H2 Oregon Summit Materials
Thank you for joining us at the Salem Convention Center for a day of H2 and labor updates, breakout sessions, and networking!
Here, you will find the agenda, speaker bios, and supplementary resources to help you make the most of this informative event.
AGENDA | SPEAKER BIOS | SPONSORS
We’ll post all PowerPoint slides, handouts, and recordings from the general session here after the event. Keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll email you as soon as everything is ready!
Agenda
Morning General Session
8:30A – 8:45A
Enrique’s Insights: Reflecting on the Past Year and Shaping the Future
The past year was an emotional rollercoaster for the H-2A visa program. Looking ahead, WAFLA is expanding support for members by building stronger systems, leveraging shared knowledge, and fostering new partnerships. Today is about learning, connecting, and energizing our work with fresh ideas. Together, we’re shaping the future of seasonal labor—smarter and stronger than ever.
Speaker: Enrique Gastelum
8:45A – 9:35A
H-2A Legal Landscape: Changes & What’s Ahead
Explore significant changes to the H-2A program, including the interim final rule on wage rates, DHS’s streamlined filing process, and current legislative discussions. Gain timely insights into what these developments mean for agricultural employers.
Speakers: Leon Sequeira
9:35A – 9:55A
Breakout Sneak Peek: 2 Minutes to Decide
Kick off the Summit with energy! Each breakout presenter has just 2 minutes to pitch their session’s key takeaways, allowing you to plan your day strategically.
Moderator: Enrique Gastelum
9:55A – 10:30A
State of Immigration & the Future of E-Verify
Stay current on U.S. immigration policy and what it means for agriculture. Discover the latest updates on E-Verify today and explore potential changes tomorrow.
Leon Sequeira, Eamon Roach, Tim Bernasek
Breakout Session Round 1: 11:00A – 11:45A (Choose 1 of 2) 
Ag Labor Compliance 
Employee Relations 
H-2A Compliance
| Track | Session Title | Speakers |
| Ag Labor Compliance |
Mastering Ag Payroll: Accuracy, Compliance, Confidence
|
Lauren Russell, Enrique Gastelum |
| Employee Relations |
Nuts and Bolts of a Strong Job Description A clear, well-crafted job description is the foundation of effective hiring and management. Learn essential components—duties, qualifications, performance expectations—and walk away with practical tips for success. |
Ryan Kunkel |
12:00P – 1:00P | Lunch
State of WAFLA, Labor Policy, and Field to Future
Enjoy lunch while hearing updates on WAFLA’s health and direction, labor policy from state representatives, Panel of Jenny Dresler, Rep. Ricki Ruiz, Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, and a new nonprofit, Jeane DeLaney, Field to Future.
Breakout Session Round 2: 1:15P – 2:00P (Choose 1 of 2) Ag Labor Compliance Employee Relations H-2A Compliance
| Track | Session Title | Speakers |
| 🟨 H-2A Compliance |
Oregon OSHA Update: New Farmworker Housing Rules and What They Mean for You
|
Sherri Marks, Homero Saurez Cruz |
| 🟩 Ag Labor Compliance | Workers’ Comp: Claim Management and Cost Control Workers’ comp is a necessary cost of doing business—but it doesn’t have to break the bank. This session covers the requirements that every agricultural employer must know, along with proven strategies to keep costs under control while staying compliant. |
Gwen Perkinsl |
Breakout Session Round 3: 2:15P – 3:00P (Choose 1 of 2)
| Track | Session Title | Speakers |
| Ag Labor Compliance |
Wage & Hour in Agriculture: What’s Changing and Why It Matters
|
Ryan Kunkel |
| Employee Relations |
Clarity, Consistency, Compliance: The 3 C’s of Progressive Discipline Learn how to manage discipline and termination with confidence. Covers documentation, consistency, and compliance—plus tools, sample language, and real-world strategies to protect your business. |
Roxana Macias |
Late Afternoon General Session
3:15P – 4:00P
Quick Take: Navigating the New Labor Laws
Grab a beverage and join a fast-paced, interactive dive into the newest labor laws. We’ll break it down, test your knowledge, and send you home with a practical cheat-sheet booklet of must-know updates.
Ryan Kunkel, Lauren Russell, Roxana Macias
Closing Reception
4:00P – 4:45P
Networking Mixer
End the Summit with refreshments and connections—your last chance to meet vendors, speakers, and peers while exchanging ideas and building relationships.
Post-Summit Survey
Please take a moment to tell us about your experience at the Oregon H2 Summit. We’re always looking for ways to improve our events and educational offerings, and your feedback is valuable.
HR Certification
The Worker and Farmer Labor Association (WAFLA) is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits 8 (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
Please see Jean Maybin at registration for your certificate of completion after the conference.
Thank you, sponsors!
Harvest Tote
Compliance Companion
Labor Leader
Cultivating Connections
Workforce Partner
Exhibitors
Assured Partners of Washington
Field to Future
G&T Visa Inc./CSI Visa Processing
Ncubo Capital / Blxck Capital
REDDES
Government Exhibitors
BOLI Employer Assistance and Agricultural Compliance
Employer Compliance Unit for DCBS – Workers’ Compensation Division.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador
Office of Community Health and Engagement
Oregon Department of Revenue
Oregon Health Authority
Oregon OSHA Consultation
Paid Leave Oregon
Speaker Biographies
(Alphabetized by last name)
Tim Bernasek is a partner at Oregon law firm Dunn Carney LLP. He focuses on agriculture and natural resources law and administrative, real estate, employment, and business law. He leads Dunn Carney’s Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Team, sponsors the firm’s popular annual Ag Summit, and frequently speaks on agricultural business, real estate, and employment issues.
Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis is a Republican member of the Oregon House of Representatives serving District 15 (Albany, Millersburg, Tangent). Raised on her family’s farm in Tangent and Shedd, she earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Oregon State University. She helped grow her family’s agricultural and trucking business with a global reach. First elected in 2018, she has championed agriculture, transportation, and rural issues. Shelly, her husband Geoff, and their three daughters live near Albany, where they stay active in their community and enjoy farm life.
Jeane DeLaney, Ph.D., recently retired from a 30-year academic career focused on Latin America. She grew up on a family farm, and her experiences in Mexico and Central America made her keenly aware of the region’s poverty and the importance of migration to the U.S. as one of the few paths people have to a better life. DeLaney has volunteered to help on several WAFLA projects related to equitable employment and is a founder and director of Field to Future.
Jenny Dresler is the Director of Grassroots and a lobbyist with Public Affairs Counsel in Oregon. She previously served as Director of State Public Policy at the Oregon Farm Bureau, overseeing its legislative agenda. Dresler began her career as an aide to U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s in environmental science, with a focus on integrating scientific expertise into public policy.
Enrique Gastelum is the chief executive officer at WAFLA and a champion of promoting the sustainability of labor-intensive agriculture across the Pacific Northwest. His background in a farmworker family, his time as a government labor law regulator and educator, and his work as the CFO of Washington Farm Bureau have given him a unique perspective that balances seasonal employers' labor needs with workers' rights and dignities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and an MBA in public administration.
Ryan Kunkel is an Oregon-based employment and labor attorney at Stoel Rives LLP who handles litigation in federal and state courts and arbitration, and advises employers on strategies to reduce risk and preempt disputes. He focuses on unfair competition issues such as non-competition, non-solicitation, and trade secrets, especially in the financial and manufacturing sectors. Kunkel also represents clients in National Labor Relations Board matters, labor grievances, and collective bargaining issues. He earned his J.D. summa cum laude from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2015, having earlier received a B.A. from the University of Portland in 2005.
Roxana Macias is the chief people and community officer at WAFLA. Macias is a first-generation daughter of Mexican farmworkers and a University of Washington graduate. She has worked on all angles of the guest worker programs, including wage determinations, filing H-2A and H-2B contracts, human resources, foreign recruitment, and program compliance. Her role at WAFLA involves developing and implementing programs to help growers and workers navigate the complexities of state and federal laws and regulations and work in cohesion toward a shared goal.
Sherri Marks works for the Oregon OSHA Consultative Services Section, where she provides consultations to help employers comply with state and federal occupational safety and health laws.
Ryan Ogburn is the WAFLA visa services director. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts and cum laude honors. While at PLU, Ryan spent over six months studying in Cuba and Spain and speaks fluent Spanish.
Gwen Perkins is a seasoned workers’ compensation professional with over 21 years of experience aiding employers with claims challenges. She is passionate about strengthening the agricultural industry and helping those businesses grow in the state of Washington. Gwen has a history in agribusiness and continues to extend her talents to aiding equine-related entities. In her leisure time, she enjoys horse activities, dressage, and of course, two exuberant cats.
Rep. Ricki Ruiz is a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 50 (Gresham and parts of East Portland) since January 2021. Born in Portland and raised in Gresham by immigrant parents, he was the first in his family to graduate high school through the Reynolds School District. He earned a B.A. in social entrepreneurship from Warner Pacific University in 2016 and later an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Ruiz co-founded the Rockwood Initiative as a student, helping to fund community futsal courts. He also served on the Reynolds School Board, before winning his legislative seat. In the legislature he focuses on education, housing, racial justice, health, climate, and economic issues, and serves on committees including the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Education.
Eamonn Roach is a partner at Roach and Bishop, based in Pasco, Washington. A native of Pasco and alumnus of Tri-Cities Prep, he earned a B.A. in International Studies and Politics with a Spanish minor at Seattle University, studied Mandarin in China, and then obtained his J.D. from Gonzaga University. Roach practices primarily in immigration law (including family and employment-based visas, asylum, and work with foreign-trained medical professionals), working alongside his father, Tom Roach, and is fluent in Spanish.
Lauren Russell is a litigator with extensive state and federal court experience and practices on the Litigation, Employment, and Agricultural and Natural Resources teams at Dunn Carney. She focuses on management-side employment law, representing businesses and nonprofits in discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, harassment, breach of contract, and restrictive covenant matters. Lauren also advises employers on compliance, policies, training, and workplace investigations. Her practice includes commercial litigation and legal malpractice defense, and she often serves as local counsel. A former journalist from Montana, she crafts compelling narratives. She serves on Dunn Carney’s Summer Associate Hiring Committee and actively supports pro bono and community work.
Leon Sequeira is an attorney with more than two decades of experience advising employers and industry associations on employment and immigration matters involving foreign workers. He represents clients across the United States, from small family farms to some of the nation’s largest employers of H-2A and H-2B guest workers. In addition to defending employers in government investigations and litigation, he also represents employers on public policy, regulatory, and legislative issues in Washington, D.C.
Yocelin Martinez