WASHINGTON - Three cheers for Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards, who has been recognized as the 2023 Apple Citizen of the Year at the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. In a surprise presentation put on by Festival Administrator Darci Christoferson, the leader was given the distinguished honor after being chosen by other industry members and past recipients of the award, which honors the roots of the fruit industry and the leaders that support apple growth in the Wenatchee Valley.

Mast has been with CMI for the past two decades, joining as Director of Marketing before being promoted to Vice President of Marketing and then President in 2013, a release explained. Before coming to the apple grower, Mast gained valuable knowledge working in retail as a Produce Manager, Regional Supervisor, Buyer, Category Manager, and Assistant Director for Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona.

As President of CMI, he has helped spur unprecedented growth, expanding the supplier’s list of proprietary varieties from three to 11. Mast has also led his team in introducing one of the first apple retail displays that shipped with fruit and the Sweet to Tart meter, which has evolved into CMI’s Flavogram®.

During his tenure, CMI has also expanded from six warehouses to 11. In 2013, the company sold roughly 11.7 million boxes, and now, it is projected to sell over 18 million this coming season.

In addition to his work with CMI, Mast has served on the Board of Directors for the Washington Apple Commission for eight years. He continues to show his dedication to the industry as a Trustee for US Apple and a past Chairman and current member of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Board of Directors.

To read more about Mast and his commitment to the category, click here.

Congratulations to Bob Mast on this exciting honor!

CMI Orchards