Fresno, California – The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) kicked off its new fiscal year with its annual March Board of Directors meeting in Fresno yesterday. The board meeting featured the election of the Association’s Chairman and Board of Directors, as well as included industry and committee updates.
The CFFA Board of Directors is made up of 37 men and women from across California. Kevin Herman (The Specialty Crop Company) was elected as the Chairman of the Board for the 2021/22 fiscal year. The organizations officers are nominated to serve for a one-year term and are selected by a committee of past board chairs. The slate of full officers includes:
- CHAIR: Kevin Herman (The Specialty Crop Company) – a Madera-based fresh fig, pomegranate, and persimmon shipper.
- FIRST VICE CHAIR: Wayde Kirschenman (Kirschenman Enterprises) – a Kern County-based diversified farming operation.
- SECOND VICE CHAIR: Melissa Frank (Wonderful Orchards) – Kern County-based diversified farming operation.
- SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) – a Delano-based fresh grape shipper.
The Association is also pleased to honor John Giumarra, Jr., of Giumarra Vineyards Corp., posthumously, with the prestigious Mentor’s Award, which is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry, and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry. Giumarra Jr. made many contributions to the table grape industry throughout his career. He served as Chairman of the CFFA Board of Directors in 1980/81 and was a valuable and loyal supporter of the Association for many years. Giumarra Jr. received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley, a graduate’s degree from University of California Los Angeles and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford University. He was the third-generation owner of Giumarra Vineyards founded in 1922 by his father and uncles and in 2015, was appointed CEO and President of the company. Giumarra Jr. had a strong dedication to the agricultural industry, as he served as a board member of the California Table Grape Commission for 33 years and on the board of directors for the United
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, as well as the Produce Marketing Association. The Mentor’s Award was first presented in 1966 to Mr. Martin Zaninovich of Jasmine Vineyards, Inc. An awardee is selected by the CFFA Mentor’s Committee and a recipient is selected based on the following criteria: a trusted counselor or guide; a wise, loyal advisor; a tutor, coach teacher; and a person who, through effort, discovery, innovation, dedication and/or perseverance, influenced the fresh fruit industry in a positive way.
