Who We Are Is How We Grow

Our story is told in streets, parks, plazas, and quiet moments that only careful planning makes possible. It’s a legacy’s promise.

From Farmland to Foundation

What started in the soil with Bolthouse Farms now extends into streets, shops, and neighborhoods through Bolthouse Properties. Every acre we steward is guided by values deeper than profit: integrity, humility, compassion, and the promise of long-term good.

On the edge of California’s Central Valley, where acres of farmland once stretched unbroken toward the horizon, a quiet but deliberate transformation is taking place. Office parks. Residential neighborhoods. Charming shops. These aren’t the impersonal products of runaway development. They’re planned with a precision and patience born from generations of working the land. And they all bear the imprint of a name long synonymous with Kern County: Bolthouse.

Founded in 2005, Bolthouse Properties is the modern inheritor of a story that began in 1915, when Bolthouse Farms was first established. For decades, the Bolthouse family cultivated thousands of acres in Michigan before moving operations to Bakersfield in the 1970s. Known for carrots, yes, but also for a deeper kind of investment: one rooted in stewardship, ethics, and an unwavering commitment to community.

Today, that same ethos carries forward into real estate and land development. Bolthouse Properties is no ordinary master planner. Our work spans farmland holdings, commercial retail, office space, and large-scale master-planned communities. But our mission is quietly profound: to bring honor and glory to the Lord through business, relationships, and planning that reflect integrity, humility, and compassion.

“In twenty years from now, I just hope that people will say that it’s been a blessing we came to Bakersfield. That we blessed them, but they really blessed us more.”

William Bolthouse

Chairman of the Board, Bolthouse Properties

Former President Bolthouse Farms

Built With a Longer View

A philosophy grounded in stewardship, integration, and community.

Our approach to community is all about staying power. Three principles guide everything we plan:

Patience in Stewardship

We move carefully, investing only in projects that promise long-term value for generations to come.

Integration by Design

Neighborhoods, offices, retail, and open spaces are planned together, creating cohesion rather than fragmentation.

Community as Anchor

Every space is designed to serve as a point of connection, where people live, gather, and grow with trust in what endures.

The Ground We Stand On

Values that shape how we live and work, values that shape the land.

Humility

Reminds us that our role is one of stewardship, not ownership. Each project is part of a larger community story, and we enter each story with respect.

Integrity

Ensures that promises made are kept, whether to a neighbor, a tenant, or the generations who will inherit these places.

Responsibility

Drives us to balance growth with care, knowing that how we plan today defines what endures tomorrow.

Tolerance

Guides us toward inclusion, creating space where differences meet not with division, but with dignity.

The Roots Still Run Deep

Agriculture as the first and lasting measure of stewardship.

For Bolthouse Properties, every blueprint begins in the soil. The family’s century-long legacy in farming shaped a discipline of patience and care that still defines our work today. Many thousands of acres of farmland remain under our stewardship, a living reminder that growth must be balanced with guardianship. Just as crops are cultivated for seasons yet to come, our neighborhoods, workplaces, and gathering spaces are planned with the same long horizon in mind.

We Know the Terrain

And not just the land — the people, the culture, the history.

The Central Valley is a complex place to steward growth. We’ve been doing it for decades. Our team brings a rare combination of operational insight, local fluency, and generational commitment. We navigate the nuances, anticipate changes, and lead with a steady hand.

Anthony L. Leggio

President

Tony has worked with the Bolthouse family for over 40 years. He has been involved in the real estate development business his entire life as an attorney and as an active owner and investor.

Prior to becoming President of Bolthouse Properties, Tony was managing partner of the law firm of Clifford & Brown and served as outside general counsel for Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc. In July of 2001, Tony joined Wm. Bolthouse Farms full-time as Vice President and General Counsel, while also assuming the responsibility of managing the Bolthouse Family Office. On January 1, 2006, following the sale of Wm. Bolthouse Farms, he became President of Bolthouse Properties. He has also been actively involved in financial and investment management. He serves as a board member and trustee for several public and private companies.

Tony graduated from University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts and from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific with a Juris Doctor. Tony and his wife, Dayna, have two adult sons.

Bruce B. Davis

Executive Vice President

Bruce returned to Bakersfield to join Bolthouse Properties as Vice President. He relocated from Beijing, China, where he was the project director managing the turnkey development of the Nicklaus Club Beijing. He is responsible for the continuing to grow the value of Bolthouse Properties’ real estate investments.

