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

Jorge Hernandez
Importer Director
Chairperson

CJ Shade
Producer Director
Vice Chairperson

Sergio Chavez
Importer Director
Treasurer

Susan Pinkerton
Producer Director
Secretary

Elaine Bannatyne
Producer Director

Bob Schaar
Producer Director

Debbie Willmann
Importer Director

Jamie Johnson
Producer Director

Mark Vawter
Producer Director

Aaron Acosta
Importer Director

Chris Henry
Importer Director

Ben Van Der Kar
Producer Director

Rocco Fiore II
Producer Alternate

Daniel Harte
Producer Alternate

Juan Monsalve
Importer Alternate

Byron Talley
Producer Alternate

Ivor Van Wingerden
Producer Alternate

Elizabeth Ayala
Importer Alternate

Vacant
Importer Alternate

Jeff Dickinson
Producer Alternate

Will Carleton
Producer Alternate

Kimberlin Brown Pelzer
Producer Alternate

Andy Bruno
Importer Alternate

Peter Shore
Importer Alternate
Staff
Monica Acosta
Associate Manager of Finance and Administration
Natalia Arias
Sr. Digital Marketing Strategist
Ella Bauer, PhD
Nutrition Research Associate 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
Content and Community 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
Updates & Resources