New Board of Directors

The Irrigation Association has announced the following three new members of the Board of of Directors. These individuals started their terms at the conclusion of the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week. In early 2024, the IA accepted nominations for 2024-2027 positions on the Board. Directors are elected to three-year terms, and they work to establish the association’s strategic direction, policies and programs.

Alan Ence

Alan Ence, QWEL, is general manager of landscape and agriculture at Hydro-Rain. During his 30-year career, he has worked in multiple areas including product development, business development and management. He is named on multiple U.S. patents for products in the field of irrigation. Ence is a 1995 graduate of Weber State University in Odgen, Utah, and earned certification as a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper in California in 2022. He has served one partial term on the IA Board of Directors.

“I love the irrigation community. In associating over the past thirty years with “rank and file” landscape irrigation contractors, farmers, local, regional, and national distribution channel associates, landscape architects, property managers, water managers, small business owners, municipalities, water districts, manufacturers, and consumers, I have seen where there is much opportunity for the IA's programs, education, and influence to positively benefit patrons and connected communities. Being an effective advocate voice to and from one or two of these multiple channel categories in order to instigate awareness that benefits lifestyle and finite resource sustainability is motivating to me.”

Brad Jakubowski

Brad Jakubowski, CIT, has over 35 years of industry experience working with landscape, grounds, sports field and golf irrigation systems, installation and service. He is also familiar with pivot and furrow irrigation systems and supported avionics electronics maintenance in the Air Force. With over 23 years of teaching experience, he currently teaches plant and turfgrass irrigation courses at Penn State University and has developed an online irrigation course for PSU World Campus. He was awarded the IA Excellence in Education Award in 2022.

“I would like to serve on the IA Board of Directors to help contribute to an already outstanding organization. I would like to provide my experience within the industry and with education to help further the IA mission of promoting best practices in water-resource usage and management.”

Frank Toves

Frank Toves, CAIS, CIC, CID, is president of AvidWater LLC. His career started in the office of a small ag irrigation dealer, moved to the warehouse, and then to working with construction crews as an installer. He became an automation technician and started working in outside sales, helping start several new locations. Before taking on his current position, he worked as a regional sales manager and director of sales and marketing. He currently serves on the IA Technical Working Group and Advocacy-Agriculture Advisory Group.

“The irrigation industry is critical in securing the long-term sustainability of our planet's water and it has been the focal point of my professional journey throughout my career. I am committed to its advancement and evolution. Serving on the Irrigation Association Board allows me to leverage my extensive professional experience for the greater good of our industry.

I see this opportunity not only as a chance to contribute meaningfully but also to ensure that our industry continues to progress and thrive. By actively engaging with the IA Board, I aim to advocate for innovative solutions, foster collaboration, and drive initiatives that will benefit both industry stakeholders and the environment alike.”