Board Members & Staff

“I am extremely passionate about the avocado industry and want to help shape its future.” – HAB BOARD MEMBER

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Board Members

Jamie Johnson

Vice Chair
Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Paula Coxe

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Dave Billings

Importer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Angela Tallant

Importer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

John Berns

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Daniel Harte

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Rob Ybarra

Importer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Doug O'Hara

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Ben Van Der Kar

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Jeff Dickinson

Producer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Rigo Perez

Importer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

LeighAnne Neary

Importer Director
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Michael Craviotto

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Ivor Van Wingerden

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Sabrina Castillo Lora

Importer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Jose Pardo

Importer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2027

Jonathan Smith

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Adam Dominguez

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Vacant

Importer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2028

Dianne Ortiz-Clay

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Megan Warren

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Victor Araiza

Producer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Debbie Willmann

Importer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029

Pedro Somarriba

Importer Alternate
Board Term Ends: 10/31/2029


Staff

Monica Acosta

Manager of Finance and Administration

Ella Bauer, PhD

Nutrition Research Manager

Feon Cheng, PhD, RDN

Nutrition Epidemiologist

Emiliano Escobedo

President & CEO

Nikki A. Ford, PhD

Sr. Director of Nutrition

Alejandro Gavito

Director of Business Insights and Data

Ivonne Gomez

Social Media Manager

Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, LDN

PR & Advertising Manager

Pam Ortega

Executive Assistant of Operations

Robert M. Rumph

Sr. Director of Finance
and Administration

Silvia Standke

Sr. Manager of Operations

Gina Widjaja

Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications

Updates & Resources

Upcoming Meetings

November 18-20, 2026

The Avocado Conference

December 8 & 9, 2026

HAC & HAB Meetings

See agenda and materials

Study

Avocado Path to Purchase – The Making of a Household Staple

This study explores how the avocado path to purchase has evolved over the past decade, outlining the key shifts that elevated avocados into a grocery list staple for avocado shoppers. It also highlights the current challenges and opportunities the industry faces in engaging shoppers throughout their purchase journey.

Learn More

Latest press release

Health and Wellness Shifts Create New Foodservice Opportunities for Avocados

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (September 23, 2026) — The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) has released its latest Foodservice Quarterly Insights report, exploring how health and wellness […]

Read more

HAB Happenings

Seats at the Table: How the BOLD Governance in Action Project Is Equipping Future Leaders

Discover how the BOLD Governance in Action Project is preparing the next generation of avocado industry leaders through real-world governance experience, hands-on learning, and the skills to lead with purpose.

Read the latest