Agri-Business Council of Arizona, Inc.

Executive Committee

	Executive Director Chris Udall Mesa, AZ
Chris Udall joined the Agri-Business Council of Arizona in November, 2004 after serving as a Congressional Aide to U.S. Representatives J.D. Hayworth and Rick Renzi. As an Agricultural Economics graduate of Brigham Young University, Chris brings extensive experience in federal and state resource issues to this position. He is especially aware of the importance of secure water resources to rural Arizona families and agricultural enterprises. The Agri-Business Council of Arizona was incorporated in 1978. Chris is the fifth Executive Director in the history of the organization and only the third native Arizonan to hold the position. Along with responsibilities as Executive Director, Chris also serves in the following capacities: State Executive and Federal Affairs Committee Member, National Water Resources Association. Advisory Council Member, Family Farm Alliance. State Technical Committee Member, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Advisory Council Member at A.S.U. Polytechnic Campus, Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness. Member, Central Arizona College Agricultural Advisory Council. Agribusiness Committee Member, Arizona Mexico Commission. External Advisory Board Member, University of Arizona’s, Water Resource Research Center (WRRC) University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee Member Governor Brewer’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Water Sustainability, 2010 Advisor, State Water Resources Development Commission, 2010 Secretary, Arizona Foundation for Agricultural Literacy

	President N.W. "Bill" Plummer Water Resources Consultant Scottsdale, AZ
Bill Plummer provides consulting services to irrigation districts, towns and cities in Arizona and has been involved in numerous water and water related programs in South and Southeast Asia for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the United Nations. He has served in a number of policy and management positions in Washington, DC, Denver, Salt Lake City and Boulder City, Nevada with the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the Interior. From 1978 to 1985 he was responsible for all Bureau of Reclamation activities in both the Upper (1978-1981) and Lower (1981-1985) Colorado River Basins. He was the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources from 1988 to 1991 and General Manager of the Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District in 2006-2007. He participates in the following organizations: Agri-Business Council of Arizona-President National Water Resources Association-Member, Board of Directors Family Farm Alliance-Member, Advisory Committee Central Arizona Project Association-President United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage-Member, Long Range Planning Committee International Boundary and Water Commission-Member, Colorado River Citizens Forum, former Co-Chair Colorado River Water Users Association-Member Arizona-Mexico Commission-Member Town of Paradise Valley, Arizona-Member, Water Committee He has BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont and MS in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University.

	Vice President Tom Davis Yuma County Water Users Association Yuma, AZ
Tom W. Davis joined the Yuma County Water Users' Association as manager in January 2007. Prior to joining YCWUA, Tom was manager of the Carlsbad Irrigation District, Carlsbad , NM . He was also employed for fifteen years by the USDA-Forest Service. Tom is a graduate of Oklahoma State University . Member of: National Water Resources Association Family Farm Alliance


	Secretary James Sweeney Maricopa Water District Surprise, AZ
James R. Sweeney joined Maricopa Water District (MWD) as its General Manager in April 1997, and has worked in the irrigation and electrical utility field for over 36 years. Since 1997, Mr. Sweeney implemented Maricopa Water District’s first in-lieu recharge program and has developed a policy and procedure to wheel non-district surface water to private water companies and municipalities in the West Salt River Valley. He currently is responsible for development of MWD’s recreational enterprises at Lake Pleasant as well as entitlement of Zanjero Trails, a proposed 2,500 acre master planned community located on MWD owned property which is being developed to assure continuation of economical water and power rates for MWD landowners in the future. Mr. Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from ASU and is married to Sheryl A. Sweeney. Other Professional Activities Board of Directors, Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association Co-Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee to the Governor’s Water Management Commission Chairman, Governor’s Livestock and Agriculture Advisory Committee

	Treasurer Dr. George Seperich Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus Mesa, AZ
Dr. George Seperich’s holds the position of Professor at the Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus. His academic interests include identifying necessary conditions for agribusiness economic development at the state level, corporate strategy and the development of management, and marketing agribusiness case studies as teaching tools. Dr. Seperich received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Michigan State University. He has co-authored a book, Introduction to Agribusiness Marketing, edited Case Studies in Agribusiness Management with several authors, and authored Food Science and Technology.

