USDA Announces New Board Members to Hass Avocado Board

On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of eight members to the Hass Avocado Board. Two producer members, two producer alternates, two importer members, and two importer alternates were appointed to fill three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2027.

Newly appointed members and alternates are:

• James Johnson, Fillmore, California (Producer Member)
• Michael Craviotto, Moorpark, California (Producer Alternate)
• Paula Coxe, Fallbrook, California (Producer Member)
• Ivor Van Wingerden, Arroyo Grande, California (Producer Alternate)
• David Billings, Capistrano Beach, California (Importer Member)
• Sabrina Castillo Lora, Miami, Florida (Importer Alternate)
• Angela Tallant, Estero, Florida (Importer Member)
• Robert Ybarra, Pharr, Texas (Importer Alternate)

The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members and five importer members; each member has an alternate.

More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage and on the board’s website hassavocadoboard.com.

Following the seating of the new HAB Board on December 4th, 2024, the board announced its newly elected executive committee members who will serve for the 2025 board year.

California producer Bob Schaar re-elected as HAB Chairman

Importer Gwen Jackimeck as Vice Chairperson

California producer Jeff Dickinson as Secretary

Importer Debbie Willmann as Treasurer

The executive committee will play a pivotal role in shaping and drafting HAB’s new 2026-2030 strategic plan, which will be written in 2025 with the direct guidance of the entire board. The plan includes strategies, objectives, and five-year working goals across each of the determined strategic priority areas.