USDA Announces New Board Members to Hass Avocado Board
On Thursday, November 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of eleven members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are three producer members, three producer alternates, two importer members and two importer alternates to fill three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2026, and one vacant importer alternate seat to fill the remainder of the term which expires on October 31, 2024.
Members and alternates newly appointed to serve are:
- Doug J. O’Hara, Camarillo, California (Producer Member)
- Ben Van Der Kar, Carpinteria, California (Producer Alternate)
- Will Carleton, Carpinteria, California (Producer Member)
- Jeff Dickinson, Fallbrook, California (Producer Member)
- Elizabeth Flores, Fallbrook, California (Producer Alternate)
- Hillary DeCarl, Fallbrook, California (Producer Alternate)
- Gwendolyn Jackimek, Coral Gables, Florida (Importer Member)
- LeighAnne Neary, Santa Paula, California (Importer Member)
- Rigo Perez Jr., Oxnard, California (Importer Alternate)
- Elizabeth G. Ayala, Pharr, Texas (Importer Alternate)
Appointed member serving a vacant term, expiring October 31, 2024:
- David Billings, Capistrano Beach, California (Importer Alternate)
The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members, and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.
Following the seating of the new HAB Board, on December 6th, 2023, the board announced its newly-elected executive committee board members that will be serving for the 2024 board year.
Bob Schaar
Chairman
Jamie Johnson
Vice-Chairman
Chris Henry
Treasurer
Gwen Jackimek
Secretary
For the industry, HAB strives to be a catalyst for action and a reason to be confident. All industry members are encouraged to register with HassAvocadoBoard.com to view timely industry updates and access tools that will help facilitate the decision-making process for their avocado business.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE HAPPENINGS
Harvesting Excellence: The Role of Governance in HAB’s Journey to Avocado Prominence
Good governance is the compass that steers the Hass Avocado Board towards its true north, ensuring that every action aligns with its mission, and every decision is a testament to its dedication to growing demand for avocados and strengthening our industry.
BOLD Program – Achieving Its Primary Goal
HAB’s Board Leadership Development Program (BOLD) was specifically developed and implemented by the avocado industry to attract, inform, educate, and turn out volunteer leaders for our industry’s many boards.
A “BOLD” Class of Leaders Step Forward to Help Steer the Future of the Avocado Industry
Emerging leaders across the supply chain complete HAB’s BOLD program to be better prepared to take the industry forward. Learn about how a briefing with the USDA helped them be ready to serve on a board.