	Wade Accomazzo Accomazzo Company Tolleson, AZ


	Stan Ashby Roosevelt Irrigation District Buckeye, AZ
Stan Ashby graduated from Arizona State University in 1969. Upon graduation Stan took over the family farm in the Litchfield area. Stan and Judy were married in 1974 and have two children, Molly and Chuck. In 1986, Stan became Superintendent of Roosevelt Irrigation District in Buckeye. Stan has been a member of the Arizona Agribusiness Council and IEDA since 1986. The Ashby’s moved to Pebble Creek in Goodyear in 2006, a first after fifty-nine years on the family farm.

	Kenneth Baughman Wellton-Mohawk IDD Wellton, AZ
Ken is a lifelong resident of the Wellton-Mohawk area and been employed at Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District since January 1991 serving in various capacities. The Assistant Manager of Operations since March 2007, Ken is also responsible for SCADA, automation and Information Technology at the District.

	Dr. Shane C. Burgess University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
Dr. Shane C. Burgess became dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona in July 2011. After qualifying as a veterinarian at Massey University, New Zealand in 1989, he worked in and managed veterinary clinical practices in Australia, Africa, and the UK as well as holding a management position in the aquaculture industry in Scotland for two years. From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Burgess was employed by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council at the Institute for Animal Health. He was awarded the Institute for Animal Health Director’s Award for service during the UK Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic of 2001. Dr. Burgess joined the faculty at Mississippi State University in 2002, where he served as director of the Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology and worked with a team to develop AgBase, a database of functional gene annotations for agricultural animals and plants. His primary research areas are high-throughput genomic biology (including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and computational biology). His funded research has included cancer biology, immunology, virology, bacteriology, toxicology, bioenergy, and agricultural plant and animal genomics. As dean at the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dr. Burgess is responsible for the college’s academic programs, Arizona Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station with over 3100 students and 1600 employees. Dr. Burgess holds a Ph.D. in bio-medicine from Bristol University, UK and is married to Dr. Jennifer Burgess. Other Professional Activities Bioinformatics Committee Member, USDA NRSP9: National Animal Genome Research Program Co-Chair, Working Group on Animal Biotechnology within the US-EC Task Force on Biotechnology Member, Food Systems Leadership Institute Executive Committee Project Steering Team, University and Industry Consortium


	Cliff Cauthen Outside the Box Utility Consulting, LLC Phoenix, AZ
Clifford Cauthen brings 30 years of utility-related experience in the electric industry - generation, acquisition and delivery; natural gas acquisition and delivery, as well as in both the potable and irrigation water delivery industries. Cliff graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors of Accountancy. Member of: National Water Resources Association Colorado River Water Users Association

	Tommy Caywood West Pinal NRCD Casa Grande, AZ


	Michael Curtis Attorney Phoenix, AZ
Michael A. Curtis was a charter member of the Agri-Business Council of Arizona, Inc. and has been a continued supporter financially, through his office, and served as Secretary for several years. Mr. Curtis is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Arizona District Court, the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona and the Northern District Federal Court of California. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Curtis began working with Arizona consumer-owned power entities. Since 1972 he has been Executive Secretary of the Arizona Municipal Power User’s Association and has served at one time as a legislative consultant on electrical power matters to the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association. In 1993, Mr. Curtis received the American Public Power Association’s Kramer-Johnson Award in recognition of outstanding service. Other Professional Activities Special Counsel, Wickenburg; Thatcher; Cortaro-Marana Irrigation District; Silver Bell Irrigation & Drainage District Founder, Curtis, Goodwin, Sullivan, Udall & Schwab, P.L.C. Member, State Bar of Arizona; Maricopa County Bar Association; American Bar Association Member, Utility; Natural Resources; Litigation Sections of the America Bar Association


	Ed Gerak Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District Buckeye, Arizona
Ed Gerak joined the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District in early 2007, and took over as General Manager at the end of that year. Prior to this, he spent 10 years in the building materials industry, mostly in precast and drycast concrete. His jobs included time as an assistant plant engineer, sales engineer, regional and national safety director and finally General Manager of a paver plant in Stockton, CA. After the birth of twins, he relocated back to Buckeye, AZ to be close to family. Ed received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from ASU West. He also is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in Arizona. Other Professional Activities Include: WESTMARC, Board Member Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association, Board Member CREDA, Board Member (Colorado River Energy Distributors Association) Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Leadership West, Board Member


