Joe Pope, P.E., Vice President of Construction – Water at MNS. As a US Navy Commander, he served as the Public Works Director for Naval Base Ventura County. As the Director of Ventura County’s Water and Sanitation Department, he led a team providing reliable, cost-effective water in unincorporated Ventura County. A professional civil engineer with a focus on groundwater and water resources management, Joe holds a Master’s of Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA. Joe enjoys ultramarathon trail running and exploring our region’s abundant open spaces on foot.

As a State Legislator, Fran Pavley has tackled some of the most challenging issues of our time. She authored AB32, reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Her landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act brought oversight over unchecked groundwater pumping. She resides in Agoura Hills, a city she helped form and served as its first mayor. Fran is currently the Environmental Policy Director for the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.

Jeff Pratt, P.E., recently retired from Ventura County where he served as the Director of the Public Works Agency overseeing five departments, 400 staff and a $350 million budget. During this time he was the Executive Director of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency. Jeff also led Ventura County’s Watershed Protection District where he worked with stakeholders to develop three State-approved Groundwater Sustainability Plans. Working with public and private stakeholders, he encouraged the development of Ventura County’s first water market allowing unused allocations to be bought and sold at market, and deployed and leveraged new technology to meter all agricultural wells.

Ella Boyajian and her husband purchased their dream property in Cuyama in 2021, just in time to be served in an adjudication. Ella is a new and still learning farmer attempting to dry-farm olives. She is passionate about groundwater sustainability and is inspired by the many small farmers and ranchers in Cuyama who have been good stewards of their basin.

Charlie Bosma has lived in the Cuyama Valley for most of his life. He runs his family ranch with longhorn cattle and a family orchard. Charlie’s community involvement includes being the high school athletic director and coach of multiple sports. Charlie also runs a local non-profit to support youth football in the valley

Jacob Furstenfeld (pictured with his wife Nicole) has lived in the Cuyama Valley for 33 years. He is a cattle rancher and small farmer and spends a great portion of his time advocating for small sustainable farms and ranches. Jake is passionate about the importance of ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations.

Daryl and Susan Smith bought Adaboy Acres, a 50-acre citrus and avocado farm in Moorpark, CA, in 1988 and have been selling their produce at local Farmer’s Markets since 1990. They have been reporting their well water pumping and have been in compliance with the GMA since 1988. Daryl has attended Ground Water Management meetings since 2000.

Brian Brennan has been a SOAR Board Member since its beginning, three decades ago. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the California Coastal Commission, the Ventura County Surfrider Foundation, the Ventura Port District, and is a past mayor and councilmember of the City of Ventura. He currently serves as a Director of the Casitas Municipal Water District, and is a Senior Executive Aide for Ventura County Supervisor, District 1. He is a leader in sustainability and a champion for all things coastal which explains why Brian is currently running for Ventura City Council.

Christine Mulholland is a 5th generation Californian who grew up on the family farm in the San Joaquin Valley her father started in 1955. She lives in San Luis Obispo where she has served on the County’s Water Resources Advisory Committee for 26 years, as well as 8 years on the City Council. Christine has championed sustainable farming and water conservation, critical aspects of addressing climate change, and is also the family spokesperson for information on her great grandfather, the legendary William Mulholland.