Alumni & Fellows News

John Salisbury (1) wrote an article for the Feb. 1 issue of Avila Beach Life titled, “A new generation of values, wine connoisseurs and e-commerce.”

Bob Dempel (4) wrote a commentary for the Jan. 24 issue of Anderson Valley Advertiser about his experience in the Ag Leadership Program and his friend and classmate Lloyd Stueve.

Classes 10-19

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. Kirk Gilkey (21) was reelected as vice president of the National Cotton Council.

Kevin Herman (21) was elected chair of the California Fresh Fruit Association board for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

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.

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.

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.

Lindsey Liebig (50) in February was elected to continue as chair of the board of the Herald Fire Protection District.

Multiple Classes

John Duarte’s (28) business, Duarte Nursery, provided COVID-19 vaccines to hundreds of its workers in March. In a Modesto Bee article, Duarte said the clinic came together after a phone call with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross

(Honorary Fellow).

Glenn Proctor (29), Jeff Bitter (32), Chris Carpenter (34) and Karen Ross (Honorary

Fellow) were speakers during the virtual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in January.

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement board announced leadership changes: Dan Sutton (40) was reelected to serve as board chair. Chris Drew (47) and Jack Vessey (34)

were elected to the board. Sharan Lanini (16) transitioned from board member to alternate member.

Casey Creamer (47) and Ian LeMay (48)

wrote a guest commentary in the March 10 issue of the Lompoc Record – “Prioritize California’s farmworkers and provide them with COVID vaccines.”

Pete Fallini (10)

Pete Fallini, of Santa Paula, passed away in February. He was a grower and manager of Farmers Irrigation Company, and active in the industry and his community. He was a devoted member and leader of the Rotary Club of Santa Paula, through which he received the Rotarian of the Year Award and 2006 Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award. As a member of Class 10, Pete traveled to China, Hong Kong and the Philippines for the international travel seminar in 1981, and to Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania for the national travel seminar in 1980.

Jerry O’Banion (27)

Jerry O’Banion passed away on Feb. 14, 2021 at the age of 74. His two passions in life were his family (wife, three children and grandchildren) and community service. Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture and a teaching credential in agricultural education in 1969, while also serving in the Army National Guard. He worked for UC Cooperative ExtensionFresno County and then returned to the family business in Dos Palos as part-owner of O’Banion Ranches. He served 10 years on the Dos Palos City Council and then 28 years on the Merced County Board of Supervisors. Jerry was a longtime supporter of local organizations. Upon retirement in 2018, he and his wife and children formed J & J O’Banion Ranch, farming almonds. With Class 27, he traveled to Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa in 1998.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE?

PLEASE SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NEWS TO:

lrobertson@agleaders.org

Applications Open for Leopold Conservation Award

NUMEROUS AG LEADERSHIP ALUM HAVE BEEN HONORED

Applications are being accepted until July 15 for the California Leopold Conservation Award. The prestigious award honors California farmers, ranchers, foresters and other agricultural landowners who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and management of natural resources. Award recipients receive a prize of $10,000. Nomination applications focus on the categories of conservation ethic, resilience, leadership and communication, innovation and adaptability, and ecological community. Apply at https://suscon.org/ project/leopold-conservation-award/.

CALF is proud of the accomplishments of our alumni and their families, and we expect more alum will receive this outstanding recognition in the future.

2020 / Burroughs Family of Farms

Rosie Burroughs (30) Benina Montes (36)

2018 / Lundberg Family Farms

Jessica Lundberg (33)

2017 / Thomson International, Inc.

Jeff Thomson (3)

2016 / Lone Star Ranch

Dina Moore (26)

2015 / Prather Ranch

Jim Rickert (16)

2012 / Giacomazzi Dairy

Dino Giacomazzi (36)

2011 / Koopmann Ranch

Carissa Koopmann Rivers (44)

2010 / Montna Farms Nicole Van Vleck (26)

2009 / Red Rock Ranch

John Diener (20)

2007 / Sierra Orchards Craig McNamara (28)

2006 / LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards

Randall Lange (14) Bradford Lange (17)