Board of Directors

Michael Doherty has served as a member of the Board of Directors for over 21 years and as Chairman since 2014. Michael represents the Williams, Arbuckle and Grimes area in our territory. In addition to his Board membership with the Association, Michael is also a director of Colusa County Farm Supply, Glenn County Farm Supply, Arbuckle-College City Fire Protection District, Colusa County Fair Foundation, Colusa County Fair Board, Arbuckle Revitalization Committee (Vice Chairman), Cortina Hulling & Shelling (Chairman), Dunnigan Hills Hulling & Shelling (Chairman), Grindstone Winery, and Cook Place Partners. Michael and his wife, Amy, farm on their family farm west of Arbuckle in the foothills under the name Chamisal Creek Ranch. On this ranch they farm almonds and wine grapes. Chamisal Creek also custom farms high density olives and provides farm management services. Michael and Amy bottle their wine grapes under the label GrindstoneWines LLC. Michael is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.

Herb Holzapfel, former Chairman, has served as a member of the Board of Directors for over 36 years. Herb is currently serving as Vice-Chairman. Herb represents the Willows, Bayliss, Artois area in our territory. In addition to his Board membership with the Association, Herb is also a Director for the Farm Credit Council (Director and Chairman of the Governance Committee) and Farmers Rice Cooperative (Former Chairman). As a Director on the Farm Credit Council, Herb represents our Association’s interests on a system-wide level making him a key asset to the Association’s Board. Herb is a rice grower and cattle rancher in Glenn County and is a graduate of California State University of Chico.

Judy Parker was elected to the Board of Directors in 2022. Judy represents the Williams, Arbuckle, and Grimes area in our territory. Judy graduated from Williams High School and received an Associate of Science Degree in Agricultural Business from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Judy and her family reside in Williams. Judy grows rice and walnuts as well as operates a cow/calf operation on her family farm and ranch in Colusa County. Judy is a member of Glenn-Colusa Cattlewomen

Susan LaGrande was elected to the Board in 2018. Susan represents the Colusa territory. Susan graduated from Williams High School. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and a Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College, Moraga. Susan resides in Colusa. Susan’s farming operation consists of wine grapes. Susan worked in Government Relations for Agriculture in the State of California for 16 years prior to being appointed by the Governor as Deputy Director for Legislation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Currently Susan serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Smith Policy Groups.

Gregg farms rice, alfalfa hay, grain hay, olives, almonds, and prunes in addition to operating cattle and trucking businesses in Glenn County. Gregg serves as Managing Member and various officer positions for several entities related to these commodities/industries. Gregg represents the Willows, Bayliss, Artois area in our territory. Gregg was appointed to the Board on September 23, 2021, to fill retiring Director Amaro’s vacant Board seat. In addition to his Board membership with the Association, Gregg also serves as Director of Kirkwood Irrigation District and President of Glenn Golf and Country Club. Gregg has immediate family with loans from the Association during 2021 and has been engaged in farming for the past five years. Gregg has an AA degree in Agricultural Business from Butte College.

Francis Hickel was elected to the Board in 2017. Francis represents the Colusa territory. In addition to his position on the Board, Francis is a first generation rice farmer, currently farming rice in Colusa County as well as providing services to other local farmers. Francis is born and raised in the Colusa area. He is also active on the Colusa Rotary committee, a current Board Member on the Colusa Basin Drainage District, Colusa Rice Company (Owner, Board Member & CFO) and Zumwalt Mutual Water District.

Matt Southam was elected to the Board of Directors in 2018. Matt represents the Maxwell, Delevan, Princeton area in our territory. Matt and his family reside in Durham. Matt graduated from Princeton High School. He attended California State University, Chico, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business. Matt’s farming operation consists of walnuts and rice. Matt owns and manages Southam Orchards LLC, a walnut farming operation, and is a Partner in Southam Joint Venture, Southam Walnut Huller & Dryer (which he also manages), Omega Walnut, and McCowan & Southam. Matt is a Director of the Central Valley Rice Cooperative, Omega Walnut, and Maxwell Irrigation District (Vice Chairman).

Craig has served as a member of the Board of Directors for 1 year.  Craig represents the Maxwell, Delevan, Princeton area in our territory.  Craig and his family reside in Maxwell.  Craig is a graduate of California State University, Chico.  In addition to his Board membership with the Association, Craig is a director of Farm Service Agency and as Vice President of Colusa Youth Shooting Sports.  Craig's farming operation consists of rice, almonds, walnuts and hay.

Chris Bonacorsi has served as a member of the Board of Directors for over 16 years and is one of our two Appointed Directors. Chris previously served as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Chris and his family reside in Chico. Chris is a Certified Public Accountant and Principal with K-Coe Isom, a public accounting firm. He is also a former Director for the Boys & Girls Club Community Board, former Director Matson and Isom Accounting Corporation and current Director for K-Coe Isom. Chris’s client base includes growers, producers, processors, manufacturers, and other closely-held businesses in the areas of tax planning, tax credits, mergers, liquidations, and reorganizations. Chris is a graduate of University of California, Davis.

Jeff Sutton, Attorney at Law, is one of our two appointed Directors. Jeff was elected to the Board in 2017. Jeff and his family live in Colusa. Jeff is the Chairman of the Association’s Audit Committee. Jeff is General Manager/Attorney of Tehama Colusa Canal Authority.  He is a Director for the North Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Board, a member of the Ridgetop Rice Dryer Advisory Committee and Director for Sites Joint Power Authority Board. Jeff is well versed in water issues impacting Northern California making him a great source of information as well as a terrific representative for our Association. Jeff received his undergraduate from University of California, Berkeley, and his Juris Doctorate from University of San Diego School of Law.