Hass Avocado Board elects new officers

The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) recently elected a new slate of officers for the next year. James Johnson, producer, was chosen as chairman of the board; Bob Schaar, producer, as vice-chairman; Mike Parr, importer, as secretary; and Chris Henry, importer, as treasurer.

The following new directors were also seated at the annual meeting: Thomas A. Escalante, producer; Laurie Luschei, producer; and David Fausset, importer. Two directors were reappointed: Bob Schaar, producer; and Chris Henry, importer. The directors were elected by Hass avocado importers and producers and appointed to the board by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The following new alternates were also seated: Michael Adams, producer;Linda Mullins, producer; Lyle Kafader, producer; Custodio Aguilar, producer; Jim Swoboda, producer; Jorge Hernandez, importer; andGahl Crane, importer. They were also elected by importers and producers and appointed by the USDA.

“We look forward to another immensely productive year,” said Emiliano Escobedo, HAB’s executive director. “We work hard to increase the collaboration between growers, importers and handlers to create a successful market place.”

HAB also thanked the following outgoing board members, whose terms as members of the board ended in 2014, for their dedication and service to the avocado industry: Ed Embly, producer; Casimir Wytaniec, producer; Isabel Freeland, importer; and Will Carleton, producer.

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