Bruce has 30 years of experience in the development and construction industry experience, which began with an emphasis in homebuilding within master-planned communities in California. For seven years, he was Senior Vice President at Castle & Cooke responsible for the company’s mainland development operations. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Development for the Nicklaus Companies, facilitating the development of high-end master-planned golf and real estate developments in strategic locations internationally.

Bruce is a California native and graduated from the University of La Verne with a degree in Business and Economics. Bruce and his wife, Nayree, have two adult sons.

Bret M. Nielsen

Chief Operating Officer

Bret serves as Chief Operating Officer of Bolthouse Properties and is responsible for the long-term strategic growth of the company, including the oversight of all property development, operations, leasing and the overall financial reporting of the company.

Prior to joining Bolthouse Properties, Bret was Chief Operating Officer of Anderson Real Estate, a private, family-owned real estate development and management company with nationwide assets. Prior to Anderson, Bret was Senior Vice President of Leasing and Asset Management at Caruso, one of the largest privately held development companies in the country. During his 25-year tenure at Caruso, he was active in the development, leasing and asset management of numerous projects including The Grove, Palisades Village, and The Promenade at Westlake. Prior to joining Caruso, Bret was a member of the prestigious Real Estate Advisory Services Group of Arthur Andersen.

Bret is a former Adjunct Professor at the Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California, has lectured at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, USC’s Gould School of Law as well as ICSC’s University of Shopping Centers at Wharton. Bret earned his bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development and master’s in Real Estate Development, both from the University of Southern California. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers. In his free time, Bret enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and enjoys all outdoor activities.

Brad Jantz

Vice President of Investments, Chief Investment Officer

Brad joined Bolthouse in 2021 as Vice President of Investments, Chief Investment Officer. He will be leading strategy for Bolthouse Investment’s client portfolios.

Brad has over 20 years of experience in investing capital at two family offices in Wichita, Kansas. Prior to joining Bolthouse, he was Sr. Investment Director at Berexco LLC where he managed the family’s investment portfolios across a wide range of asset classes, including publicly traded equities and bonds, venture capital, private equity, private debt, hedge funds, and real estate. Prior to Berexco, Brad was the President and Chief Investment Officer of Flagstone Investments where he managed the investment portfolio for the Coleman family and a select group of friends.

Brad holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a double major in Finance and Accounting from Emporia State University and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics from Wichita State University. He also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2003 and the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation in 2010. Brad and his wife Ronda have two children.

Daniel T. Clifford

Vice President, General Counsel

Dan joined Bolthouse Properties in 2019 as its Vice President and General Counsel, and serves as part of the company’s executive team participating and overseeing all aspects of the Company’s business.

Dan’s prior professional experience includes 17 years with the law firm of Clifford & Brown. Dan’s legal experience is broad based, having represented professionals, municipalities, transportation companies and agribusinesses throughout California. Prior to joining Clifford & Brown, Dan worked in sales and project management for Rain for Rent, a national water handling expert.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon and a juris doctorate from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Dan is a member of the Board of Directors for Bakersfield Memorial Hospital and Houchin Community Blood Bank. Dan and his wife Jennifer have three young children.

Brain Conner

Chief Financial Officer

Brian has over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management. His responsibilities include managing and investing company financial resources, accounting and financial reporting, and human resources and benefits.

Prior to joining Bolthouse Properties, Brian served as CFO at Lightspeed Systems and Jim Burke Ford in addition to working in local and national nonprofits. In addition, he spent 12 years with Bolthouse Farms in the Accounting department where he started his career.

Brian has a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield. He and his wife, Cari, have two children. Brian is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Jeff Eittreim

Senior Vice President, Properties

Jeff joined Bolthouse Properties in 2019 as the Assistant Vice President. His responsibilities include planning and oversight of enhancement and improvement activities.

Jeff has over 16 years of experience in residential development and homebuilding. As a Project Manager for Woodbridge Pacific Group, Jeff spent 10 years overseeing the construction of multiple residential housing neighborhoods and hundreds of homes throughout southern California. In 2013, Jeff and his family relocated to Bakersfield to open WPG’s central California division office and manage all development operations for the Belcourt Seven Oaks Master Planned Community.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego. He and his wife Lauren have twin boys and a daughter.

