Antonio Avalos

CHAIRPERSON

Professor and Chair, Department of Economics, Craig School of Business, California State University Fresno

Antonio Avalos currently serves as Vice Chairperson on Valley Small Business Development Corporation Board of Directors. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Economics from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK in 2003. Antonio’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Universidad Popular Antonoma del Estado de Puebla, MX; a Master of Science in Economics from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK; and a Ph.D. in economics from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. He is currently chairperson and a professor at California State University, Fresno in the department of Economics and has been teaching for over 20 years. He is also a research director at the Center for Economic Research and Education of Central California at California State University, Fresno.

Ken Herron

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Susan Woesner

SECRETARY

Senior Vice President/Manager, Fresno Business Financial Center, Citizens Business Bank

Susan Woesner currently serves as Secretary on Valley Small Business Development Corporation Board of Directors. Susan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno. She is currently Senior Vice President/Manager at Citizen Business Bank in Fresno, California. She is an experienced banking professional with over 20 years of experience in the agricultural and commercial banking industry. Susan is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington.

Oscar Espinoza

TREASURER

Frank Gallegos

BOARD MEMBER

Ali Nekumanesh

BOARD MEMBER

Executive Vice President, Deli Delicious Franchising Inc.

Ali serves as the Executive Vice President for Deli Delicious Franchising Inc.

Julia Picher

BOARD MEMBER

Lead School Psychologist, Fresno Unified School District

Julia Picher has been a Board Member since 1998. Julia obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work at California State University, Fresno in 1981; and her PPS Credential School Psychology at Fresno Pacific University in 2003. Julia is currently working for Fresno Unified School District as a School Psychologist. Julia continues to be active in her family farm in Orange Cove, which is planted in citrus, olives, and berries.

Robert Poythress

BOARD MEMBER

Debbie Raven

BOARD MEMBER

President/Chief Executive Officer, Valley Small Business Dev. Corp.

Debbie Raven graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1976 with a degree in Ag Business Management. Upon graduation, she began her lending career with Visalia Production Credit Association as their first female agricultural loan officer, where she ultimately served as a Vice President –Branch Manager. Seeking part-time employment so she could devote time to her raising her family, she began working for Valley Small Business Development Corporation (“Valley”) in 1990 to set up the agricultural lending program. Under Debbie’s direction, Valley became one of the leading FSA guarantee lenders in the state. She also developed and administered multiple disaster programs to assist farmers that were negatively impacted from frost, severe weather conditions, and drought. After serving in a variety of roles within the organization, she became the President/CEO in 2008. Debbie is active on many Boards and organizations including Secretary of Ag One – Fresno State, SCORE Advisory Board, Chairman of the 2013 Common Threads Luncheon, and a Community Club Dairy Leader of Elkhorn 4-H. Debbie is also a partner with her husband and son in a diversified farm operation and dairy in the Selma-Kingsburg area.