Irrigation Association appoints new board members

The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia has announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors, a group responsible for guiding the organization’s strategic direction and advancing the irrigation industry. 

The new directors are: 

• Alan Ence, QWEL – General Manager of Landscape and Agriculture, Hydro-Rain (Fruit Heights, Utah) 

• Brad Jakubowski, CIT – Instructor of Plant Science, Penn State University (Port Matilda, Pennsylvania) 

• Gretchen Kah – Director, Executive Vice President, K-Rain Manufacturing Corp. (San Francisco, California) 

• Frank Toves, CAIS, CIC, CID – President, AvidWater LLC (Castroville, California) 

These individuals began their terms at the conclusion of the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week, joining 11 continuing board members. The IA Board of Directors is composed of 15 elected leaders representing diverse market segments and member types across the irrigation industry. 

“We are excited to welcome these distinguished individuals to the IA Board of Directors. Their commitment to our industry and its members is inspiring, and their expertise will be instrumental in driving our mission to be the recognized authority in efficient irrigation,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Each of these new board members brings a unique perspective and set of skills that align with the IA’s efforts to serve as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry. We look forward to working alongside them to promote innovation, engage decision-makers, contribute to thriving businesses, and support long-term sustainability through the wise use of water.” 

The board plays a critical role in shaping policies and programs that support the association’s mission to elevate the impact of the irrigation industry, according to the Irrigation Association. Board members are nominated and elected annually by association members.