BOLD Introduces First-Ever Class of Board Leadership Development Program Members

The Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development Program Launches Inaugural Program Year to Develop Emerging Leaders in the Industry

In an effort to address both the extraordinary opportunities and the extraordinary challenges the industry faces, the Hass Avocado Board (HAB), with industry participation, has developed BOLD: The Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development Program. Helping the industry face an increasingly complex marketplace with sophisticated problem-solvers, BOLD is designed to develop emerging leaders who are both motivated and equipped to meet those opportunities and challenges.

BOLD logo

“This is the first program of its kind for the avocado industry, and we’ve received enthusiastic and unanimous support from our stakeholders,” said Emiliano Escobedo, HAB Executive Director. “We’ve been pleased to see a diversity of interested class participants that are Hass avocado producers and importers, and we are very proud to welcome them to our inaugural BOLD class.”

BOLD is intended to bring out the best in both participants and boards, ultimately resulting in an ever-growing group of credible and stead-fast advocates for the industry. The program offers individuals who want to make a difference in the industry they love with a productive pathway to do so. BOLD also provides industry boards with a continuous infusion of well-rounded professional perspectives to help them stay ahead of market opportunities and to address industry challenges.

Content for this avocado industry program will be developed and taught by relevant professionals, ranging from industry veterans to top academic professionals in food and agriculture at the University of California-Davis.

BOLD graduates will discover ways to turn their personal passion for avocados into a professional asset that can help improve profitability and increase the effectiveness of a growing industry that creates jobs, improves the well-being of consumers, and benefits entire communities.

Backed by HAB, the only independent avocado organization that equips the entire industry for success, and financially supported by industry associations, BOLD focuses on nurturing the potential of the individual for the benefit of the entire industry.

The 12-member inaugural 2021 class of the BOLD program includes:

  • Brock Becker – Importer
  • Gerardo Huerta – Importer
  • Rachael Laenen – Producer
  • Jaime Rivas – Producer
  • Peter Romero – Producer
  • Erika Vega – Importer
  • Sean Bettles – Producer
  • Connor Huser – Importer
  • Juan Monsalve – Importer
  • Monica Robles – Importer
  • David Ruiz, Jr. – Producer
  • Ricardo Vega, Jr. – Producer

Other Happenings

BOLD Class 4 Graduation Brings BOLD Graduate Count to 50!

June 23, 2025

Congratulations to the 14 members of BOLD Class 4 who completed their BOLD experience in Oxnard, California, on March 11th and 12th, 2025.

Experts, Insights, and Avocados: ANSA 2025 Recap

June 9, 2025

Top researchers met in San Juan Capistrano to help shape the future of avocado nutrition science.

2024 Year in Review

May 25, 2025

As we look back on the 2024 season, some things came into focus that the industry needs to stay aware of as we move into the future.