California Fresh Fruit Association Hosts 82nd Annual Meeting, Elects Randy Giumarra as Chair
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - With a new fiscal year came a new Board of Directors and Chairman for the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA). During the group’s 82nd Annual Meeting in Pebble Beach, California, Randy Giumarra of Giumarra Vineyards was elected as Chairman of the Board for the 2018/19 fiscal year as Harold McClarty of HMC Farms completed his two years of service.
The Association’s Board, comprised of 46 men and women from operations located from as far south as Coachella Valley to as far north as Lake County, meets three times a year to take action on regulatory and legislative issues at the state, federal, and international levels. The organization's officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. According to a press release, the full slate of new officers included:
- CHAIR: Randy Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards) - Bakersfield-based fresh grape and treefruit shipper
- FIRST VICE CHAIR: Kevin Herman (The Specialty Crop Company) - Madera-based fresh fig, pomegranate, and persimmon shipper
- SECOND VICE CHAIR: Wayde Kirschenman (Kirschenman Enterprises) – Kern County-based diversified farming operation
- SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) - Delano-based fresh grape shipper
Stepping down after two years of service as Chairman is Harold McClarty of HMC Farms, who the Association graciously thanked for his tenure.
Also garnering a share of the spotlight during the meeting was Kathleen Nave, President/CEO of The California Table Grape Commission, who was awarded the Association’s prestigious Mentor’s Award. Given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry, and treefruit communities, Nave has demonstrated herself as a perfect candidate. Nave has overseen strong commodity growth for the California table grape industry during her 19 years as President.
Before joining industry members at the meeting, the Association hosted two keynote speakers at the Annual Industry Workshop: Hector Barajas, partner at MBA Communications, and Bill Bishop, Chief Architect and Co-Founder of Brick Meets Click. The Association reported that both speakers delivered passionate messages about issues that are impacting the future of California agriculture and what our industry must do to be prepared.
Congratulations to Randy and Kathleen, as well as all those honored by CFFA this week, and for more on issues affecting California’s rich fresh produce industry, continue learning with us here at AndNowUKnow.