Bradford DeBranch

Asst. Vice President, Planning & Land Resources

Brad joined Bolthouse Properties in 2014, bringing experience in regional and urban planning to the company. As Assistant Vice President of Planning & Land Resources, he is responsible for the planning and entitlement of Bolthouse’s master plan projects. Brad is also responsible for the management of agricultural land holdings and natural resources.

Prior to joining Bolthouse Properties, Brad worked for several public agencies including his role as a regional planner for Kern Council of Governments, where he was involved with the completion of the Regional Transportation Plan. His experience includes land-use planning, environmental review and working with geographic information systems (GIS) to aid in geospatial data management.

Brad graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in City & Regional Planning. He is happily married to his wife, Katie.

Melinda Ameye

Accountant

Melinda joined Bolthouse Properties in 2023 as an Accountant and is responsible for multiple aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting.

Melinda has over 20 years of experience as a full-charge bookkeeper. Most recently, she worked for Woodbridge Pacific Group, handling all aspects of accounts payable for multiple housing development projects in Southern and Central California and Idaho.

Melinda has one adult son and one adult daughter and is blessed with six grandchildren.

Steven Boyd

Director of Accounting

Steven joined Bolthouse Properties in 2016, bringing over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance. He is responsible for developing financial models for real estate properties, preparation of financial statements, preparation of income tax and corporate reports and the budgeting process.

Steven began his career working on accounting teams assigned to the production of films. After six years in the motion picture industry he worked as a Controller for 13 years and as an Accounting Manager for two years. His industry experience includes residential and commercial construction, real estate and land development.

Steven graduated cum laude from Regent University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and from Grand Canyon University with a Master of Business Administration, where he was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta business honor society. Steven and his wife, Alicia, are the parents of three young daughters, two adult sons and two adult daughters.

Lauren Barber

Marketing/Administrative Assistant

Lauren joined Bolthouse Properties in 2023 as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for greeting guests and clients as well as assisting with administrative tasks and marketing projects.

Lauren is a lifelong resident of Bakersfield and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in General Business from California State University Bakersfield.

Melanie Bliss

Senior Accountant

Melanie joined Bolthouse Properties in 2024 as a Staff Accountant. She assists with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting responsibilities.

Melanie has five years of experience in the construction accounting industry. Most recently, she served as the accounting administrator for a local solar and electric company, and was responsible for all the
accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting for the organization.

Melanie graduated from California State University of Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

Austin Buck

Accounting Manager

Austin joined Bolthouse Properties in 2020, bringing experience in analyzing financial statements and creating tax documents. He is responsible for general accounting, bookkeeping, and the preparation of financial statements.

Austin began his career as a tax accountant at Daniells Phillips Vaughan & Bock where he prepared returns for partnerships, corporations, and non-profit organizations. During his time in public accounting, he also participated in tax-planning activities and client acquisition.

Austin graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Austin and his wife, Hailey, have one daughter and one son.

Brett Campbell

IT Manager/Facilities Project Manager

Michelle Campbell

Director of Operations & Client Services, Chief Compliance Officer

Michelle joined Bolthouse Properties in 2006 and has over 20 years of administrative and operational experience. Her responsibility is to support the Vice President of Investments and the Accounting Manager with the operations of the investment management subsidiary.

Michelle began her career working for a CPA firm in Visalia while attending school. Upon moving to Bakersfield in 1990, she began working for Lightspeed Systems and Lightspeed Net, assisting in the accounting department. She moved to the accounting department of Clifford & Brown and advanced to the position of Office Manager. She also provided accounting support for a local dairy.

Michelle and her husband, Brett, have two sons.

Joe Escalada

Senior Investment Analyst

Joe joined the investment management subsidiary of Bolthouse Properties in 2014, bringing expertise in fund manager selection and in fixed income investing. He assists the investment team in investment analysis, manager due diligence, performance monitoring, client reporting and compliance.

Prior to joining Bolthouse, Joe interned for the fixed income division of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) in Sacramento and at the Charles Schwab Center for Financial Research in San Francisco. He also has experience teaching coursework in mathematics and chemistry at the undergraduate level.

Joe graduated from California Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, from University of California, Berkeley with a Master of Science in Chemistry and University of California, Davis with a Master of Business Administration. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Joe and his wife, Danielle, have one daughter and one son.

Yvonne Edwards

Property Management Administrator

Yvonne joined Bolthouse Properties in September 2017, with 15 years of management experience. Her responsibility is to assist our Contract and Lease Administrator with commercial and land development projects.

