Campus water initiatives executive director Zoldoske honored at retirement event

(December 13, 2017) -- Faculty, staff, friends and industry supporters of Fresno State’s water research programs honored Dr. David Zoldoske, executive director of campus water initiatives, at a retirement celebration Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Smittcamp Alumni House.

Zoldoske, a university employee for 37 years, was elevated to his current post in February 2016 and will continue to oversee the University’s water-related research, industry and community partnerships through the end of December.

Since 1994, Zoldoske has also served as the director of the Center for Irrigation Technology, an independent campus testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource. Also under his direction are the International Center for Water Technology and the California Water Institute.

His leadership has helped Fresno State connect with an array of emerging and established companies that have made Central Valley a national leader for technologies that more efficiently use natural resources.

His expertise has also been utilized by the California State University Water Resources and Policy Initiatives (WRPI) as its executive director (2008-13) and associate director (2013-present).

An author of over 90 irrigation-related articles, he is a Fresno State agricultural economics graduate. He began his irrigation career on campus as a student research assistant before being hired as a full-time research technician in 1983.

Zoldoske was named “person of the year” by the California Irrigation Institute (2015) and by the Irrigation Association (2013). He is a senior fellow with the California Council on Science and Technology, water policy research expert for the Public Policy Institute of California, and an honorary member of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants.

He also has served as president of the Irrigation Association (2005) and American Society of Agronomy California Chapter (2002).

He also supplied valuable public planning guidance as a vice chair of the California Department of Water Resources strategic planning caucus for new water technology, a member of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Nitrogen Tracking and Reporting Task Force, and co-chair of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance committee established by AB2717.

A search for a new CIT irrigation director has begun with applications being accepted through January 15, 2018.

Sarge Green, a campus water management specialist for the California Water Institute, will serve as an interim director during the search process.