Plant Sciences Department Advisory Council
Advisory Council
The mission of the PLSC Advisory Council is to advise and support the Plant Sciences' Department faculty, students, programs, and activities. Comprised of volunteer leaders from private industry and academia, advisory council members serve many purposes: assisting with curriculum decisions, helping with student and faculty recruitment, counseling about facilities, connecting us with others in business and social communities, and identifying and raising financial resources in support of our Learn by Doing mission.
Advisory Council members typically serve three-year, renewable terms. Meetings are held virtually and in person on a regular basis throughout the academic year. In addition, members are encouraged to engage in research and project collaborations, interact with students through clubs and class presentations, and provide ongoing input into the curriculum and training opportunities to better prepare our students for professional careers.
We are always looking for alumni and non-alumni leaders to serve on our diverse and dynamic council. To learn more about the PLSC Advisory Council, contact PLSC Administrative Coordinator Nicole Lyons at 805-756-1237 or plantsciences@calpoly.edu.
Members (* denotes alumnus)
Rachelle Antinetti*
ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIR
Founder
AMPLIVARE / Oakdale, CA
Rachelle Antinetti is the Founder of Amplivare and a highly accomplished business visionary with over 20 years of experience in business development, operations, employee development, and project management within the Agriculture Industry. She is a results-oriented executive with a unique blend of corporate and consulting background, and a strong leader in complex environments who is adept at optimizing the performance, outcome, and value of initiatives by leading the development of best practices, processes, and standards. Rachelle is a proven thought leader who drives bold strategies that lead to operational improvements.
Amplivare is a professional company helping Agribusinesses with strategies and leadership, Executives in Professional Development, and College Students with internships. Prior to launching Amplivare, Rachelle worked in sales and marketing at Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva), in Business Development at Mid Valley Agricultural Services and as the Vice President of Dave Wilson Nursery.
Rachelle Antinetti is a resilient and energetic executive with high-caliber interpersonal relationships, leadership, management, and coaching skills. She is a true thought leader in the agriculture industry and has proven time and time again to be a valuable asset to any organization she is a part of. Rachelle and her husband David have 3 young adult children and live in Oakdale, California.
Jon Singley*
President
Blue Spruce Landscape / Cambell, CA
Jon Singley, founded Blue Spruce Landscape in April 1977 at the age of 18. Jon gained his early landscape experience by taking vocational education courses at his high school and working for a variety of landscape companies in the San Jose area. In September 1978, Jon transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Upon completing his degree in 1982, he returned to San Jose and resumed his construction career.
Today, Blue Spruce has grown into an award-winning company of 35 employees who bring exceptional skills to each of our projects. Employee longevity and expertise are our most important assets. These assets enable Blue Spruce to work as a high-performing team and set us apart from many other landscape and construction firms.
At Blue Spruce Landscape, we are committed to enhancing the professionalism of the landscape industry and are active in our community and in the industry to achieve that end. Jon has served on the executive board of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the California Landscape Contractor’s Association (CLCA) for six years and was Chapter President in 1999. He also has served on CLCA's State Board for the last five years and served as State President in 2004. Jon has served on the Board of Directors for the California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom and currently serves a board member for Ag Industry Council and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Aidan Williams
Vice President of Sales
Por La Mar Nursery / Santa Barbara, CA
Aidan Williams is the Vice President of Sales at Por La Mar Nursery, a premier wholesale foliage and flowering plant grower based in Santa Barbara, California. As a third-generation member of the Williams family, Aidan has played a key role in expanding the company’s market presence while upholding its legacy of quality, sustainability, and innovation in horticulture. A graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences, he combines a deep understanding of plant production with strong leadership in business development and customer relations.
Justin Davis*
Executive Director Commercial Operations
Sakata Seed America / Woodland, CA
Justin Davis is the Executive Director Commercial Operations of Sakata Seed America, Inc.. He is responsible for Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain and Quality. He has worked with Sakata off and on since 1995. Before moving to Veg sales in 2017, Justin was in charge of the seed production dept. Global teams have included, Production management Committee, World wide Marketing Management Committee - and most recently been appointed to the California State Seed Board, California Seed Association Board of Directors, American Seed Trade Association – Flower and Vegetable Division Chair.
Colby Pereira*
Chief Operating Officer
Braga Fresh Family Farms / Soledad, CA
Colby Pereira is the Chief Operating Officer at Braga Fresh Family Farms, a vertically integrated company that grows and ships organic and conventional fresh vegetables worldwide.
Colby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business with a minor in crop science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She lives where she was born and raised, in Soledad, Calif., also home of Braga Fresh and the company’s brand, Josie’s Organics.
Colby is active in several professional and community organizations. She served as president to the Salinas Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, representing Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.
She is the current board president of the Monterey County Farm Bureau and is a board member of the Grower Shipper Association of Central CA, where she participates on the Food Safety, Land Use and Water Use Committees with both organizations. She also sits on the Leafy Green Marketing Agreement Advisory Board & Technical Committee, the California Leafy Greens Research Board, the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Board, the Hartnell College Foundation Board, the Community Foundation for Monterey County, is an elected director to the Salinas Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency and an elected member of the Mission Union School District Board of Trustees.
Outside of work, Colby enjoys volunteering, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Connor Rose*
District Field Manager
Calavo Growers, Inc. / Santa Barbara, CA
For the past four years, Connor Rose has served as a District Field Manager for Calavo Growers INC in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. He obtained his degree in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences, with a minor in Plant Protection, from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2018. Initially, he began his career as a Junior Agronomist for Olam Farms in the Central Valley, where he worked with almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. He made a career transition in 2019, shifting his focus to the avocado industry. Presently, he serves as a member of the board of directors for Santa Barbara County Farm bureau. To further his involvement in agriculture, he obtained licenses as a Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor to help growers in a more in-depth manner. Growing up on the Central Coast, Connor gained hands-on experience in farming avocados and engaged in commercial fishing activities out of Morro Bay alongside his family.
