CWGA is a member-led organization that relies on the volunteer leadership of a board of directors and committees to implement the objectives, policies, and programs of the Association.
Meet the CWGA Officers
The CWGA leadership team is elected by the CWGA membership and re-slated each year at the annual CWGA Convention. The Officer Team is made up of individuals throughout the state of California who have expertise in the sheep industry.
These producers represent California sheep producers at a variety of meetings and a dedicate a great deal of time working to ensure a more favorable business climate for CWGA members and California sheep producers.
| President — Phil Esnoz, Shafter |
| Vice President — Cole Bakke, Visalia |
| Treasurer — Mark Blakeman – Bangor |
Board of Directors
Board members represent their constituencies and set policy for CWGA.
| Greg Ahart – Sacramento | Freddie Iturriria – Oildale |
| Jon Amparan – Los Banos | Lesanne Jacobsen – Le Grand |
| Ed Anchordoguy – Sebastopol | Dan Macon – Auburn |
| Cole Bakke, Visalia | Lloyd McCabe – Dixon |
| Mark Blakeman – Bangor | Joanne Nissen – Soledad |
| Rosie Busch, DVM – Woodland | John Olagaray – Lodi |
| Florence Cubiburu – Stockton | Michael Olagaray – Lodi |
| John Cubiburu – Danville | Wes Patton – Orland |
| Morgan Doran – Woodland | Celina Phillips – Chico |
| Nancy East – Alturas | Joe Pozzi – Valley Ford |
| Stephen Elgorriaga – Madera | Elizabeth Reynolds – San Luis Obispo |
| Phillip Esnoz – Shafter | Andrée Soares – Los Banos |
| John Etchamendy – Wasco | Blair Summey – Lincoln |
| Richard Hamilton – Rio Vista | Beth Swanson – Tracy |
| Ryan Indart – Clovis | Melissa VanLaningham, DVM – Arbuckle |
| Frank Iturriria – Bakersfield | Pete Yriarte – Los Banos |
Committees
Finance/Budget Committee
The Treasurer/Secretary of CWGA is the Chairperson of the Finance/Budget Committee. The Finance/Budget Committee oversees the budget process, annual financial planning, recommends any adjustments needed during the year to ensure the appropriate year-end financial position is attained, and works closely with the Member Services Committee to focus on future year’s financial plans.
Chair: Mark Blakeman (Treasurer)
Members: John Cubiburu, Phil Esnoz, Richard Hamilton, Joe Pozzi, Susan Taylor
Legislative/Government Affairs Committee
This Committee oversees the organizational structure and relationships CWGA uses to accomplish its lobbying activities. These include developing and maintaining the grass roots structure for involvement at the local level, developing and maintaining appropriate alliances and liaisons with other organizations to form effective lobbying partnerships when needed, monitoring and analyzing state and national issues to keep members informed, and working with the officers and leadership to develop the most effective strategies for dealing with issues that affect the membership.
Chair: Florence Cubiburu
Members: Ryan Indart
Member Services Committee
The Member Services Committee ordinates all aspects of fundraising, including internal revenue generation from membership and attendees at sponsored functions, external revenue generation from outside sources (including product sales), reviews existing revenue generation strategies for effectiveness, and works with the Treasurer and Finance/Budget Committee to amend and develop new and enhanced funding approaches. This committee also includes the Scholarship Committee.
Chair: Lloyd McCabe
Members: Cole Bakke, Ryan Estes, Lesanne Jacobsen, Allen Pettey, Jim Yeager
Production, Education, & Research Committee (PERC)
The Chairperson of the Production, Education and Research Committee (PERC) assists the Executive Director with convention and workshop planning and delivery; and developing/coordinating activities relating to animal health, product promotion, producer and consumer education, and research that would benefit California sheep and goat producers.
Chairs: Morgan Doran & Rosie Busch DVM
Members: Jenya Anderson, DVM, Nancy East, DVM, Richard Hamilton, John Harper, Robert Irwin, Allen Petty, Celina Phillips, Melissa VanLaningham, DVM
Ram Sale Committee
The Ram Sale Committee oversees the organizing and planning Ram Sale logistics, developing and reviewing consignor rules, reviewing entries and making the final allotments, appointing a Quality Sifting Committee and Health Sifting Committee during the Ram Sale, and assisting the Executive Director in the management and planning of the sale.
Chairs: Wes Patton & John Olagaray
Members: Cole Bakke, Florence Cubiburu, Morgan Doran, Nancy East, DVM, Phil Esnoz, Joe Mattos, Lloyd McCabe, Jim Neumiller, Joanne Nissen, John Phillips (Idaho), Joel Shepherd (Utah), Blair Summey
Trust Fund Committee
The Trust Fund Committee exercises control and management over the Reserve Funds. The committee is responsible for investing, managing and protecting the Reserve Funds to the best interests for CWGA.
Chair: Cole Bakke (Vice President)
Members: Richard Hamilton, Lloyd McCabe, Joanne Nissen, Wes Patton, Andrée Soares
California Guard Dog Fund Committee
The specific purpose of the California Guard Dog Fund is to support and engage in legal activities related to sheep, livestock, and agriculture in California. The California Guard Dog Fund Committee shall exercise control and management over the California Guard Dog Fund. The committee shall invest, manage and protect the same to the best interests of the Association. The California Guard Dog Fund Committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the Board but shall not have the authority of the Board or any final decision-making authority.
Chair: Cole Bakke (Vice President)
Members: Florence Cubiburu, Phillip Esnoz, John Etchamendy, Ryan Indart, Andrée Soares
Targeted Grazing Committee
Chair: Mark Gutierrez
Members: Dr. Rosie Busch, DVM, Cole Bush, Cori Carlson, Marie Hoff, Ryan Indart, Roger Ingram, Beth Reynolds, Rob Rutherford, Fauna Smith, Bianca Soares
