand-new home in River Islands, at a price point significantly below Bay Area costs, was a financial advantage that exceeded our expectations. The subsequent appreciation in our home’s value, exceeding 35 percent in equity, is testament to the wisdom of our decision and the strength of the River Islands market.”

Engagement and Experience
Linda has been impressed with Susan’s impact on the community she’s developed. She and other residents say the developer is extremely involved and engages with the community, even attending school graduations. Now empty nesters, Linda and her husband are looking forward to the 55+ Del Webb active adult community.
River Islands has gained many accolades and is routinely honored as one of the top master-planned communities in the state. It is part of The Somerston Group’s vast portfolio of residential and mixed-use land development along with commercial, office and industrial projects. Other holdings include two Napa Valley wineries.
Susan gained the experience in planning, entitlement and land development she would need working on the early stages of Somerston’s Windemere master-planned community in San Ramon. Her business savvy was developed when she attended the University of California at Santa Barbara to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics, a rigorous major, before going on to obtain a master’s degree in business economics.

Susan’s Heart
In 1997, she and her husband, a farmer, opened a destination agritourism operation adjacent to River Islands. Many in Stockton and the surrounding communities know Dell’Osso Family Farms for its famous fall fun when it boasts a huge maze, its signature pumpkin blasters, zip lines, rides, a petting zoo, entertainment, food and all things pumpkin and harvest related. Her family includes a son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons, in-laws, nieces and nephews who, she shares, “are vital to my life.” When asked about Ron, Susan said, “I adore my husband. My family is everything to me.” While the busy businesswoman has little time for leisure, she does make time to work out with her daughter-in-law in the early mornings.

Susan grew up as one of five children in a close-knit, first-generation American-Dutch family who made their home in Fullerton. Her father died when she was just 14 and her mother had to switch gears and become the family’s sole breadwinner in the restaurant industry. She would be Susan’s mentor and biggest influencer.
As she continues to find success in a male-dominated field, Susan has gained the respect and admiration of the industry. But her job isn’t finished yet. River Islands isn’t expected to be completely built out until 2040, when it will boast 15,000 homes and is approved for 5 million square feet of commercial property.
“River Islands has a bright future” she said, “and I am so grateful to help direct its development.”