Sonny Marsh*
V.P. of Sustainability and Product Integrity
Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc. / Salinas, CA
Sonny P. Marsh is the Vice President of Sustainability and Product Integrity for Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc. based in Salinas, CA. She has lead the Naturipe Berry Growers, Food Safety and Quality Assurance team for over 10 years. She continues to lead and oversee the Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs in California and Mexico. She has prior experience as a Lead Food Safety Auditor, QA Technical Support, as well as being scheme Director of Azzule Systems (PrimusGFS).
Sonny has also developed the Sustainability Department for Naturipe Berry Growers and most recently attained a Sustainability Certification from eCornell University.
Sonny graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2007, with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Environmental Horticulture Science, and part of the California’s Agricultural Leadership Foundation Class 42.
Paul Crout*
AGRIntelligence|Agronomy|Organics Manager Western US
Helena Agri-Enterprises / Templeton, CA
Paul has been working for Helena Agri-Enterprises since the end of 2013 in various roles, and is currently serving as the AGRIntelligence-Agronomy-Organics Manager for the Western US. He leads the Agronomy and Agriculture Technology business along with Helena’s Organic efforts across 10 States in the Western US. His team of 16 Agronomists & AGRIntelligence Technicians support Helena’s sales group on everything from mapping to nutrient budgets to irrigation scheduling. His areas of expertise include plant nutrition, soil-plant-water relations, organic systems, and pest management.
A native of the Central Coast, Paul graduated in 1999 from Cal Poly SLO with a BS in Physical Geography with extensive coursework in Micro-Biology, Chemistry, Plant Biology, Soils and Geology. Paul is a Licensed PCA, QAL, and a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) with Nitrogen Management and Sustainability Certifications. Over the past 23 years, Paul has consulted for vineyard properties from Santa Barbara to Napa, managed 900 acres of wine grapes in Paso Robles, and worked as an Agricultural Pest Control Advisor on the Central Coast. Previous to his current employment, Paul was a Vineyard Manager & Viticulturist for Vineyard Professional Services in Paso Robles, CA.
Paul currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the California Association of Pest Control Advisors in Sacramento and as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Central Coast Vineyard Team. Paul also completed an 18-month fellowship with the prestigious California Agricultural Leadership Program as a member of Class 48.
Paul lives in Templeton, CA with his wife, Giselle, his two children, Ben (18) and Anna (14), and their two energetic Golden Retrievers.
Kristen Camarena*
Executive Vice President
Betteravia Farms / Santa Maria
Kristen is a highly experienced agricultural professional with a strong background in the industry. With 18 years of valuable experience in the field, Kristen has made significant contributions in various sectors of agriculture.
After graduating Cal Poly with a BS in Wine and Viticulture, Kristen started her professional career as a Grower Relations Rep, working for Hope Family Wines on the central coast. During this time, she developed a deep understanding of grape cultivation and winemaking processes, laying a solid foundation for her career in agriculture. Expanding her expertise, Kristen transitioned into the role of a Pest Control Advisor, at one of the most prominent permanent crop farms in the United States, Wonderful Orchards, providing essential guidance in pest management and ensuring the health and quality of Almonds and Pistachios. Her dedication and commitment to being a constant learner progressed as she became a certified California Crop Advisor, further establishing her expertise in the field.
Continuing her pursuit of excellence, Kristen obtained an Executive MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. This additional qualification equipped her with enhanced leadership and strategic skills, and the knowledge to influence decision-making processes effectively. Recognized for her expertise and leadership, Kristen has served on various water boards, contributing to the management and conservation of vital resources. Her insight and understanding of water usage within the agriculture sector has helped shaped board policy and sustainable practices.
Prior to her role at Betteravia Farms, Kristen was the Associate Vice President at Wonderful Orchards, managing 30,000 acres, a testament to her exceptional skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities.
Justin Golding
Director
Sun pacific
Justin Golding is a seasoned citrus industry leader based in Bakersfield, California, serving as Director of Northern Farming for Sun Pacific Farming. In this role he oversees multi-site production operations, development of new acreage, and operational efficiencies across the San Joaquin Valley’s citrus landscape. He also contributes to the broader industry through participation on the Citrus Research Board, where he helps guide research priorities and support innovation for California growers.
Matt Toste*
Director of Farming
Woolf Enterprises / Modesto, CA
Matt Toste is an experienced agricultural leader and Area Farm Manager at Woolf Enterprises, where he oversees large-scale farming operations, land development, and strategic property management across California. A graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agricultural Systems Management and a Master of Business Administration from CSU Stanislaus, Matt brings both technical and business expertise to his work. He currently serves on the Cal Poly Plant Sciences Department Advisory Committee and is a proud alumnus of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 41), where he continues to champion innovation, collaboration, and leadership development within California’s agricultural community.
Mason Duarte*
Senior Grower
Windset Farms / Nipomo, CA
Mason Duarte is a Senior Grower at Windset Farms in Santa Maria, California, where he has spent more than a decade advancing greenhouse vegetable production and innovation. Known throughout the industry for his technical expertise and collaborative leadership, Mason has played a key role in introducing new seedless pepper varieties and improving production efficiency. A Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo graduate, he also serves on the university’s Plant Sciences Advisory Committee, where he helps connect students and faculty with real-world industry experience. Mason is highly respected for his commitment to quality, sustainability, and mentoring the next generation of agricultural professionals.