Yvonne began her career as a Front Office Medical Assistant for Patrick Leung M.D in 2005. She later managed an Extra Space Storage where she oversaw cap ex projects, property repair, maintenance and leases.

Yvonne has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from University of Phoenix. She is mother to two young daughters and a high school age son.

Theresa Fernandez

Receptionist, Administrative Assistant

Theresa joined Bolthouse Properties in 2025 and brings over 25 years of experience in administrative and customer service roles, including front office management. She is responsible for welcoming guests and clients, as well as assisting with various administrative tasks.

After moving to Bakersfield in 2006, Theresa began working for Rain for Rent as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant, taking on multiple roles within the company.

Theresa and her husband, Jose, have three adult sons and one daughter and are blessed with seven wonderful grandkids.

Shaun Harris

Property Accountant

Shaun Harris joined Bolthouse Properties in 2021 as a Property Accountant, bringing over 14 years of experience in billing, financial reporting, and customer service. He is responsible for tenant billing, financial reporting, and lease administration for our commercial properties.

Shaun began his career as a golf course accountant at Castle & Cooke, where he handled billing and financial reporting for three separate golf courses. Other duties included performing member adjustments and coordinating system upgrades.

Shaun graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Shaun and his wife, Caryn, have three daughters.

Julie Henderson

Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

Julie has over 30 years of experience as a legal assistant. She is responsible for providing administrative support to the senior officers.

Julie began her law career in 1972 at a law firm in her hometown of Delano, California. Upon moving to Bakersfield in 1974, she worked for the law firm of Rudnick & Arrache. In 1982, she started a 21-year working relationship with Kenneth W. Kind, Attorney at Law, specializing in contract and real estate law.

Julie and her husband, Bill, have five adult children.

Kari Jones

Senior Accountant

Kari has worked for Bolthouse Properties and its investment management subsidiary since 2005. She has over 20 years of administrative, operational, and accounting experience in the investment management industry. Her responsibilities include partnership and client accounting, in addition to providing support for the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Investments and the Accounting Manager.

Kari began her career as the Office Manager for a small investment firm in Tustin, California. She relocated to Spokane, Washington and continued her work in the industry providing bookkeeping and operational support for a wealth management company in Newport Beach, California.

Kari has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois. She and her husband, Ben, have two sons.

Lisa Kemph

Senior Accountant

Lisa joined Bolthouse Investments in 2024 to support both our accounting and investment teams. Lisa comes to us with over 30 years of unique and varied business experience. Prior to joining Bolthouse Investments, Lisa was the Director of Finance and HR at Hillsboro Industries, where she managed the company’s finance, accounting, and human resources functions. She also spent nine years at Koch Industries, within the petrochemical division of Flint Hills Industries and its global commodity fertilizer distribution division, Koch Fertilizer (now KAES).

Additionally, Lisa has spent 15 years in investment management roles, most recently as the Operations Manager with Flagstone Investments and formerly as an Investment Advisor with Merrill Lynch and Stifel Nicolaus, all in Wichita, KS.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Wichita State University. She and her husband Bill have two children and eight grandchildren.

Kathryn McNeill

Director of Engineering

Kath joined Bolthouse Properties in 2009, bringing over 20 years of experience in the Bakersfield land development industry to the company. She is responsible for civil site design, project management and inspection of improvement projects.

Kath previously worked for over four years as Director of Engineering at Castle & Cooke, where she coordinated with civil, surveying and planning consultants for the design, development and construction of both residential and commercial projects. She began her career in Bakersfield in 1989 with DeWalt Corporation, working on residential and commercial development projects. During her 15 years at DeWalt, she continued to advance and took on increasing responsibilities as Project Manager, Project Engineer, Director of Engineering and Vice President.

Kath graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Civil Engineering and is licensed as both a Civil Engineer and a Professional Land Surveyor in California.

Sandra Nemback

Project Accountant

Sandra joined Bolthouse Properties in 2020, bringing over eight years of experience in budgets and project management. She is responsible for project budgets and contract administration.

Sandra began her career as a Project Assistant for a large solar preservation project. In 2014, she joined a major real estate development company as a Project and Budget Coordinator and advanced to the position of Sr. Contract and Budget Coordinator. Her role included the budget management of large-scale projects.

Sandra and her husband, Mark, are the parents of three sons and one daughter.

Alex Pimienta

Director of Development

Alex Pimienta joined Bolthouse Properties in 2023, bringing over 10 years of experience in commercial construction, industrial construction, construction management and project leadership. As Director of Development, his responsibilities include implementing preconstruction, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases of development projects, with an emphasis on establishing and maintaining client and contractor relationships.

