Andrew Miller

Board President at Viva Farms, Attorney

A Skagit Valley native and Mount Vernon High School grad, Andrew has a Juris Doctorate from the Seattle University School of Law, an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University, a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the National Defense University Joint Staff College.

After a career in the Air Force as an intelligence officer, followed by high-profile management stints at Expedia, Weyerhaeuser, and Amazon, Andrew knew it was time to return to his roots and get back to the Valley and raise his family. Andrew’s background and experience in law, business and strategy made him a natural fit for the reconfigured Economic Development Association of Skagit County as the Director of Business Retention and Expansion. There he championed the Economic Industry Cluster program in partnership with local chambers of commerce, governments, schools, businesses, and non-profits to shape strategies and spark synergies across 14 industry clusters.

Ada Snyder

High Mowing Seeds Regional Sales Representative Northwestern U.S. & Western Canada

Ada Snyder has been a leader in the organic seed community for over 14 years, working in sales and in the field with a focus on regionally-adapted seed breeding for organic systems. She enjoys visiting farms, meeting with growers and learning their farming systems to help find varieties that thrive in their unique conditions. 

Ada was born and raised in Skagit Valley. She has been a lifelong Skagit YMCA member and has been a yoga and cycling instructor there for over 10 years, supporting their positive mission to strengthen community by empowering the mind body and spirit of all. Ada and her husband welcomed their second child in July of 2019 and are enjoying their new adventures as a family of four.

Mauricio Soto

Arado Farm Owner and Operator

Mauricio has been farming his whole life, beginning in his home of Nayarit, Mexico. Since coming to the U.S., he has worked as a farm-worker, crew boss, and farm manager in California and in the Skagit Valley. He is considered a pruning expert around the valley. Mauricio was also Farm Manager at Viva Farms for several years before deciding to go full-time on his farm, Arado Farms with his wife, Senaida. They specialize in raspberries and strawberries.  

Daniel Valdez

Fuerza Consulting Solutions Consultant

Daniel Valdez grew up in the Skagit valley and comes from a farmworker family. He brings over 15 years of government and the private sector experience in the H-2 Visa programs and labor sector. Daniel managed the Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program (MSFW) and the H-2A and H-2B programs for Washington State Employment Security Department. He also worked in the private sector consulting and helping manage an H-2A program in Eastern WA.

As a subject matter expert in the H-2 programs, and labor specialist, he brings his knowledge and experience to help Viva farms staff and farmers with labor advice, economic development, and government relations, programs and services. He is also part of the Equity and Justice Committee at Viva Farms.  He utilizes his experience to advise and steer decisions of the committee.