	Elston Grubaugh Wellton-Mohawk IDD Wellton, AZ
Elston Grubaugh joined the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District in July, 2008 and assumed the duties of General Manager on January 1, 2009. A native of New Mexico, Elston has worked in the water and power areas for over 28 years, holding positions in Texas, New Mexico, California and Arizona. Elston holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Master’s Degree from Texas A&M University. Other Professional Activities Include: Chair; Gila Gravity Main Canal Administrative Board President; Arizona Municipal Power Users’ Association Vice President; Irrigation & Electrical Districts Association of Arizona Member; Yuma County Flood Control Advisory Board Member, USIBWC Colorado River Citizen’s Forum Board Member, Tri-Valley Ambulance Board of Directors


	James K. Henness Henness Farms Casa Grande, AZ


	Robert E. Hurley Hurley Land Company Phoenix, AZ


	DeWayne Justice McMicken Irrigation District Waddell, AZ



	Joel Lorenzen Farm Credit Services Southwest Tempe, AZ
Joel Lorenzen grew up in Oregon where his parents owned a part time farm. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in business administration he worked in the grain business. At 25 he became a general manager of a grain and farm supply company in Washington State. In 1980 he began work in the Farm Credit System as a loan officer in Spokane, Washington. After serving in various management capacities he moved to Arizona in 1998 to become Chief Credit Officer of Farm Credit Services Southwest. He has since added to his roll as both Chief Credit Officer and Chief Operations Officer. Farm Credit Services Southwest manages assets in excess of $1 Billion in Arizona and Southern California. Joel is also active in other community and professional organizations and is an occasional guest lecturer at Arizona State University Morrison School of Management. He is a life long swimmer and occasionally competes in Masters Swimming. He is married to Debra and they have a daughter who lives with her husband in San Diego.

	Douglas Mason San Carlos, I&DD Coolidge, AZ
Douglas Mason has been the General Manager for the San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage District since 1988. His first job was working for the Bureau of Reclamation in Bismarck, North Dakota and he continued working for the Bureau for the next 19 years in five different Project offices with increasing job responsibilities. His last assignment with the Bureau was at the Willows Project office as the Chief of Operation and Maintenance. Mason has been an Arizona resident on and off since 1959 when his father transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Project office. He attended both Glendale High School and Phoenix Junior College and graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1969.

	Jackie Meck Mayor, Town of Buckeye Buckeye, AZ
He recently served as vice-president of the Agri-Business Council of Arizona for 2 years and he is currently the Mayor for the Town of Buckeye. He is a native of Buckeye, Arizona. He and his wife, Verlyne, have three children and four grandchildren. Other Professional Activities: Maricopa Association of Governments Transportation Policy Committee Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council Maricopa Association of Government Economic Development Committee West Valley Luke Mayors/Managers West Valley Mayors West Valley Hospital Board of Directors Mesquite Power Advisory Board Deacon First Southern Baptist Church

	Donovan Neese Roosevelt Irrigation District Buckeye, Arizona
Donovan is currently the superintendent of the Roosevelt Irrigation District. He was appointed to this position in 2011. He is a registered professional engineer and worked as a design and construction engineer in agriculture for ten years prior to coming to the District. Donovan also has a Masters of Business Administration. He is a member of: American Society of Civil Engineers (since 1997) Agri-Business Council of Arizona (since 2011) Westside Area Managers (since 2011) Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association (since 2011)


