2022 CVCWA OfficersCentral Valley Chapter
Nanette Simonian – President
n.simonian@comcast.net
Nanette is a Central Valley native, born and raised in Fresno, CA to Pete and Patty Simonian. Nanette’s love for Agriculture started as she was working on the family farm while growing up. This is where her passion to learn and understand how crops grew flourished. Nanette graduated from California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) in 1987 in Plant Science/Agronomy. Nanette has been a licensed PCA for over 30 years, she is currently employed by EarthSol. Nanette works with distribution throughout Californian and Arizona, she also worked and lived in Montana, Wyoming and Florida. Nanette also volunteers her time to numerous local and state charities and non-profit organizations, the belief in giving back to your community was ingrained into Nanette at a young age by her parents and grandparents.
Allie Oliveira-Jones – Vice President
alliej3808@gmail.com
Allie was born and raised on a family farm in Hanford, California. Over the years, her family has farmed several different commodities, but one thing that was always grown on the Oliveira’s farm was love and cattle. Allie still owns several head of registered Brown Swiss dairy cattle, some with pedigrees dating back to her 4-H and FFA project animals. In 2000, Allie moved from Hanford to San Luis Obispo, California where she earned her degree in Agriculture Science from Cal Poly. Three years later, she went back to school and received her Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. For 15 years, Allie lived in San Luis Obispo County with her husband Scott and worked her way from Administrative Assistant to Controller of two wineries in Paso Robles. In 2018, Allie and her husband decided it was time to come back home to the Central Valley. Allie now works as the Controller of American Pistachio Growers in Fresno. In addition, Allie runs the freight brokering arm and serves as Chief Executive Officer of her and her husband’s trucking and brokering business, A & S Jones Transportation Solutions. In her spare time, Allie serves as the Vice President and Membership Chair for the Central Valley chapter of California Women for Agriculture and is involved in the Craig College of Business mentorship program at Fresno State where she meets with graduating seniors and serves as a mentor and interview coach.
Katrina Steinhauer – Secretary
kmsteinhauer@yahoo.com
Katrina was raised in Sanger. She recently completed her Master of Science Degree in Plant Science in December 2021 at California State University, Fresno. She has previously served as Ag Booster BBQ Chair for CWA.
Paige Gilligan, CAC – Treasurer
CollateralExec@gmail.com
Paige was born and raised in Indiana and moved to Fresno in 2009. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s degree in Ag Economics/Ag Business Management from Purdue University. Formerly a Senior Vice President for Rabobank in collateral risk, Paige has stepped out on her own and is running a small firm of independent risk management consultants specializing in assisting producers and agribusinesses in the areas of asset valuation, water risk analysis, and strategic planning. Her passion for agricultural business started with FFA and has continued throughout her career. Over the years, Paige has been involved with marketing, sales, finance, strategic planning, and management/ownership. She enjoys sharing her ag knowledge and experience in any way she can. Paige has been a CWA member since 2010 and is currently serving as the chapter Treasurer.
Dr. Carol Chandler – Legislative Outreach Director
CarolChand@aol.com
Carol is a partner in Chandler Farms, LP. She and her husband, Bill, and sons, Tom and John, farm grapes, almonds, and tree fruit in the Selma District of Fresno County. They grow grapes for raisins and wine, as well as almonds, peaches, plums, nectarines and citrus. She assists with the business administration portion of the operation. She served as State President of CA Women for Agriculture and is a member of the boards of Western Growers, CA Grape and Tree Fruit League and the Fresno Regional Foundation. She also belongs to the Junior League of Fresno and the Common Threads Committee that honors philanthropic women in Valley agriculture communities. Carol received the distinguished 2020 honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Fresno State for her leadership in agriculture and business, and her inspired volunteerism and philanthropy. Chandler Farms was honored by Moss Adams for the 2020 Ag Business Award for Achievement and impact to the ag industry in the Central Valley. Carol and her husband Bill were also selected by the California State Fair Board of Directors as its Agriculturalists of the Year in 2020. She recently received the 2021 Award of Honor from Western Growers for being an exemplary agriculture advocate, educator, philanthropist and trailblazer for contributing extensively to the agricultural community.
Lorna Roush – Past President
schultzranch1886@gmail.com
Lorna was born in 1974 to Richard and Bonnie Schultz. She is the youngest of three with two older brothers. She is the 5th generation on the family farm. She graduated from Riverdale High School. Shortly after high school she married her high school sweetheart Chris Roush. She graduated from Fresno State with an Ag Business Degree in 1998. During her Fresno State years, she had two children, Keith and Samantha. She went on to get her Teaching Credentials and taught for a few years before returning to the Ag field. She currently works for the family farm in the office. Lorna is in charge of the accounting, legal, chemical and safety for the ranch. She is involved with Fresno County Farm Bureau, California Women for Ag, Riverdale Chamber of Commerce, My Job Depends on Ag, Horizon Pistachios Company and American Pistachio Growers. She enjoys her time with her husband, children and grandsons. Lorna also enjoys her 9 dogs, 8 cats, horse and sow. She usually has many of the dogs with her wherever she is on the ranch. She received the Marjaree Mason Center Top Ten Professional Women and Business Award, 23rd Assembly District’s Women of the Year for her “Widen 41” effort and will be receiving the Common Threads award in March 2022 her philanthropic efforts in the community and the world and for her exemplary and extraordinary contribution of time, energy and resources that has enhanced those around her.
