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*New Director Spotlight*

Leonel Jimenez

My name is Leonel Jimenez, and I am the Area Director for the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties.
I am a first-generation American of Mexican descent and a direct product of my community, having been born and raised in Reedley, CA, a small town southeast of Fresno. This is where my exposure to agriculture began, as my parents worked tirelessly at various jobs to provide for my three siblings and me, ensuring we had a roof over our heads, food, and clothes. Their main source of income came from working at local packing houses and out in the fields. Watching them work hard every day motivated me to excel in school to thank them for giving me an opportunity to thrive. With the support of God and my parents, I knew I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to.
After graduating from Reedley High School, I immediately began taking courses at Reedley College that summer. It was there that I became inspired to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, thanks to Professor Jan Dekker, who sparked my love for physical sciences. Soon after, I transferred to UC Santa Barbara to pursue a B.A. in Chemistry. The path I chose was not easy, but challenges have always inspired me. I wanted to fulfill the dream my parents had when they came to this country…to give us a better life. Being the first in my family to earn a degree was a monumental achievement, and my parents were extremely happy.
My journey didn’t stop there. I moved to Los Angeles and began working for Siemens as a bench-top chemist. That job quickly taught me that I needed to attend graduate school. Working the swing shift allowed me to enroll at California State University, Northridge, where I obtained my M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry. I worked alongside Dr. Yann Schrodi, and over the next two years, I developed a new catalyst molecule, which led to published research and conference presentations.
Opportunities continued to grow, eventually bringing me back to the Central Valley, where I have lived for the past 16 years. I began teaching Chemistry at College of the Sequoias, Reedley College, and through the Upward Bound Math & Science program, while also working for the USDA-ARS in Parlier, CA, under Dr. Spencer Walse. Teaching at local colleges lasted over five years, while my post-harvest fumigation research at USDA-ARS spanned a similar timeframe. This experience even took me to Santiago, Chile, where I lived for nine months, expanding my research and global exposure.
I then transitioned to the private sector, joining Horn Technologies and Services, a post-harvest fumigation service provider. Initially, I served as Operations Manager, but within two years, I was promoted to General Manager, tasked with expanding operations. By the time I moved to UCCE, the company had expanded into California, Kansas, and Texas.
With faith, persistence, and a strong work ethic I am honored to lead the UCCE in Kings, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

Tulare County Agricultural Building