Category: News Releases

Roger A. Isom, president and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA), has joined the board of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF).

Isom has worked for CCGGA since 1992 and WAPA since 2009. He has 31 years of regulatory and legislative advocacy experience, specializing in environmental and safety matters. Isom’s responsibilities include the management of staff and day-to-day operations of CCGGA and WAPA. During his career, he has served on numerous boards and committees; he currently serves as president of the Ag Energy Consumers Association and manages the Navel Orangeworm Action Committee. In July 2023, Isom was named president of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering.

“Roger will be a strong addition to our dedicated board,” said CALF Board Chair Mike Young (35). “His insight, plus decades of experience and leadership in California agriculture, will benefit the foundation’s success. His staff includes an Ag Leadership Program alum and a Class 52 fellow, so he understands the value of the program and fully supports the foundation’s mission, vision and values.”

Said Isom, “Having worked the past three decades in the regulatory and legislative arena on agricultural issues, I know how important it is to have strong up and coming leaders in our industry. With so many colleagues, members, board members and staff participate in Ag Leadership, I have seen firsthand the effectiveness of the program. I am thrilled to be considered for this position, and I look forward to helping the foundation develop the leaders who will fight for our industry for years to come.”

Isom joins 11 CALF board members, including Michael Young, Wegis & Young, chair; Cameron Boswell, J.G. Boswell Company, vice chair; Emily Rooney, Agricultural Council of California, secretary/treasurer; Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies; Jason Cole, Cole Limited; Correen Davis, Gorrill Ranch; Rob Goff, Wonderful Orchards; Fidela Irigoyen, Wells Fargo; Dr. Joel Kimmelshue, Land IQ; Paul Parreira, RPAC; and Dr. Martin Sancho-Madriz, Cal Poly Pomona.

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Twenty-four individuals have been selected for Class 53 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, an advanced leadership development experience for emerging, mid-career leaders in agriculture. The new fellows will be inaugurated into the program on Oct. 5 at Fresno State.

Through dynamic seminars during an intensive 17-month program, fellows are immersed in numerous topics, including leadership theory, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence and other skills and tools that contribute to improved performance. Four partner universities – Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis – deliver integrated, comprehensive and diverse curriculum at the seminars. Fellows will participate in approximately 55 seminar days, including a 10-day national travel seminar and a 14-day international travel seminar.

“The California Ag Leadership Foundation (CALF) grows leaders who make a difference and go on to make a positive impact in their families, businesses, communities and ultimately, California agriculture,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “Participating program alumni assemble a diverse and inclusive class of fellows who represent a broad cross section of our ag industry and the state’s population. We’re excited for the fellows to kick off their Ag Leadership journey next month.”

CALF invests more than $50,000 per fellow to participate in the program, which is underwritten by individual and industry donations. Ag Leadership is considered one of the premier leadership programs in the United States. Since 1970, more than 1,400 California Agricultural Leadership Program fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community. For more information about the program, visit agleaders.org.

Class 53 Fellows

• Hillari Bynum, Safe Food Alliance, Sacramento
• Jeana Cadby, Western Growers, Atascadero
• Tomas Aguilar Campos, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Mecca
• Kyle Collins, Allied Grape Growers, Lodi
• Bob Donnelly, Central California Almond Growers Association, Fresno
• Nick Edsall, Bullseye Farms, Woodland
• Manny Gaitan, Rain for Rent, Indio
• Miguel Gomez, Driscoll’s, Watsonville
• Deissy Ibarra, Toor Farming / Custom Almonds, Earlimart
• Krystal Jenkins, Nufarm Americas, Escondido
• Ariana Joven, The Wonderful Company, Bakersfield
• Scott McArthur, McArthur Ranches, Durham
• Kurt Metheny, Limoneira Company, Santa Paula
• Jack Norton, Terpene Belt Farms, Valley Springs
• Daniel O’Connell, O’Connell Cattle Co., Sacramento
• Katie Panici, Kern Machinery, Bakersfield
• Michelle Paul, AgWest Farm Credit, Rocklin
• Kristi Robinson, K. Robinson Farms, Clovis
• Taj Samran, Hilltop Ranch, Inc., Turlock
• Joe Sequenzia, Zenith Agribusiness Solutions, Roseville
• Bryce Spycher, Almond Board of California, Turlock
• Jodi Switzer, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, Ventura
• Amanpreet Virk, Gallo Vineyards, Fresno
• Trent Voss, Blue Diamond Growers, Denair

