Eco Farms has named Jim Leach as its next president, effective Nov. 16. He will succeed founder and current president Steve Taft, who plans to retire June 1, 2027, after more than five decades of leadership.
Taft co-founded Eco Farms in 1972, helping pioneer the U.S. organic avocado market and growing the company into a year-round supplier with grower partnerships across California, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Eco Farms expanded its North American reach through a 2020 partnership with Oppy, followed by a joint effort with Avoworks in 2022 to strengthen supply reliability.
“As I look ahead to retirement, I do so with mixed emotions,” Taft says. “Eco Farms has been an enormous part of my life for more than 50 years. While stepping away won’t be easy, I have tremendous confidence in the future of the company. Jim understands both the grower and customer sides of the business, is energetic, talented, positive and a great cultural fit for this organization. I look forward to working closely with him over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.”
Today, through its partnership with Oppy and a vertically integrated supply network, Eco Farms supports its avocado programs with more than 700 acres of California groves, global sourcing capabilities and strategically located ripening facilities.
“Steve is someone I have looked up to and have been fortunate to learn from over the past several years,” Leach says. “Our company is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth, and I look forward to continuing to learn from Steve throughout the transition and building on the strong foundation that he and the Eco Farms team have created.”
Leach currently serves as Oppy’s director of foodservice and Southwest sales, having joined the company in 2016. Raised in California’s Salinas Valley, Leach began his career in Oppy’s Chino Hills office before moving to Houston in 2021 to lead Southwest sales. He will work alongside Taft during the transition.
“Steve’s impact on the avocado industry cannot be overstated,” says David Smith, president and chief operating officer of Oppy. “He has built a remarkable company, pioneered new opportunities in the avocado category and developed lasting relationships with growers, customers and industry partners around the world. At the same time, we’re excited about the future under Jim’s leadership. He combines strong commercial expertise with a deep appreciation for grower relationships, making him exceptionally well suited to guide Eco Farms through its new era.”
