John Farner serves as the industry development director for the Irrigation Association. With more than 15 years of experience in working with water, agricultural and landscape technologies and more than 20 years working in international government and public policy, Farner's expertise in government and public affairs is closely aligned with issues and technologies relating to water use in agricultural production and landscape management. After serving on staff for two members of Congress, the George W. Bush for President Campaign and as a special assistant to the United States Secretary of Commerce, Farner joined the IA in 2008 and currently oversees the advocacy and public affairs programs, focusing on water use technologies in agriculture, landscape, turfgrass and golf. He speaks regularly on issues such as drought, agricultural water use, water restrictions, agricultural productivity and groundwater/surface water use, as well as irrigation technologies, trends and best management practices for irrigation technology application and adoption.

As vice president of global technology strategy, Trevor Mecham leads Valley Irrigation technology strategy, assuring growers continue receiving innovative solutions and a strong ROI. Mecham brings a wealth of vision and experience in the ag tech space, including leadership positions at Leica Geosystems, Hortau, Uptake and CNH Industrial. He helped to develop advancements at Leica Geosystems, John Deere/Gem Equipment Inc. and Novariant (Integrinautics). Mecham has also earned his bachelor's in business marketing and worked on his family's 4,000-acre farm.