SACRAMENTO (TIP): Indian American farmer Tejpal “Jay” Mahil has been named to the Fresno State University Advisory Board, a panel of community members who provide advice on improvement and development of the University.

Mahil is a partner in a family farming operation, Creekside Land Company LLC. He was the first in his family to attend college and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Fresno State in 1999.

“Jay is an outstanding example of a Fresno State alumnus who is active in his community and the agricultural industry,” Castro said, in a statement. “His Central Valley experience and unique professional insights will be of great value to the advisory board as we work together to serve the University.”

Mahil is a fourth-generation farmer and the first generation of his family to be born in the United States. His great grandfather emigrated from Punjab, India, in 1906.

Mahil is president of the Madera County Farm Bureau, a board member of the San Joaquin Valley Winegrower Association and a member of the Madera Sunrise Rotary.