A five-member Board of Directors, elected from geographic division, governs the District. The Board manages through an appointed general manager and four department heads.
The Board meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 2:00 P.M. in the Board room at the District offices, 29300 Valley Center Road, Valley Center, California.
Monday holidays will postpone meetings until Tuesday.
Enrico is an avocado grower and pest control advisor for area citrus and avocado groves. In addition to his Board duties, he serves as President on the San Diego County Farm Bureau, is a member of the California State Farm Bureau Water Committee and the Agricultural Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies, a statewide water association. Enrico is a 1996 graduate of UC Riverside and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.
Election Division: Four Occupation: Farmer Since 2016
A Valley Center native, Daniel grew up on his family’s Avocado Ranch, attending local schools. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, he earned a degree in BioResource and Agricultural Engineering. Employed with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Escondido since 2010, he assists landowners throughout SD County in improving irrigation efficiency and reducing soil erosion. He is a Licensed Civil Engineer and Certified Conservation Planner.
Election Division: Five Occupation: Agricultural Engineer Since 2018
A resident of Valley Center since 1979, Oliver Smith is an electronics engineer with a national firm developing and manufacturing medical equipment. He came to the District Board of Directors after serving 12 years on the Valley Center Fire Protection District Board of Directors and 12 years as Chairman of the Valley Center Community Planning Group.
Election Division: Three Occupation: Electronics Engineer Since 2018
Cooper Ness a fifth-generation Valley Center native, who now manages the family’s iconic “Bates Nut Farm.”, a landmark of the Valley Center Community for over 100 years. In addition to being a Manager of one of the most recognizable agricultural farms in the region, Cooper has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.
Election Division: Two Occupation: Retail Manager Since 2022
Alysha is the third generation of her farming family to live in Valley Center. She has a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and has worked in the wine and vineyard industry for over 15 years. She teaches winemaking, vineyard production and plant science at Mira Costa College. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Farm Bureau and the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation.
Election Division: One Occupation: Viticulturalist Since 2024
Division Boundary (PDF File)