Agricultural Leader Jay Mahil Appointed to UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees

Community leader and Creekside Company co-owner Jay Mahil has been named to the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees.

A fourth-generation farmer and the first in his family born in the United States, Mahil grew up in Lodi and is a longtime Fresno resident. After graduating from Lodi High School and Fresno State, he joined his family's farming business, playing a key role in its modernization and expansion across the region.

Mahil and his family own and operate Madera-based Creekside Land Company, LLC; Creekside Farming Company, Inc.; and other affiliated Creekside entities. The family's agricultural enterprise covers thousands of acres and encompasses the cultivation of a variety of produce, including almonds, citrus, pistachios, grapes and walnuts.

A recognized leader in California agriculture, Mahil served as past president of the Madera County Farm Bureau, past director of Madera Community Hospital, and on the University Foundation and Governance Board at Fresno State. He currently serves as District 9 director for the California Farm Bureau, chairman of the Chowchilla Subbasin Growers and chair of the Liberty Ag Advisory Committee.

"We are delighted that Jay has joined the Board of Trustees," said UC Merced Chief External Relations Officer and UC Merced Foundation President E. Edward Klotzbier. "His deep roots in the Valley and strong commitment to innovation, sustainability and community make him an invaluable addition. With his strong understanding of our region's most important industry, his perspective will enrich our work and help us better serve our mission."

"Jay's appointment to the board strengthens our capacity to serve the region, particularly through the valuable expertise he brings in agriculture and innovation," added UC Merced Foundation Chair Monya Lane. "His perspective will be a tremendous asset as we look to the future."

Mahil assumed his new role as a UC Merced Foundation board trustee July 1.