Don Parreira, co-owner of Ultra Gro Plant Food in Madera, began his one-year term on July 1 as the new president of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State.
Parreira, of Fresno, previously served as vice president for Ag One — a development organization for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State — and has also served as treasurer and secretary on its board of directors.
A co-owner of Ultra Gro Plant Food since 2008, he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fresno State in 1980. He has worked in accounting his entire career and has worked for respected agricultural leader Jess Telles of TRI Enterprises, a large Valley farming operation, and the late Ed Baloian and his son, Tim Baloian, of Baloian Packing in Fresno. Parreira also served on non-profit boards for Alpha Gamma Rho alumni, Bullard High School Boosters and other youth organizations.
Born and raised in Los Banos, Parreira follows the lead of his father-in-law, Gerald Forrest, who served as the Ag One president in 1987.
“It is an honor to serve as president of Ag One, which is one of the University’s and community’s most respected organizations,” Parreira said. “I was introduced to Ag One as a college student when I worked at its annual ag boosters BBQ, so it means a lot to see the impact that the organization’s hard work has had on Fresno State agriculture students through the years. I’m looking forward to working with [Jordan College] Dean Sandra Witte, the Ag One staff and our board of directors and members to accomplish equally great things this year.”
Parreira replaced John Migliazzo of Fresno, an attorney for the Michael J.F. Smith law office, who ended his one-year term as president on June 30.
Ken Ramos, Wells Fargo’s president for Central California business banking, was elected vice president. He graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
Bill Purewal, owner of PureFresh Sales produce marketing, was elected treasurer. The Selma native graduated from Fresno State in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
Annie Stuhr joined the executive committee as secretary. She is a senior loan analyst with Fresno Madera Farm Credit and graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
Other new members on the 23-person board include Brandon Chamberlain, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch (Fresno State/San Jose State 2002); Scott Foth, Simplot (Fresno State 1977); Stanley Kjar Jr., Pearson Realty (Fresno State 1999); Ronald Samuel, Ameriprise Financial Services (Fresno State 1976) and Mai Zoua Vang, Valley Small Business Development Corp (Fresno State 2009).
A complete list of board members is available at www.fresnostate.edu/jcast/agonefoundation/board-of-directors.html.
Since 1979, the Ag One Foundation has endowed more than $19.5 million in funds to benefit, promote and support the Jordan College, with 3,700 students receiving more than $2.7 million in scholarships and grants. Jordan College academic programs and students will receive about $600,000 in support in the 2017-18 academic year.
For more information on the Ag One Foundation, upcoming events or to become a member, visit www.agonefoundation.org or call 559.278.4266.
