Board of Directors

The Board

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.


Valley Center MWD Elected Board of Directors


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Enrico Ferro

President

Enrico is an avocado grower and pest control advisor serving citrus and avocado groves throughout the region. In addition to his District Board duties, he is a past president and current member of the San Diego County Farm Bureau Board and serves as President of the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group. He was recently appointed to the California Avocado Commission Board. Enrico earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, in 1996.

Election Division: Four
Occupation: Farmer
Since 2016


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Daniel Holtz

Vice-President

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


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Cooper Ness

Director

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


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Alysha Stehly

Director

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


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Pat Baker

Director

Pat Baker grew up in Escondido and has been a resident of Valley Center for more than 23 years. He has served as the Safety Director at Southern Contracting for over 22 years, following a 20-year career with Hewlett-Packard, where he spent eight years in the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Beyond his professional work, Pat is active in the community. He serves as president of a youth agricultural scholarship program, Curren’s Cows, that sponsors 4H, FFA, and grange beef projects for young people across the county, established in honor of his late grandson, Curren.

Election Division: Three
Occupation:Safety Director
Since 2025


More Information

Division Boundaries