Our Team
The San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA) is an organization of the Valley’s manufacturing leaders working together to advance their industry and create a world-class workforce at the local level
Our Board
The SJVMA Board is comprised of industry leaders who volunteer their time and service to the Alliance. Members are recruited by the existing board and asked to serve a minimum two-year term. Our goals are achieved by full board participation, leveraging the time and talent of our SJVMA membership and staff.
Mario Persicone
SJVMA Board Chair
Director of Operations,
PNM Company
Mike Betts
CEO,
Betts Company
Troy Brandt
General Manager,
Closets By Design
Ron Heskett
President,
BORGA Steel Buildings and Components
Bruce Ketch
General Manager,
United Western Industries
Liz McIlvaine
President/CEO,
Total Concept Enterprises,
Susan Moore
President and Owner,
Dumont Printing
Vernice Nellon
Owner,
Kool Breeze Solar Hats
Nick Tosi
Manager & Partner,
Brunos Iron and Metal L.P.
Brett Zall
Vice President, Human Resources,
Fowler Packing
Our Staff
Genelle Taylor Kumpe
Chief Executive Officer
Genelle Taylor Kumpe has devoted her career to issues that transform our community, empower others and advocate for women and children. Her background in education, entrepreneurship and community service made her uniquely qualified to serve as CEO of the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA). Success requires collaborating with private enterprise, government and education sectors to build a world-class workforce and spur regional economic development.
Genelle previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Fresno City College teaching today’s pipeline of workforce about the necessary employability/life skills to be a valuable resource in this changing world. She transitioned to City College after spending three years as the Executive Director of the Marjaree Mason Center, Fresno County’s resource for shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. Genelle’s dedicated and innovative work in this role earned state-wide recognition, receiving the Breakthrough Leader Award from the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
Prior to joining the Marjaree Mason Center, Genelle served as the Associate Director of the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for 10 of the 15 years of her tenure at California State University, Fresno. She led more than a dozen programs that promoted innovation and entrepreneurship nationally and internationally, that have been replicated in other regions.
Genelle received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno and is a certified entrepreneurship teacher via the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. She is a founding member of the La Visionaria Guild and current member in the La Feliz Guild; non-profit organizations whose mission is to engage in creative and innovative ways to raise funds, advocate for children, and promote goodwill for Valley Children’s Hospital.
Genelle has also served on the California’s State Leadership Team for the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and as President and member of the Made for Them Board of Directors, a social enterprise combatting human trafficking. Genelle’s tenacity for doing her best earned her the title of 2018 Woman of the Year with Central California’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, breaking the record for raising the most funds for our local chapter. Throughout her career, she has opened and partnered in three businesses; balancing life as a wife to Matt, career mom to Aiden and Ava, and entrepreneur at heart.
Tara Kaitfors
Tara’s diverse skills include a strength and passion in building community relationships. Working in post-secondary education for over 10 years as well as the K-12 sector for 7 years has allowed her to gain an understanding of the institutional, community and employers point of view. Her knowledge of Career Technical Education and the impact of connecting industry into the classroom has created an increased awareness of career opportunities for students and aided in building the talent pipeline for various industry sectors.
Tara’s role as Fresno Unified School District’s Business Engagement Coordinator led to increased work-based learning experiences and built an extensive Career Technical Education District Advisory Committee, including 6 industry specific subcommittees connecting teachers and students to the valuable and relevant needs of the community. This work has led to speaking at Educating for Careers and Linked Learning Conferences to share best practices on increasing industry involvement in education.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and a Master of Science degree in Higher Education. Additionally, she has her certification as a Linked Learning Coach and received the Junior Achievement Educator of the Year award in 2021. Tara is actively involved in community groups such as Rotary Fresno, Chamber of Commerce, Fresno Women’s Network, Valley Children’s Safe Kids Coalition, Fresno County Health Improvement Partnership and recently accepted into Leadership Fresno. She also assists with several community benefit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Marjaree Mason Center, CASA Foster Youth, Reading Heart, NAMI Fresno, March of Dimes and Martin Park. Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, Josh, and kids, Logan, Caitlyn, and Jaydn.
Join Our Team
Current opportunities to join the SJVMA team are listed below.
To learn more about an open position, click on the job title link. As part of the application process, you may be required to attach your resume or additional information.
- Please check back for open positions