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Media Contact:
Meredith Rehrman Ritchie (28)
CALF Marketing and Communications Manager
mritchie@agleaders.org
916-708-3364

Updated version

MONTEREY – The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council will honor Randy Fiorini (Class 21) and Michael Frantz (Class 36) with the 2023 Profiles in Leadership Award on Oct. 5 in Fresno. The award recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for leadership actions that result in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

“I am thrilled to see our alumni working to create the type of generational impact that is needed in agriculture today,” said CALF Board Chairman Mike Young (35). “Randy and Michael are excellent examples of servant leaders and I applaud them for their efforts in creating innovative solutions and partnerships that make a lasting impact.”

Fiorini was selected as an awardee for his leadership in creating the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC), successful completion of the Delta Plan and continued work to uphold the plan as it went before California’s Superior Court. He lives in Merced County and is owner of Fiorini Ranch and principal owner of Farmco LLC and Fiorini Consulting.

“Receiving word that I had been selected as one of this year’s Ag Leadership Profiles in Leadership Award recipients was quite an honor,” said Fiorini. “Those who offered the nomination know me very well and it is humbling to think that my work in water and water policy rose to this level of appreciation.”

Fiorini is a founding member of the DSC, which was created in 2009 to coordinate and improve state policies affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. As chair, he led the DSC in efforts to seek consensus among stakeholders and state agencies in creating the first-ever Delta Plan as required by the 2009 Delta Reform Act.

Frantz was selected as an awardee for his work in advancement and innovation as a Turlock Irrigation District (TID) board member. He lives in Stanislaus County and is president of Frantz Wholesale Nursery LLC.

“To me, Ag Leadership has always been much larger than just a two-year fellowship; it is an extended family that truly desires good outcomes for all things agriculture,” said Frantz. “To get the call about the award from this organization, one that I care so much about, that was pretty special.”

Frantz’s nominators wrote that since joining the TID board of directors in 2009, he has been a stalwart presence, continuously driving the district toward advancements and innovation in the reliable and cost-effective delivery of water and power.

This year’s recipients will be recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 5 at Fresno State, in conjunction with the Class 53 inauguration. A welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the award ceremony, inauguration and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $40 per person. For event and RSVP information, visit agleaders.org/events.

 

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION (CALF)
CALF is dedicated to growing leadership in agriculturalists who have the capacity and potential to advance, benefit and promote California agriculture. Since 1970, more than 1,400 California Agricultural Leadership Program fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families.

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MONTEREY – The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) has hired Jodi Litz as its new development manager.

Litz is responsible for setting fundraising targets; engaging current and new donors; collaborating with alumni, staff and board committees to cultivate stakeholder relationships; and maintaining the donor database and customer relationship management tools.

“Jodi is a great addition to CALF’s team of professionals and will be key to achieving our financial strength priorities,” CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson said. “Her work experience and skills – combined with her support of our mission, vision and values – will benefit our development goals, help strengthen relationships with alumni and other stakeholders and further ensure our financial future.”

Litz joins the foundation with several years of experience in development. She most recently worked as the development director for Community Human Services in Monterey and previously served in the same role for Meals on Wheels of Western South Dakota. Born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, she followed her family’s mining legacy by attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, earning her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary sciences. Later in her career, she joined a statewide cohort of nonprofit development professionals who trained at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy – Purdue University Indianapolis. Litz received her certificate in fundraising management by completing the courses Principles and Techniques of Fundraising, Developing Annual Sustainability, Developing Major Gifts and Engaging Women as Donors.

