Ryan Klobas, CEO Of Napa County Farm Bureau, Dies At 45

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Napa County Farm Bureau was mourning the sudden loss of its chief executive officer, Ryan Klobas, who died last week at the age of 45.

In a statement issued Friday, the organization said Klobas was "a dedicated and relentless advocate for agriculture but also a friend to many."

"The Napa County Farm Bureau is shocked and saddened to learn the news of our friend and CEO, Ryan Klobas," Napa County Farm Bureau President Peter Nissen said. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Ryan’s family, friends and colleagues. His contributions as the Napa County Farm Bureau’s CEO will clearly leave a lasting impact on the farming and agriculture community in Napa County. It is evident that he was not only a dedicated and relentless advocate for agriculture but also a friend to many. Our thoughts are with his family during this challenging time, and I hope that the memories of Ryan's accomplishments and dedication bring comfort to those mourning his loss."

Klobas first came to work for the organization in September 2017 as a policy director after working in Sacramento as an adviser to then-Gov. Jerry Brown on environmental issues and who also made appointment recommendations for all of California’s environmental boards and commissions. Klobas also worked as chief of staff for Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho in addition to other executive positions.

Klobas' great-grandfather, Joseph Koblas, was a Croatian immigrant who came to Napa County in 1929 and grew wine grapes for seven years until he saved enough money to bring his family to California from Croatia. The family settled in Richmond, according to a 2008 obituary for Klobas' grandfather, Samuel Klobas.

Ryan Klobas earned a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco after earning a bachelor’s degree in politics from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga.

Since 2018, he served as CEO of the Napa County Farm Bureau. Under Klobas' leadership, the Napa County Farm Bureau took positions on several issues affecting local agriculture, according to Winebusiness.com.

In 2020 under Klobas' leadership, the California Farm Bureau recognized the Napa County Farm Bureau with the County of the Year Award, praising the organization for arranging for COVID-19 tests for farm employees, creating local Spanish-language outreach videos about pandemic safety and providing free N95 respirators to farm employees during wildfires.

Upon receiving the award, Klobas said: "As the CEO of the oldest agricultural organization in Napa Valley, it is an absolute honor to represent so many Ag families and businesses and to know that we are successful on their behalf. I am so proud of this organization and the work that we do."

A memorial has not been announced and details on Klobas' death have not been released. Klobas did not die in Napa County, Winebusiness.com wrote, citing the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

Napa County Supervisor Anne Cottrell wrote on social media that she was "very saddened to learn of his passing."

"I extend my condolences to Ryan’s family, friends and colleagues," Cottrell said. "Ryan was a passionate leader and an important voice for agriculture who worked hard for his membership. This is a painful loss for our community."

State Sen. Bill Dodd also gave his condolences on social media, saying he was "saddened by this."

"Ryan was a true leader and a good person," Dodd said. "My heart goes out to his family and the Napa County Farm Bureau community."