BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Read below to learn more about our committed board members, and how their role is continuing our tradition of excellence.
CHRISTOPHER GREER
President
Tulare
Christopher Greer was born and raised in Tulare California where he was heavily involved in the local 4-H, FFA, and Agricultural Community. Christopher attended College of the Sequoias from 2 years and transferred to California State University, Fresno where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Business. Christopher started his career in 2011 with the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Department and moved his way up from an Agricultural & Standards Inspector Trainee to his current position of Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer (Tulare County) that he has now held for the past 4 years. Christopher is a recent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 52) as well as serves as an Advisory Board Member for the California State Agricultural Education Advisory Committee appointed by the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in addition to his local Tulare FFA Chapter Advisory Board. Christopher enjoys volunteering whenever possible at community events or educating the public about all that the County Agricultural Commissioner Departments throughout California do for Agriculture. Christopher currently resides in Visalia, California with his wife Myca, and two children, Korbin (6), and Emmett (4) where they love traveling to the beach and camping when they can
AMEER ATRASH
Past President
Ventura
Ameer received his Bachelors of Science in Biology from the California State University, Channel Islands and is currently a second-year law school student at the Ventura College of Law. In his current role as Supervising Agricultural Inspector/Biologist, he oversees the operational efforts of the export certification program along with assisting and training in pest exclusion matters. His professional interests include training and development, administrative law, and technical efficiencies.
ALEXANDER (ALEX) NGUYEN
Vice President North
Sonoma
Alex received his Bachelors of Science in Entomology from the University of California, Davis. In his current role as Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector, he performs enforcement activities in thePesticide Use Enforcement as well as High Risk, and Pest Exclusion Programs. His professional interests focus on emerging agricultural pests of concern.
ANTONIO VENEGAS
Vice President South
Imperial
Antonio received his Bachelors of Science in Biology, majoring in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution from the University of California, San Diego. In his current role as Agricultural Biologist/Standard Specialist IV, he supervises both the Weights & Measures and Special Projects Divisions for Imperial County. His professional interests include enhancing stakeholder relationships, facilitating professional development, and public service.
JANESSA WEINGAND
Treasurer
Contra Costa
Janessa received her degree in Agricultural Science and Education from California State University, Chico. Janessa currently serves the public as an Agricultural Biologist for the county of Contra Costa. In her current role as an agricultural biologist, Janessa helps regulate the Pest Management, Phytophthora ramorum and High Risk Pest Exclusion programs. She also contributes to the annual County Crop Report. Her professional interests focus on educating the public about the importance of agriculture, developing relationships with stakeholders and mastering new skills in the workplace.
RAMONA HOCKETT
Executive Secretary
Santa Clara
Ramona received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz. Ramona previously worked as the canine handler for the Santa Clara County Dog Team enforcing pest exclusion regulations for three years and has recently transitioned into the current role of Biologist/Standards Specialist, focusing on Weights and Measures. Ramona enjoys learning and growing in this amazing career and is excited about being on the CASAP Board.
MADELINE WISECARVER
Webmaster
Napa
​Madeline received a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism from Oklahoma State University. She currently is serving a role as an Agricultural/ Weights and Measures Inspector. Her professional passions include field worker safety, diversity and inclusion, and advocating for advancement of technology to increase efficiency in the Pest Detection Program.
JAY BURDEN
Member at Large
Riverside
Jay received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California Riverside. In her current role as an Agricultural and Standards Investigator, she performs inspections and enforcement activities in a variety of programs such as Pesticide Use Enforcement, Direct Marketing, Nursery Inspections, Quantity Control, and Submeter Testing. Two of her professional interests include informing the public and the industry about pesticide safety and equity in the marketplace.
JASMINE LOPEZ
Member at Large
San Diego
Jasmine received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz. Jasmine previously worked as an Agricultural/Standards Inspector in High Risk Pest Exclusion, Phytosanitary issuance, Nursery, and ACP Bulk Citrus Enforcement programs. In her current role as a Supervising Agricultural/Standards Inspector, she oversees the ACP Bulk Citrus and Dog Team programs. Her professional interests include staff development and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
SHAYLA NEUFELD
Member at Large
Monterey
Shayla Neufeld received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education-Agriculture Communications from California State University, Fresno. She currently serves as a program lead Agricultural Inspector / Biologist III for County of Monterey within the Fruit and Vegetable Standardization unit, which includes: Commodity Standards, Direct Marketing, Retail Egg Inspections, Organics, Cannabis Cultivation, Industrial Hemp, County Fairs, Crop Report and assists in the management of the Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer's office social media page. Her professional interests focus on educating the public she serves about the importance of agriculture and volunteers with local 4H, FFA, career fairs and Monterey County Agricultural Education Farm Day events.
VICTOR RABINOVICH
Member at Large
San Francisco
Victor received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. After several years of internships in natural resources management, sustainable agriculture and three years in rural Japan, Victor completed a master’s in international business from the Middlebury Institute of International studies in Monterey California. In his current role as an agricultural inspector, Victor covers several programs including High Risk Parcel Inspection program, Phytosanitary issuance, and other programs in Direct Marketing. Prior to being and agriculture inspector, Victor worked for four years as a weights and measures inspector for the same county. Victor’s introduction into the CDFA licensed inspector/biologist professions was a result of being a seasonal insect trapper in Alameda County.
CARINA AGUILAR
Member at Large
Fresno
Carina received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Technology & Policy, with a concentration in Applied Ecology from California State University, Monterey Bay. In her current role as an Agricultural and Standards Specialist, Carina focuses on Pesticide Inspections throughout all of Fresno County. Carina’s responsibilities include, overseeing the work performed by applicators, in production agriculture and non production agriculture. Her professional interests include educating applicators on the importance of Personal Protection Equipment and building strong relationships with growers and businesses.
Want to meet our team members? Get in touch with us today.