1785 N. Fine Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
P: (559)455-9272 F: (559)251-4471
www.agprocessors.org
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
The Western Agricultural Processors Association represents almond hullers and processors, walnut hullers,
dehydrators and processors, pecan hullers and processors and pistachio processors. WAPA’s primary
purpose is to provide representation on regulatory and legislative issues facing the tree nut hulling and
processing industry, such as air quality, food safety, pesticides, transportation, worker safety, environmental,
water quality, labor, and water quantity. WAPA also provides air quality, environmental and safety services to
agricultural processing facilities throughout California and Arizona on a consulting basis. Such facilities include
cotton gins, cotton warehouses, food processors, vegetable dehydration plants, and packing houses.
Air Pollution
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Obtain air pollution permits, including new processing facilities and/or expansions and modifications,
fumigation permits, and emission reduction credit banking applications
Arrange and coordinate emissions source tests with certified independent source test contractor and air
district
Provide testimony and comments at local, state and federal levels on rules, regulations and plans
affecting tree nut hulling and processing operations
Assist in incentive funding applications
Provide compliance assistance information on all rules applicable to tree nut operations, including
ARB’s forklift rule, truck rule and upcoming farm equipment rule
Negotiate settlements on Notices of Violation
Environmental
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Review and hazardous materials business plans.
Assist facilities in complying with DHS Anti-terrorism standards
Prepare and develop SPCC plans
Drinking Water Systems
Conditional Use Permits
Safety
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Annual inspection and walk-through of hullers and processors to identify problem areas and ensure
compliance (air pollution permit, fumigation permit, recordkeeping, hazardous materials business plan).
Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) review and update. Includes review of all programs in
conjunction with walkthrough.
Orientation and General Training at start of season. Training will include IIPP, Hazard Communication,
Emergency Action Plan, Fire Prevention Plan, Lockout/tagout, PPE, Company work rules and Code of
Safe Practices.
Inspection and Program review of all program and plans to ensure that all safety procedures are being
implemented and adhered to current state and federal standards.
Cal/OSHA Appeals Board Representation
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Hearings Representation
Assist in Cal/OSHA Appeals Cases
Provide annual safety training for supervisors and employees
Provide safety materials to hullers and processors
Taxes
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Provide guidance on tax regulations, including sales tax exemptions.
Provide guidance on fuel tax regulations
Work with Board of Equalization on tax issues
Transportation
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Work with CHP and DMV on registration and licensing issues
Work with CHP and DOT on operational regulations, including weight, length and height restrictions
Develop and implement DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
Labor
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Provide labor regulation assistance on issues such as, overtime, I-9s, meal periods, rest periods, etc.
Members will be covered by labor partnership agreement with The Saqui Law Group
Annual labor seminar on latest issues
Energy
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Representation on energy issues
Provide testimony before the California Public Utilities Commission
Representation on the Ag Energy Consumers Association
Representation on the Executive Committee of the AECA
Annual briefings on Energy Issues
Water Quality
 Representation on water quality issues, including irrigated lands program
 Provide testimony and comments before the SWRCB and RWQCB
 Assistance with processors on WDR permits
 Participation in CV-Salts
Legislative
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Representation on state and federal legislative issues
Participate in annual Agricultural Legislative Dinner
Conduct Annual Regulatory/Legislative Trip to Sacramento
Conduct tour of member facilities for urban legislators
Conduct annual state legislative and regulatory briefings
Political Action Committees
WESTERN AGRICULTURAL PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION STAFF
Roger A. Isom, President/CEO
Roger brings over 20 years of environmental and safety experience to WAPA. Since 1992, Roger has worked
for the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations and now WAPA. Roger now oversees and
manages the operations including the business and financial aspects of the Associations. His responsibilities
also include the Association’s legislative issues and regulatory issues covering environmental, safety,
pesticide, energy, labor, and transportation matters. He coordinates regulatory and legislative review and
compliance programs for membership and works with local, state and federal agencies on these issues. Roger
is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is a Registered
Environmental Assessor in the State of California, and has an EIT Certificate from the State of California.
Roger is also a member of the Air and Waste Management Association, American Society of Agricultural
Engineers, and the National Fire Protection Association.
Elda Brueggemann, Director of Environmental and Safety Services
Elda has 20 years of safety and environmental experience in the cotton ginning, warehouse and vegetable oil
mill industry to bring to WAPA. Elda is responsible for providing environmental and safety services to
members of WAPA, as well as contract services to cotton gins, cotton warehouses, food processing plants,
packing houses and farms. She prepares and conducts safety training classes such as Train-the-Trainer
programs for Forklift Training and Tractor Training, Fall Protection and Heat Illness Prevention Program. Elda
also conducts environmental and safety, and prepares written safety programs such as Injury and Illness
Prevention Plans, Personal Protective Equipment, Lockout, Fire Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hot Work
Activities and Emergency Action Plans. Elda is experienced in preparing Air Pollution Permits and
environmental reports such as Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Control Plans (SPCC), Hazardous
Materials Business Plans and Closure Plans and Process Safety Management programs. She also
coordinates Drinking Water Systems and Pressure Vessel permits. Elda conducts accident investigations, and
has managed Workers Compensation claims. Elda is a member to the Central California Safety Council, and
has completed the Principles of Safety Management program. Also, she is actively involved in AgSafe
completing the Safety Certificate Program in 2005.
Christopher McGlothlin, Director of Technical Services
Christopher joined the Association in 2014. A 2012 graduate of Fresno State in Political Science, and past
intern for Congressman Devin Nunes, Chris is responsible for several technical issues including water quality,
greenhouse gas and air quality issues and spill prevention control and countermeasure plans. Chris helps
cover legislative issues and membership development.
Irma Ramirez, Safety Assistant
Irma joined the Association in 2011 and is responsible for safety issues, including conducting safety and first
aid/CPR training. Irma is a 2013 graduate of Fresno State in Ag Communications. Irma also assists Elda on
development of safety plans and programs and conducting safety audits of our members and clients. Irma is
actively involved in AgSafe having completed the Ag Safety Certificate Program in 2013, and now conducts
first aid/CPR training for the Association as well as AgSafe.