Shaping the Future of Water: The Ag Center Hosts Industry Round Table on Policy, Agriculture, and Innovation
FOCUS Investment Banking (“FOCUS”) is pleased to sponsor an exclusive round table event featuring influential voices from across the water industry. This timely conversation will bring together experts with deep experience in policy, agriculture, water management, and sustainability to explore the evolving landscape of water use and regulation.
The discussion will be moderated by Chase Hurley, Managing Partner at Water and Land Solutions, and Steve Jackson, Cuyama Basin Water District Board Director, Founder of the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta, and Owner of Next Gen Water. The round table aims to foster candid dialogue and practical insights.
Featured panelists include:
- Geof Vanden Heuvel, Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs at the Milk Producers Council
- Austin Ewell, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Valley Water Blueprint and President of The Ewell Group
Sean Haynes, a Senior Advisor at FOCUS and an agricultural sector expert, will also be in attendance to share perspectives on water’s critical role in agribusiness, and how evolving policy trends are influencing investment strategies and operational decisions across the sector.
Key discussion themes will include:
- Understanding the New Federal Regulatory Regime: What recent federal changes mean for water management strategies, and how stakeholders can prepare.
- Perspectives from the Field: Insights from farmers and dairymen on current conditions and expectations heading into 2026.
- Looking Ahead: Updates on water infrastructure projects, conservation programs, and policy developments shaping the future of the industry.
This round table is designed for professionals across the water sector—from policymakers and agricultural producers to engineers, investors, and resource managers—seeking actionable insights in an increasingly complex and interconnected environment. Let’s talk solutions. Let’s talk water.
When: June 20, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Bella Luna Merced, 350 W Main St Merced, CA 95340
