Don is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in biology. He is married with two adult children. Since 1987, Don has been the Vice President and General Manager of Terranova Ranch, Inc., which is located 25 miles southwest of Fresno, California. Terranova farms approximately 7,500 acres, in addition to 1,500 acres custom farmed for other clients. The farm has a mix of conventional, organic and biotech field crops. Over 25 different crops are grown on the farm. Don also owns and farms Prado Farms located in Fresno County.
Don serves on the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel since 2011. In 2012, Don served an appointment at the federal level on the Working Group for the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. Since 2014, Don has been serving on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and is currently president. He currently serves as Chairman for the California Cotton Alliance, director and past Chairman for the California Tomato Growers Association, Chairman for McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainable Agency and director of the Raisin City Water District. In the spring of 2020, Don was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force For Business and Jobs Recovery; Operations Committee and currently serves on the DPR Sustainable Pest Management Task Force.
Don was appointed to the board in 2021 as Executive Secretary.