Conference Agenda

CBDL Conference Logo

2025 CBDL Conference
& Annual Meeting

November 13th, 2025

Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA

Fellow leaders, advocates, and stakeholders convened to shape the future of the Columbia Basin Project. The Columbia Basin Development League (CBDL) welcomed all to the 2025 Annual Meeting—a vital forum for updates, dialogue, and collaboration.

2025 Conference Agenda

  • 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
    Coffee & Connections: Building Big Ideas Together – Exhibit Hall Open
  • 8:45 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
    Welcome & Opening Remarks: “Honoring the Visionaries Who Built the Basin”

    • Erik the Peanut Guy from the Tri-City Dust Devils
    • Jon Erickson, Chairman – Columbia Basin Development League
  • 9:05 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
    “Growing What Feeds Us: State of Agriculture in Washington”

    • Derek Sandison, Director - WA State Department of Agriculture
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
    “Building on Success: Legislative Wins and What’s Next for the Basin”

    • WA Representative Tom Dent
    • WA Representative Mary Dye
    • WA Senator Mark Schoesler
    • WA Senator Judy Warnick
  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
    "Municipal Perspectives"

    • Shawn Logan, Mayor, City of Othello
  • 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
    Networking Break: Conversations that Build Connections – Exhibit Hall Open
  • 10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
    “Reclamation in Action: The Bureau’s Role in Building Big Things”

    • Roland Springer, Acting Regional Director - Bureau of Reclamation
  • 10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
    “A View From the Canal: An Interactive Panel Discussion”

    • Marc Maynard, Ephrata Office Manager - Bureau of Reclamation
    • John O’Callaghan, Manager - South Columbia Basin Irrigation District (SCBID)
    • Craig Simpson, Manager - East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID)
    • Roger Sonnichsen, Manager - Quincy Irrigation District (QCBID)
  • 11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
    “Powering the Conversation: Northwest RiverPartners Update”

    • Clark Mather, Executive Director - Northwest RiverPartners
  • 11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
    “Lunch & Networking: Celebrating Builders, Dreamers, & Doers”

    • Invocation by David Dormier, Vice Chair – Columbia Basin Development League
  • 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
    “Annual Meeting & Trustee Awards: Recognizing Those Who Build the Future”
  • 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    “Tribal Perspectives”

    • Cody Desautel, Tribe Representative, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
  • 1:00 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.
    “Sustainable Water, Shared Vision: Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition Update”

    • Dr. Sasha McLarty, Professor - WSU Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
    • Kristina Ribellia, Executive Director - Columbia Basin Conservation District
  • 1:25 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
    “An Update from NRCS Leadership” 

    • Roylene Comes at Night, WA State Conservationist – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • 1:35 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
    “Just Add Water: A Vision for the Future” 

    • Harold Crose, Resources Conservationist - Columbia Basin Conservation District
  • 1:50 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
    “Office of Columbia River: Innovation in Water Management”

    • Larry Mattson, Director - Office of Columbia River
  • 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
    “The State of the OGWRP: Turning Vision into Vital Infrastructure”

    • Jon Erickson, ECBID Development Coordinator
    • Kristina Ribellia, Executive Director - Columbia Basin Conservation District
    • OGWRP Landowners
  • 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
    Networking Break: Building Relationships that Last – Exhibit Hall Open
  • 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. “Cultivating Growth: Washington State Potato Commission Update”
    • Chris Voigt, Executive Director - WA State Potato Commission
  • 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
    “Funding the Future: State and Federal Strategies for Building Big Things”

    • Tony Bean, Executive Director - Pullman Moscow Regional Airport
  • 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
    “Powering Progress: The 5th Congressional District’s Role in the Basin’s Future”

    • Congressman Michael Baumgartner
    • Chelsea Martin, Chair of Congressman Baumgartner’s Infrastructure & Energy Advisory Committee
  • 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    “Reflections in Legacy: Honoring Alice Parker and the Builders of the Basin”

    • Dan Keppen, Retired Executive Director – Family Farm Alliance (video)
    • Alice Parker, Clark Kagele, Dale Pomeroy, and others – sharing stories and memories.
  • 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    “Post-Conference Social: Raising a Toast to Big Ideas and Bigger Futures”

    • With great company, good food and live entertainment
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