FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 8, 2004
Contact: Tom Uribes (559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

CIT Director Zoldoske Elected to Head
an International Irrigation Trade Association

 David Zoldoske, director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, was elected president of the Irrigation Association, an international trade organization that promotes water conservation and efficient water use.

Zoldoske, who joined the Fresno State in 1983, officially assumed leadership of the association on Nov. 15.

He is the first academic professional to serve as president of the association, which is an international nonprofit organization that promotes modern water preservation through efficient irrigation and water management skills and techniques for irrigated agriculture, turf, landscape and golf.

Zoldoske has nearly 20 years of involvement with the association, serving in several leadership positions. 

“I want to make sure the Irrigation Association is proactive as it continues to redefine itself to meet the challenges of the century — focusing on water availability, water quality and energy usage,” said Zoldoske.

Since 1949, Irrigation Association members have led the advance in water-use efficiencies to create smarter solutions for agricultural, residential and commercial landscape irrigation, he said.

The association is comprised of industry professionals from both public and private sectors — researchers, technicians, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, system designers, consultants, installers, and contractors.

“They are all dedicated to developing the irrigation industry and effectively utilizing our most vital resource,” Zoldoske said.

As director of Fresno State’s CIT, Zoldoske oversees all aspects of the center, administering a $6 million budget and program of advancing water/energy management practices and efficient irrigation technology. 

CIT functions as an independent testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource to both the public and private sectors. CIT is dedicated to advancing water and energy management practices and efficient irrigation technology.

Zoldoske also serves as the associate director of the California Water Institute and the director for the International Center for Water Technology both housed at Fresno State.

The Institute was established under Proposition 13 to serve as a clearinghouse for water policy and to help increase awareness of water issues. The ICWT works directly with private sector water technology companies toward the goal of creating a $30 million technology center on campus.

Zoldoske holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne, a master’s of science degree in Agriculture and a bachelor’s of science degree in Agricultural Business from Fresno State. He also has received several honors and recognition for service in the water and irrigation industries both here and abroad.

For more information, contact Zoldoske at (559) 278-2066 or Theresa Sebasto at 278-7808.

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