ALUMNI & FELLOWS NEWS Classes 1-9
John Salisbury (1) wrote an article for the
Kirk Gilkey (21) was reelected as vice president of the National Cotton Council.
Feb. 1 issue of Avila Beach Life titled, “A new generation of values, wine connoisseurs and e-commerce.”
Kevin Herman (21) was elected chair of the
Bob Dempel (4) wrote a commentary for the
Adan Ortega (23) was seated on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, representing San Fernando. He previously served as the city of Fullerton’s representative from February 2019 until February 2021.
Classes 10-19
David Guy (26), president of the Northern California Water Association, was part of the “Water Futures and Groundwater Trading” panel discussion at the February meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
Jan. 24 issue of Anderson Valley Advertiser about his experience in the Ag Leadership Program and his friend and classmate Lloyd Stueve.
Jacquie Williams-Courtright (11) for many
years has hosted “The Valley Gardener,” a monthly show about local gardening topics that airs on Tri-Valley Community Television. She is the owner of Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore.
Audrey Tennis (12) has served as a Butte
County COVID-19 vaccine volunteer since December 2020.
Ted Sheely (13) was elected president of
Cotton Council International, the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotion arm. He also serves as an NCC advisor, co-chair of the NCC Pink Bollworm Action Committee and chair of Supima.
Danny Merkley (19) wrote a commentary
in the March 17 issue of Ag Alert – “Dry year intensifies focus on California groundwater” – which focused on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the importance of groundwater.
Classes 20-29
Mark McKean (20) was elected to the National Cotton Council (NCC) board of directors. He was also reelected chair of the American Cotton Producers (ACP) of the NCC and will serve as ACP’s at-large director.
California Fresh Fruit Association board for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Devin Nunes (29) in January was awarded
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, from President Trump.
Classes 30-39
Kris Beal (31) was the subject of a feature article about her life, background and career in the March 2021 issue of Central Coast Journal (pages 12-13). Steve McShane (33) received the 2020 Cal
Poly Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award. Cal Poly on Feb. 5 hosted a virtual celebration recognizing the 2020 honored alumni award recipients.
Carlo Bocardo (36) was reelected as a director for Cotton Council International, the National Cotton Council’s export promotion arm. Jon Munger (36) was featured in an April 2 California Rice Commission video, “Rice Season Underway” about the work Montna Farms is doing to prepare for a mid-April plant date.
Cannon Michael (39) was reelected chair of the of the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority Board.
Rick Stark (39) retired in February after a 33-year career with Sun-Maid Growers of California, which included 15 years as a grower relations manager, as well as secretary of the company. In retirement, he’s looking forward to traveling, spending more time with his family, playing golf and woodworking. The Fresno County Farm Bureau in March recognized him as an outgoing director after serving 15 years on its board.
Classes 40-49
Correen Davis (45) was appointed to the
Western Canal Water District board of directors.
Casey Creamer (47) and John McKeon (47) were appointed to the Sustainable Pest
Management Work Group, a new group launched by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and California Department of Food and Agriculture to accelerate the systemwide adoption of safer, sustainable pest control practices.
Jill Scofield (47) participated in the virtual California Farm Day, hosted by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, which reached some 200 teachers and 5,000 students. Representing the California Beef Council, she talked about nutrients in beef. Jill Scofield (47) began her new role as director of communications and industry relations with the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council in April. Luis Calderon (49) was elected to the Ventura County Farm Bureau board of directors for the 2020-2021 term.
21 SPRING 2021 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
