Board Members & Staff

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

Board Members

Bob Schaar

Producer Director
Chairperson

Jamie Johnson

Producer Director
Vice Chairperson

Gwen Jackimek

Importer Director
Secretary

Chris Henry

Importer Director
Treasurer

Doug O'Hara

Producer Director

Will Carleton

Producer Director

Jeff Dickinson

Producer Director

Leighanne Neary

Importer Director

Elaine Bannatyne

Producer Director

Debbie Willmann

Importer Director

Mark Vawter

Producer Director

Aaron Acosta

Importer Director

Elizabeth Flores

Producer Alternate

Ben Van Der Kar

Producer Alternate

Hillary DeCarl

Producer Alternate

Elizabeth Ayala

Importer Alternate

Rigo Perez, Jr.

Importer Alternate

Rocco Fiore II

Producer Alternate

Daniel Harte

Producer Alternate

Juan Monsalve

Importer Alternate

Byron Talley

Producer Alternate

Ivor Van Wingerden

Producer Alternate

Vacant

Importer Alternate

Dave Billings

Importer Alternate

Staff

Monica Acosta

Associate Manager of Finance and Administration

Natalia Arias

Sr. Manager, Digital Marketing & Insights

Ella Bauer, PhD

Nutrition Research Manager

Feon Cheng, PhD, RDN

Nutrition Epidemiologist

Emiliano Escobedo

Executive Director

Nikki A. Ford, PhD

Sr. Director of Nutrition

Jason Garthoffner

Web and Graphic Designer

Alejandro Gavito

Sr. Business Insights and Data Services Manager

Ivonne Gomez

Social Media Manager

Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, LDN

PR & Advertising Manager

John McGuigan

Director of Industry Affairs

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