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Conference Speakers
Dr. Daniel Klittich is the Director of Agronomy at Mission Produce, a global leader in avocados and mangos, where his work focuses on improving field productivity and farm profitability. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in Entomology, specializing in integrated pest management (IPM) and silicon nutrition. Dr. Klittich brings broad experience across agricultural research, ag retail, fertility, horticulture, and commercial farming. He serves on the California Avocado Commission Board in a Handler seat, chairs the Production Research Committee, and with his wife farms 44 acres of avocados and citrus in Fillmore, California, while raising their three children.
Daniel Klittich, PhD
From a Dream to a Necessity; Practical Technology Advances on the Farm
Director of Agronomy
Mission Produce
Winston Wright serves as the Chief Operating Officer at AgroSystems Solutions, where he leads tactical initiatives focused on integrating smart automation within commercial farming frameworks. With a rich background spanning over two decades in agricultural engineering, Winston has pioneered systems that optimize resource allocation while minimizing waste. His dedication to sustainable scaling has made him a sought-after voice for international trade forums. Before joining AgroSystems, he directed infrastructure projects across the Midwest, specializing in irrigation sensors and autonomous machinery. Wright is an alumnus of Iowa State University and holds several patents in precision agriculture technology. When he is not at the fair, he manages a family-owned sustainable soy farm and consults for regional agricultural cooperatives on technology adoption strategies.
Winston Wright
Modernizing Field Operations: The Role of Automation in Large-Scale Production and Resource Efficiency Mastery
Chief Operations Officer
AgroSystems Solutions Inc.
Peter Henry
Tracing the origin, spread and future management of strawberry Fusarium wilt race 2
Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology
University of California, Davis
Peter Henry is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis with more than 15 years of experience on the epidemiology, evolution, and management of fungal pathogens of berry crops. His research program discovered Fusarium wilt race 2 in Oxnard and led the statewide management response.
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Hamutahl Cohen, PhD – Characterizing Pesticide Efficacy for Avocado Lace Bug and Avocado Thrips
Entomology Advisor, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources
Hamutahl Cohen works with UC ANR as an Entomology Advisor. She is responsible for developing research and extension programs around key pests in Ventura County. She works in both natural and agricultural systems on a myriad of pest issues, including studying the biology of novel pests, monitoring pesticide resistance, and evaluating biological and cultural control methods.
Dr. Fatemeh Khodadadi is an Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension and Plant Pathology in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside. Their research and extension program focuses on diagnosing, managing, and developing sustainable control strategies for subtropical crop diseases affecting California avocado and citrus production, including fungal, viral, viroid, and bacterial pathogens. A key initiative of their laboratory is advancing fast and precise diagnostic tools, including avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVD) testing services and novel surveillance techniques to directly support growers, nurseries, and the agricultural industry.
Dr. Fatemeh Khodadadi – Avocado Pathology Update: Integrated Management for Avocado Branch Canker and Novel Detection Strategies for Avocado Sunblotch
Assistant Professor of Extension and Plant Pathologist, University of California, Riverside
Jodi Switzer is the Water Program Director for the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, where she manages the Ventura County Agricultural Irrigated Lands Group (VCAILG), a grower coalition that helps agricultural producers comply with water quality regulations while supporting Ventura County growers. With more than 15 years of experience in environmental and water resource regulatory compliance, Jodi oversees all aspects of the VCAILG program, including water quality monitoring, grower outreach and education, data management and reporting, and coordination with the Los Angeles Regional Quality Control Board to implement the requirements of the region’s Ag Order. She also represents agriculture in the development and implementation of water quality regulatory policy. Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, she served as Environmental Compliance Manager at her alma mater, the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she managed campus-wide air and water regulatory programs. She began her career as an environmental consultant serving both public and private sector clients.
Jodi Switzer – Understanding TMDL Requirements: Current Status, Newly Triggered Areas, and What's Next
Water Program Director, Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Born and raised in Ventura County, Detective Mitchell Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge. He has served with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 14 years, beginning his career in the Detention Services Division before transferring to Patrol Services in 2016. He later transitioned into investigative work, serving as a detective at the Camarillo Police Station before joining the Major Crimes Bureau within the Special Services Division. Throughout his career, he has served in patrol, as a Field Training Officer, a Senior Deputy and supervisor at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, and as a detective at the Camarillo Police Station and within the Major Crimes Bureau’s Sexual Assault Unit. He currently serves as a homicide investigator and Agricultural Crimes Detective with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Mitchell Peterson – Agricultural Crimes in Ventura County
Senior Deputy Detective, Major Crimes Bureau
Winston Wright is a Planning Manager with the County of Ventura, with over 25 years of coastal Southern California planning experience. He currently manages the Ordinance and Implementation section, where he leads efforts to implement the Board of Supervisors’ Planning and Zoning Regulation Reform Program. Winston previously led Permit Administration and oversaw major overhauls of Ventura County’s Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances. Notably, he participated in developing unified permit pathways after the Thomas, Woolsey, Hill, and Mountain Fires, serving as the initial contact for impacted property owners rebuilding. Winston is bilingual in Spanish and holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from UC Berkeley.
Winston Wright – County of Ventura Policy and Permitting Reform
Planning Manager, County of Ventura
Estelle Bussa serves as Deputy Executive Officer for Economic Vitality and Service Excellence for the County of Ventura, where she leads initiatives focused on economic development, government innovation, and service improvement. Her work includes advancing the County’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan, permit reform, workforce development, and The HIVE, an advanced mobility and innovation initiative connecting industry, education, workforce, and government. Estelle also serves as Chair of the City of Ventura Planning Commission and is passionate about building strong partnerships and creating lasting impact in her community.
Estelle Bussa – County of Ventura Policy and Permitting Reform
Deputy Executive Officer, County of Ventura
Jamie Whiteford brings over two decades of experience in environmental science, agricultural best practices, and project management. Jamie holds a PhD in Soil and Water Sciences from the University of California, Riverside, an MSc in Oceanography and a BSc in Biochemistry from Old Dominion University. Before stepping into the role of Executive Director, Jamie served as the Director of Projects and Grants at VCRCD, where he led his team on over 100 conservation and restoration initiatives, collaborating with landowners, regulatory bodies, and agricultural leaders. Jamie’s career is marked by a commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through successful management of grant-funded projects focused on irrigation efficiency, carbon sequestration, and habitat restoration. His prior experience includes faculty positions in environmental and agricultural sciences at various colleges, where he was recognized for excellence in teaching and research. Jamie has published several works on environmental science and continues to be an active contributor to the field through presentations and advisory roles.
Jamie Whiteford – Water Quality Solutions in Action: From On-Farm Practices to Regional Projects
Executive Director, Ventura County Resource Conservation District