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Image by Dan Meyers

Board Members & Staff

Board of Directors

Walter Hardesty

President

Walt manages his family's cattle ranch, WH Beef, in Elk Grove.

Jerry Spencer

Executive Member

Jerry works for Van Vleck Ranching and Resources Inc. out of Rancho Murieta. 

Ken Oneto

Director

Ken farms along the Cosumnes River in South Sacramento County under KLM Ranches. He grows cherries, artichokes, alfalfa hay, wine grapes, tomatoes, field corn, fresh market tomatoes, and dry beans.

Russell vanLobenSels

Director

Russell is a pear, wine grape, and row crop farmer in Courtland, Russell is very involved with current issues surrounding the Sacramento Delta.

Louie Brown

Director

Louie from Elk Grove is an agriculture attorney with Kahn, Soares & Conway.

Ken Mitchell

1st Vice President

Ken is a fifth generation farmer in Elk Grove. He currently raises squabs and farms walnuts.

Matt Frank

Director

Matt from Roseville is currently the Senior Director of Vineyard Operations at Trinchero Family Estates.  

Michael Neuharth

Director

Michael manages his family's diversified crop farm in Courtland. He also does custom harvesting in the Delta.

Kiki Gomes

Director

Retired

Adriana Toste

YF&R Representative

Adriana Toste is the current Chair of Sac YF&R.

Pat Kirby

Secretary/Treasurer

Pat currently works for A.L. Gilbert and is from Wilton.

Mike Wackman

Director

Mike is a fifth generation farmer in Elk Grove. He is the owner and winemaker at McConnell Estates Winery. Mike also serves on the Ag Foundation Board.

Mike Tudesko

Director

Mike runs beef cattle in Sloughhouse.

Don Hutchison

Director

Don is a construction supervisor for Amador Water Agency.

Office Staff

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Virginia Hemly Chhabra

Executive Director

Virginia started as a member of the SCFB Board of Directors in 2008. She has worked at SCFB since September 2026.

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Paul Carras

Member Services

Paul is a lifelong area resident with decades of experience in the food retail sector and a passion for the outdoors.

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