“I am thrilled to join the CALF team and grateful for this incredible opportunity,” Litz said. “The more I learn about the foundation, the Ag Leadership Program and those supporting the work, the more impressed I become. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a well-respected organization and compassionate, knowledgeable team.”

CALF operates the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), considered one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States. Since 1970, more than 1,400 CALP fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families.

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MONTEREY – Applications are now being accepted for Class 53 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP). Applicants should be mid-career growers, farmers, ranchers, horticulturalists, foresters and/or individuals working in other areas of California’s diverse agriculture industry.

The Ag Leadership Program, operated by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), is considered to be one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States. Through the program, fellows learn leadership skills that help them expand their impact. Nearly 1,400 individuals have participated in the program and are influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government, business and other areas.

Over the course of the intensive 17-month program, fellows are immersed in numerous topics, including leadership theory, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence and other skills and tools that contribute to improved performance. Along with individualized leadership development coaching, fellows engage in situations and discussions focused on complex social and cultural issues. They are provided with opportunities to build enhanced critical thinking skills that, combined with a broader perspective, help graduates guide creative solutions throughout their lives.

“As we open the application process for Class 53, we are committed to selecting a group of fellows who have the capacity to grow and lead, and share a commitment to California agriculture,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “Our experienced-based curriculum, personalized coaching and focus on lifelong learning enables the development of leaders who make a difference in their families, communities, companies and ultimately our great industry as a whole.”

The program includes approximately 55 days of formal program activities. Four partner universities—Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis—deliver integrated, comprehensive and diverse curriculum at the seminars. Fellows learn from first-rate educators and subject authorities from many professions and backgrounds. As a valuable extension to the monthly seminars, fellows participate in national and international travel seminars that provide further opportunities to understand interconnected systems and governments, dialogue with policy leaders and compare and contrast cultural dynamics.

CALF invests more than $50,000 per fellow to participate in the Ag Leadership Program. The costs are underwritten by individual and industry donations. Candidates are strongly encouraged to talk with Ag Leadership alumni about the program and to attend an informational event.

Detailed program information and the phase one application are available online at agleaders.org/class53apply/. Phase one of the three-phrase application process is due no later than April 19, 2023. Individuals are encouraged to complete the application as soon as possible.

CONTACT

CALF Programs Manager Judy Sparacino / jsparacino@agleaders.org or 831-585-1030

MONTEREY – The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) has announced the hiring of Dane White as its new director of education (DOE), effective Nov. 1.

White will be responsible for the California Agricultural Leadership Program’s curriculum – in coordination with the four partner university deans – and for delivery of the leadership content presented in the campus and travel seminars. He will work closely with the core faculty from the four campuses, as well as the foundation president and CEO. He will also support other CALF educational programs.

The DOE is responsible for carrying out the mission of the foundation to continue to deliver innovative and transformational leadership content. Through the program’s exceptional curriculum, fellows become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families.

“As an alumna of the program, I am acutely aware of how important it is that we have a director of education that has a passion for education and leadership, who will be committed to growing leaders who make a difference,” said CALF Board Programs Committee Chair Correen Davis (Class 45). “I look forward to supporting Mr. White as he thoughtfully stewards our program into the future.”

White has a background in empowering leadership, learning design and instructional practice. A former high school agriculture teacher, he developed curricula that are used in more than 200 schools in California. He previously consulted to the California Department of Education and most recently worked for Vivayic, Inc., a learning solutions company. White earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from California State University, Chico.

White is a self-described student of learning philosophy, leadership principles and educational theory who seeks to learn from and leverage unique experiences in order to do good in the world.

“I love nothing more than developing people, and to do so as part of this program is a dream,” said White. “I’m eager to join the team, meet our fellows and alumni, and get immersed in the good work to come!”

Following a comprehensive transition period that ensures program continuity, White will succeed Dr. Peggy Perry (Class 9) and Dr. Robert Flores (Honorary Fellow), who have served as co-interim directors of education since May 2021.

CALF operates the California Agricultural Leadership Program, which is considered to be one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States. Since it was first delivered in 1970, more than 1,300 agriculturalists have participated in the program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, government, communities, business and education.

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