Landowners at the nation’s largest water district have chosen board members to represent them as they navigate the future of farming in the western San Joaquin Valley.

Five seats at Westlands Water District were up for election this last cycle. The four members who sought reelection all got their seats back. The district’s former board president, Ryan Ferguson, returned to fill the seat of Kevin Assemi, who did not run.

The district held elections on Nov. 4. The board certified the vote on Nov. 19. The next election for these board members will be in 2028.

“The re-election of these highly qualified and experienced individuals reflects our grower’s commitment to continue the district’s legacy of leadership and innovation as we continue to navigate the important challenges and exciting opportunities ahead,” said Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands. “The work before us is vital for the future of the hundreds of family farms and thousands of community members who rely on Westlands Water District.”

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William Bourdeau

Fourth-generation farmer and CEO of Bourdeau Farms in Coalinga, William Bourdeau will serve another four years, having been on the board since 2015. Bourdeau also oversees operations on 25,000 acres in Coalinga, Sanger, and Lodi as executive vice president of Harris Farms.

Harris Farms grows lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onions, melons, almonds, pistachios, and wine grapes.

Jeff Fortune

A graduate of UC Davis, third-generation farmer Jeff Fortune has been board president since 2022. Fortune began farming in Westlands in 1978 with his wife Mitzi, cultivating tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios.  Fortune’s father and two brothers also farm, according to the district website.

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Frank Coelho

Frank Coelho grows near Five Points. The third-generation farmer has been on the board since 1991. He grows tomatoes, pistachios, wine grapes, almonds, cotton, garlic, and garbanzo beans with several other members of his family.

Jim Anderson

Jim Anderson has been on the Westlands board since 2013. A fifth-generation farmer, Anderson grows lettuce, cotton, tomatoes, garlic, wheat, barley, corn, almonds, and wine grapes — as water allows. He farms alongside his grandfather, mother, and sister.

Ryan Ferguson

Former board president Ryan Ferguson will take his seat back after Assemi chose not to run again. Ferguson had been president from April 2021 to December 2022. In the role, Ferguson helped lead the development and adoption of the district’s groundwater sustainability plan and water banking program. On the west side of the district, Ferguson and his father grow almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, onions, and cotton.

Four other board seats will be up for election in 2026. They are now held by Donald Ross Franson III, Jeremy Hughes, Ernie Costamagna, and Justin Diener.