Agribusiness Management Conference

8:00 a.m. - Registration and Check in with continental breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - Introductions / Welcome

8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Morning Keynote Speaker

9:30 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. - Break

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - Panel #1 - Opportunities and Innovation as we Navigate the Future

10:45 a.m - 11:00 a.m. - Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Panel #2  -  Managing Trade Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Luncheon and Keynote Speaker 

Brad Rubin is a Vice President and Sector Manager within Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.  Brad specifically focuses on Fruit, Vegetables, Coffee, and other Specialty Crops. Brad joined Wells Fargo in January 2018, and formerly worked as an Advisor and Chief Marketing Officer for iDTech. Prior, he held executive roles with other technology companies.

Brad's initial career was heavily focused in the digital and ecommerce sector where he worked for 20 years.  Since coming to Wells Fargo, he has focused on Agriculture companies and risk assessment within the Agribusiness and Food industry vertical.

Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Brad lives with his wife and two kids in Templeton, CA where he spends his free time coaching sports. He is the Boys Varsity Soccer coach at Templeton High School.  Brad offices in Templeton, California where his geographic area of coverage extends to all regions of North America.

Panelists:

Seana Day is the CEO and Chairwoman of Dave Wilson Nursery, one of the largest fruit and nut tree nurseries in the United States. She is leading a generational transformation focused on leadership, operational restructuring, and long-term strategy to strengthen the company’s role in the specialty crop supply chain. Seana is also the Co-Founder and Partner of Culterra Capital, an AgTech and Food Tech investment and advisory firm, where she focuses on investment, M&A advisory, and innovation strategy.

Seana has over 25 years of experience, advising growth companies and institutional investors on more than $800 million in capital raises and M&A transactions. She worked internationally with AGC Partners in London and in the U.S. with Ridgecrest Capital Partners and Capstone Headwaters Partners. A native of Stanislaus County, she now resides in her hometown of Turlock, California.

Brian Bassett began his agricultural career on the family farm while pursuing a BS in plant science before moving into an independent research analyst role for U.C. California, Merk, Syngenta, Novartis, Melroe Ingersoll Rand, Monsanto and Helena Chemical with a focus on pest and disease efficacy, sensor tech integration, data modeling, efficiency and sustainability.  As a certified crop advisor and lead agronomist at FarmitRx.  FarmitRx provides growers with a map based SAAS (IM Scheduler) focused on irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease management recommendations developed by agronomist for agronomists.

Gabriel Youtsey is the Chief Innovation Officer at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is also the UC-ANR Site Lead and Co-Lead of Workforce, Industrial, and Societal Engagement for AIFS. He is a business and technology leader that focuses on transformative innovation at the intersection of food, agriculture, environmental sustainability and technology under the UC-ANR.

Moderator: Eric Hadden serves as the Executive Director of the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center at California State University, Fresno. As the Central Valley’s longest-operating business accelerator and incubator, the WET Center supports innovators and entrepreneurs advancing solutions in AgTech, clean energy, food, and water technology.

Under his leadership, the WET Center has engaged with more than 500 founders and helped accelerate over 86 companies that have collectively raised more than $400 million in follow-on funding.

Before joining the WET Center, Mr. Hadden worked in the water technology industry, holding roles in business development, sales, and marketing. A lifelong champion of entrepreneurship and innovation, he brings both practical experience and academic insight to his work.

Panelists: 

Denise Bode specializes in advising and counseling on tax, trade, energy, environment, food, and agriculture policies. Her expertise includes coalition management, as well as the development and execution of public policy strategies at both state and federal levels.Denise brings over four decades of experience crafting, implementing, and advocating for policy and regulatory proposals at every level of government. Her long lasting relationships to policymakers and decision-makers make her a trusted expert to the Members of Congress and C-Suite executives to provide her counsel and guidance on any number of issues. She has testified before Congress and has extensive public speaking experience including appearances on network and cable television. 

Suzanne Devereaux-McKinstrie brings more than 15 years of marketing experience and a deep commitment to agriculture in her role as International Director of Marketing for American Pistachio Growers (APG), a non-profit organization representing growers and processors across the western United States. She oversees APG’s international marketing program, with a focus on Asia and Europe, managing complex trade and promotional initiatives that connect American pistachio growers to global consumers. Her work includes navigating trade challenges, fostering collaboration with in-country partners, and developing data-driven strategies that strengthen demand for U.S. pistachios in key export markets. Suzanne works closely with USDA and industry partners to ensure program compliance and to identify opportunities that sustain long-term market growth amid global uncertainty.

Before joining APG, Suzanne served as Director of Marketing for Harris Farms, Inc., and earlier led marketing efforts for Harris Ranch Beef Company, promoting California-grown products across retail, foodservice, and export sectors. Rooted in generations of family farmers and cattle ranchers, Suzanne’s agricultural background continues to inspire her purpose-driven leadership. A lifelong learner, she studied Organizational Leadership at Fresno Pacific University and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ag One Foundation, benefiting the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State.

Patrick Firth is an advocate for issues including agriculture, energy, food, tax, and trade. He has played a key role in achieving tax incentives, tariff exclusions, and was a key leader in a $43 million cooperative agreement between the U.S. and a client. Firth often presents to his clients and conferences on policy updates, political/election analysis, and general industry trends from a federal perspective. Beyond his federal work, he is also active in Maryland politics, where he became the Talbot County Democratic Party chair, overseeing its first Democratic presidential victory since 1964. His leadership contributed to continued political success in the county and is currently serving as Chief of Staff to the President for Young Democrats of Maryland, driving youth engagement and policy initiatives. 

Nick Kastle is the Vice President of Marketing at J. G. Boswell Company with extensive experience in the food and agriculture sector. He has a proven track record in leading sales and marketing initiatives, particularly in the areas of cotton, tomato, and edible oils. With a strong emphasis on strategic planning and business development, Nick excels in negotiation and cross-functional team leadership. He holds an MBA from Saint Mary's College of California and has worked with some of the most reputable organizations in the industry. His career trajectory reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in marketing strategies. Nick's brings diverse experience from various roles, from procurement to senior leadership, showcasing his adaptability and comprehensive understanding of the agribusiness landscape.

Moderator:  Trudi Hughes is the CEO/President of the California League of Food Producers (CLFP).   CLFP is a statewide non-profit trade association that represents food processors with production facilities in California.  The membership includes firms involved with canning, freezing, and dehydrating/drying a wide array of fruit and vegetable products as well as nut processors, cheese manufactures and olive oil producers.

Trudi has over 30 years of experience in public affairs, government relations and legislative advocacy.  She was the Director of Government Affairs for CLFP for 12 years before becoming the new CEO/President in 2022. Prior to joining CLFP in 2010, Trudi was the Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart’s interests in California.  She was also a Legislative Advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce and worked for almost 10 years as legislative and committee staff at the State Capitol.   

She has a B.S. in Agriculture Business Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an MBA from the University of California, Davis.

Steve Loftus is the CEO and President of Sun-Maid Growers of California, a farmer-owned cooperative based in the Central Valley and the company behind the iconic Sun-Maid brand. As one of the world’s largest processors of
raisins and dried fruit, Sun-Maid also owns Plum Organics PBC, a leading brand of organic baby food and toddler snacks.
A results-driven leader with more than 15 years in consumer-packaged goods, Steve has a proven track record of aligning cross-functional teams to deliver growth, operational efficiency, and long-term value. Before Sun-Maid, he held leadership roles at Tree House Foods and Kraft Foods.
Steve earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A native of Chicago, Steve relocated to Fresno with his family in 2022.