Principles
Drue P. Brown, of Sacramento California, an accomplished agricultural economist, with 30 years of experience in the public and private sector, is the owner of AgCEL, a natural resource consulting and management company, established in 1994. The firm informs private and government clients on agricultural, environmental sustainability by providing specialized agricultural analytics, environmental, and water engineering services on a range of ecological conditions.
Before forming the firm, Mr. Brown appointed by Willie L Brown, Jr., Speaker of the California State Assembly, served in the Assembly’s Office of Research as a Principal Consultant on the policy areas of agriculture; the environment; and economic development. In this position, he consulted state, national, and world heads of state representing the Americas, Africa China, the Caribbean, and the New Soviet Republics. Further, he chaired Assembly Speaker Willie Brown’s ad hoc Advisory Committee on African Americans In Agriculture. Additionally, he has the distinction of twice being a Governor-appointed member to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and selected to sit in the environmental seat on the board.
Actively involved on a range of environmental, economic, and educational boards, as a founding member served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the California Capital Financial Development Corporation November 2019.
Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics; and a Master of Science Degree in International Agricultural Development, with emphasis on agricultural economics, from the University of California at Davis; He is a former Fellow of the prestigious California Agriculture Leadership Program, Class XXIII, served as a member of the Kellogg Foundation’s National Steering Committee on Food, Fibers, and the Future, and the Institute of the Americas, La Jolla California.
Samantha K. Henderson earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from UC Davis and an MBA from San Francisco State University with a concentration in finance. She has nearly 20 years of experience in commercial lending and portfolio management encompassing commercial real estate, commercial & industrial loans, agribusiness, and AG real estate transactions. Samantha has strong skillsets in financial modeling and financial analysis, developing and maintaining budgets, report writing, understanding and keeping up to date with the law and regulatory guidance as well as developing good working relationships with colleagues, partners, and clients. Samantha enjoys being involved in creative projects like producing independent films and other multimedia work.