Leading Through Change: California State Advisor’s First Year

Jill Sperling, California FFA state advisor.

California FFA, the second largest state association in the National FFA Organization, recently went through one of the largest changes any state can make: the stepping down and replacement of a state FFA advisor.

Last year, after six years of dedicated service, Charles Parker retired from his position as California FFA state advisor with then Central Region Advisor Jill Sperling being selected to fill the position. Hailing from Elk Grove, Sperling makes history by serving as the first female state advisor in California. This change has been far from easy, with many challenges coming along the way for Sperling and her team of state staff members to overcome. 

Just weeks after stepping into her new position, California entered a hiring freeze for state employees. With state staff being employed by the California Department of Education, Sperling was unable to fill her former position as central region advisor. Soon after, Superior Region Advisor Anthony Drumonde stepped down with the opportunity to teach within the classroom again. Sperling took these two vacancies under her belt, serving as central and superior region advisor, on top of her new title as state FFA advisor.

“Having the responsibilities of three full-time jobs wasn’t an easy task,” says Sperling, “But it was necessary to ensure that the students, teachers and programs were provided with opportunities for success throughout the year.”

Additionally, Sperling says that she “had to put her original plans for state FFA advisor aside with the additional responsibilities of the regions.” Despite these challenges, both regional advisor positions have been filled for next year, with Sperling looking forward to working with two new members on the state staff team.

“When a quarter of the team is replaced, you get the opportunity to find new strengths and weaknesses in the team, and reevaluate responsibilities,” she says. “It’s always one of my favorite parts about changing dynamics.”

The 2025 California FFA State Staff.

Sperling’s first year has been positive despite these hardships. Attending meetings and advocating for agricultural education has pushed her through the struggles she’s seen throughout the year.

“I’m in this role because I believe in the three-circle model,” she says. “I’ve seen the impact it’s had on myself, my husband, children and countless other students over the decades.”

Expanding on the responsibilities of her role, Sperling says, “Within the position, I have to make a lot of hard decisions. Being the final verdict on state finals results and more is never easy, but it’s a part of the job, and someone has to do it.”

These decisions are far from easy for Sperling to decide, and sometimes it and people’s opinions get to her. Being the daughter of 1989-2014 State Advisor Bob Heuvel, many relate her successes and position to her father’s long-time commitment to the profession. When confronted with these claims and opinions, Sperling reminds herself of why she does what she does.

“Not to be in power, be in charge, make decisions or follow in the path of my father,” she says. “But to protect California agricultural education, and the ability of state staff to continue providing services that ensure students, teachers and programs have the resources and support that they need to be successful.”

The Sperling Family, each of whom was uniquely impacted by agricultural education

Serving 110,000 members is far from easy, and collaborating with over 1,000 teachers across the state to ensure every student is properly represented can be even more daunting. New personal and professional challenges come with this commitment daily—Sperling works to overcome all of them.

To students who are experiencing challenges in their lives within or outside of the association, Sperling reminds you that “it’s okay to call upon a friend or mentor to help remind you of why you do what you do,” she says. “Just the other day, I did as well, and without that support, I would have continued being overly hard on myself. Asking for help sometimes is needed, and that’s okay.”

Sperling and her parents after she was awarded her Honorary American FFA Degree.