	Wade Noble Attorney Yuma, AZ
Wade and his wife Kathy are the parents of five children. He is a fifth-generation native Arizonan, born in Safford and growing up in Wilcox. After a family move to Tempe, he graduated from Tempe High School. His Bachelor’s Degree is from the University of Arizona (1973) and his Juris Doctor Degree from St. Mary’s University of San Antonio (1977). Wade has been in private practice in Yuma since 1978. He was a member of the Westover Law Firm until its dissolution in 1996. In that year, he formed the Noble Law Offices. Primary clients include: Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, Yuma Irrigation District, North Gila Valley Irrigation and Drainage District, Hohokam Irrigation District and Unit B Irrigation and Drainage District. Professional Activities: National Water Resources Association (NWRA) - Treasurer 2007-2008; Vice President 2009-2010; President 2011-2012; Board of Directors - Member; Water and Property Rights Task Force - Co-Chairman; Policy Development Committee formerly Resolutions Committee - Member Colorado River Water Users’ Association (CRWUA) - Resolutions Committee - Vice Chairman Governor's Statewide Water Advisory Group (SWAG) - Member Governor's Colorado River Advisory Council (CRAC) - Member Governor's Clean Colorado River Alliance - Member Multi-Species Conservation Program Steering Committee - Yuma Area Voting Representative Agri-Business Council of Arizona - Executive Committee Member Family Farm Alliance - Advisory Committee Member International Boundary and Water Commission Colorado River Citizen's Forum - Member Yuma Area Water Resource Management Group (YAWRMG) - Representative Imperial Dam Advisory Board - Alternate Member Gila Gravity Main Canal Administrative Board - Representative State Bar of Arizona - Continuing Legal Education Committee-former member; Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee-member- Chairman 2006-20__

	Scott Riggins Riggins Farms, Ltd. Coolidge, AZ


	John Sullivan Associate General Manager Resource Management Salt River Project Phoenix, AZ
On July 11, 2011, John Sullivan was named Associate General Manager for Resource Management of the Salt River Project. His areas of responsibility include Energy Management, Water Resource Management, Environmental Management and Strategic Planning. Prior to this John served for 17 years as Salt River Project’s Associate General Manager for the Water Group. Since joining SRP in 1971, Sullivan has served as Manager of Strategic Planning, Manager of Water Customer Service and Resource Planning, Manager of Power Contracts, Manager of Electric System Planning, and Manager of Special Projects. Sullivan, who received his baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona, is a past President of the Water for the West Foundation and the National Water Resources Association and is currently serving on the boards of both organizations. Sullivan is also on the Board of Directors of the Colorado River Water Users’ Association and the Arizona Town Hall. He is a former board member of the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Colorado River Energy Distributors Association, Tempe United Way and the Desert Botanical Garden. He is a native Arizonan and a resident of Chandler. Sullivan and his wife, Pat, have three children: Melissa, Brian and Rebekah. SRP, based in Tempe, Arizona, is one of the largest public water and electric utilities.


	Reid Teeples Consulting Engineer Phoenix, AZ
Reid Teeples is a Self Employed Consulting Engineer and was a charter member of the Executive Committee Board of the Agri-Business Council of Arizona, Inc. He retired from the Salt River Project as Associate General Manager – Water. His tenure with SRP was 39 years. Other Professional Activities Registered Professional Engineer in Arizona Former Member, Colorado River Water Users’ Assocation Former Board Member, Citizens Advisory Committee of the Maricopa County Flood Control District Former Arizona Representative on Board of Directors, National Water Resources Association

	Grant Ward Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District Maricopa, AZ
Since 2008 Mr Ward has served as a consultant primarily to Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation District and Electrical District No. 3, as well as other irrigation districts and electrical districts before the legislature of Arizona. Mr. Ward joined Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District and Electrical District No. 3 as General Manager in July 1995. In 1997 he was asked to also form and serve as the General Manager of a new organization called the Santa Cruz Water and Power Districts Association, which was for the purpose of bringing together the two districts he represented, (87,000 acres of irrigated farmland, and 130,000 acres serving electricity to approximately 40,000 customers consisting of irrigation, commercial, and residential customers), with two additional districts, the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, serving water to 87,000 acres of farmland and Electrical District no.4, serving electricity to irrigation, commercial, and residential customers in a 48,000 acre area. He was previously with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District where he served as Assistant General Manager, responsible for planning and environmental compliance. Prior to that position, he was the Executive Director for the Agri-Business Council of Arizona where he represented the Agricultural community, including irrigation districts, before the Arizona Legislature and State Regulatory Agencies, particularly on water issues. Previously, Mr. Ward was the General Manager of the Roosevelt Water Conservation for nine years. During his service in these districts, etc., he has also spent considerable time before state and federal agencies and legislative bodies on behalf of his districts. Mr. Ward is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He is married to Judy and they have seven children.