After graduating from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, Alex’s career in general construction began in the Napa Valley as a Project Engineer. Alex and his family moved back to Bakersfield where he had the pleasure of working for a local General Contractor as a Project manager, where he managed multiple commercial and industrial projects.

Alex and his wife, Abygail, have one son and one daughter.

Erin Tenter

Director of Marketing & Communications

Erin joined the Bolthouse Properties team in 2015 and is responsible for the organization’s marketing activities, including the design and implementation of marketing strategies to create awareness of the company’s business activities.

Erin started her career in 2005 at Castle & Cooke and has gained over 15 years of experience working for construction and community development businesses.

Erin studied Media Communications at Point Loma Nazarene University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 2004. She is also a 2022 graduate of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber’s Leadership Bakersfield program. Erin and her husband, Jason, are the proud parents of two daughters.

Nancy Vogel

Executive Assistant

Nancy joined Bolthouse Properties in 2013, bringing thirteen years of experience as a legal assistant. She is responsible for assisting the President and Vice President of Development with land development projects, contracts, sales, coordinating with attorneys, brokers and other professionals on their behalf, scheduling and calendaring key transaction dates and providing other administrative support as needed.

Nancy previously worked for Frank J. Cicone Law Corporation, specializing in the areas of business and estate planning.

Nancy graduated from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo with a degree in Crop Science. Nancy and her husband, Keith, are parents of three adult sons.

Mary Whitener

Operations Specialist

Mary Whitener joined the investments management subsidiary of Bolthouse Properties in 2023 as an Operation Specialist. Mary assists the team with operations, client reporting, and special projects.

Mary has 5 years of experience in the commercial banking industry working both as a Personal Banker and Financial Services Manager.

Derek Yurosek

Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Derek joined Bolthouse Properties with more than 20 years of experience in agricultural economics and business management. As Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, he is responsible for the management of agricultural holdings and natural resources as well as coordinating other real estate assets.

Prior to joining Bolthouse Properties, Derek served as the Head of Agriculture for BMGI Group in Kirkland, Washington, where he was responsible for a portfolio of agricultural assets that included 150,000 acres of land and vertically integrated farming and food processing businesses. He was previously the Vice President of Agricultural Operations at Wm. Bolthouse Farms, a position he held for 14 years.

Derek graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration in Agricultural Business and Economics. He and his wife, Kellie, have five children.

In a region posed for expansion, how we grow matters. At Bolthouse Properties, we plan deliberately, balancing present needs with long-term outcomes. From infrastructure to open space, we consider every detail, every impact. Our developments are designed to serve not just this generation, but the next. We do more than add value, we add meaning.

Time as Our Measure

Each generation adds its chapter, guided by values stretching back over a century.

1915

Bolthouse founded a family farming operation in Michigan. Rooted in duty, responsibility, and integrity, the farm grew steadily and built a reputation as much for how it operated as for what it produced.

1950s – 1970s

The Bolthouse family expanded west, moving farming and processing operations to California’s Central Valley. Generations of leadership transformed the company into one of the largest carrot producers in the world.

2005

The family sold the carrot and juice processing operations to a private equity firm but retained ownership of many thousands of acres of farmland in Kern County. Out of this legacy, Bolthouse Properties was formed, dedicated to agricultural stewardship, office real estate, and long-term investment.

Today

Bolthouse Properties carries forward a tradition more than a century in the making. With holdings that span agriculture, retail, office, and master-planned communities, the company remains guided by the same principles of integrity and responsibility that shaped its beginnings.

Steady Hands, Lasting Impact

Leadership that looks beyond today.

At Bolthouse Properties, leadership is defined less by speed and scale as it is by care. We weigh every decision by how it serves the community, which means putting people and place at the center of every decision. It’s a quieter kind of leadership, one that carries forward across generations.

In Memoriam

Stephan John DeBranch

Senior Vice President of Development, 2005-2015

In November, 2015, Steve DeBranch, Bolthouse Properties, LLC’s Senior Vice-President of Development, returned home to his Heavenly Father after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A visionary land developer, Steve was one of the original three employees of Bolthouse Properties, LLC, and an inherent part of the fabric of Bolthouse Properties, LLC. Through his intellect, leadership and foresight he was instrumental in shaping who we are today and who we will be well into the future.