Will Rousseau: Chairman.The Rousseau family has farmed in Arizona for four generations, dating back to the late 1800’s. Bill Rousseau was primarily involved in the cattle business with a feed lot in West Phoenix that he operated until 1980. His oldest son Will, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from the University of Arizona in 1979, worked with Bill for two years before starting his own operation. By 1986, Will was farming 1700 acres of row crops before experimenting with 40 acres of carrots. That same year the youngest son, David, another University of Arizona grad (’83) returned after three years with the Farm Credit System to help form the Rousseau Farming Company partnership. Today the operation consists of 10,000 acres, of which over 70% are vegetable production with the core crops being carrots, broccoli, and melons. The operation is vertically integrated with its own harvesting equipment, trucking, cooling, icing and shipping facilities. Several years ago they began processing baby peeled carrots and have recently added a shred and floret line for food service customers.

Will Rousseau is the Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Western Growers Association, the Past Chairman of the WGA Political Action Committee and the Past Chairman of the Citrus Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Council. He has been appointed to the Governor’s Committee for Agricultural Best Management Practices Air Quality Maricopa County, Arizona and the Arizona Department of Agriculture Advisory Council. He has held all offices, including President, of the Board of Directors for the Vegetable Growers Association. He was a Director of United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. He was a Board Member for the South Mountain Gin, and the Arizona Farm Bureau.

Will is a life member of the Xavier Dad Club and enjoyed coaching all his daughter’s Little League softball teams. He also enjoys golf, fishing and hunting when he is not busy farming. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Phoenix and have three grown daughters Kristin, Lindsey and Jenna.

Jim Manos: I am a native Arizonan, graduating from Brophy College Preparatory and Arizona State University, the latter with a degree in Accounting. After passing the CPA exam, I worked in public accounting and then as vice-president of a multi-state homebuilder before finding a real home in agriculture. I first entered agriculture as an accountant for Shamrock Farms and later with Parker Dairy Farms, where I spent 18 years. I am currently the CFO of Hickman’s Family Farms. They say converts have a greater appreciation for their conversion than those born into it and that is how I feel about agriculture. Even though I was raised a city boy, I cannot imagine working in any other field. My wife, Mary Anne, and I have raised four terrific kids, two Lumberjacks and two Sun Devils. Mary Anne has been a teacher at SS. Simon & Jude Catholic School for 20 years. Off duty, we enjoy anything that involves spending time with our family.

Dan Graham Bell : I am a third generation rancher and currently president of the ZZ Cattle Corporation of Nogales, Arizona. My family has been working the same piece of country since 1938. Over the years the operation has expanded to approximately 70 sections. I am happily married and have 3 wonderful children. I am a 1994 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Renewable Natural Resources emphasizing in Range Management. I am actively involved in the Cattle Industry and have served in leadership roles for the Southern Arizona Cattlemen’s Protective Association and the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, as well as, serving on the Board of Directors for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. On a local level I serve as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for Santa Cruz County and a Supervisor for the Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District. My background is in agriculture and I am honored to serve on the Arizona Department of Agriculture Advisory Council.

Susan Chase :. (Biography Coming Soon!)

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