Industry leaders graduate from Hass Avocado Board professional development program

The Hass Avocado Board is celebrating the latest graduating class of its Board Leadership Development (BOLD) program, which provides specialized training and real-world experience.

The year-long program connects emerging leaders from across the supply chain with experts and resources essential to form a well-rounded understanding of the business and being considered ready to serve on a board, according to a news release. Newly added experiential learning opportunities, like a two-day, in-person briefing with the USDA in Washington, D.C., exemplify how the program immerses participants into the complexities and opportunities to take the industry forward, the release said. 

“With the avocado industry booming at more than $7 billion in retail dollars, there is constant, dynamic change that requires leaders to have a big picture overview of all the relevant market forces influencing growth,” John McGuigan, director of industry affairs for the Hass Avocado Board, said in the release. “The rising stars of BOLD Class 2 graduate with greater strategic vision, a stronger professional network and overall, more excitement and confidence to lead by serving on a board.”

As the industry strives to have supply strives to keep pace with avocado’s growing popularity, the strategic evolution of instruction and expansion of influential guest speakers is becoming one of the BOLD program’s signature qualities, according to the release.

The 2022-2023 curriculum kept a foundational deep dive into the rules of governance and financial and fiduciary responsibilities of board members at the University of California, Davis, and added the trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with USDA leadership. Through hands-on meetings with industry veterans, expert Hass Avocado Board staff and mentors with avocado board experience, participants took away fresh insights and a broader perspective of what board service entails, according to the release.

Graduates of BOLD Class 2 are:

• Casey Evans Beltran, producer/importer, La Bonanza Avocados.
• Maureen Cottingham, producer, Camlam Farms Inc.  
• Caitlin Cunha, producer/importer, Del Rey Avocado.
• Hillary DeCarl, producer/importer, Del Rey Avocado.  
• Elizabeth Flores, producer/importer, Mission Produce.
• Gwen Jackimek, producer/importer, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc.  
• Osvaldo Magaña, producer, Limoneira Co.
• Carlos Ignacio Valerio Medel, producer, Fruitval S.A. de C.V.  
• Jeff Onstot, producer/importer, Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA.
• Jose Daniel Pardo, producer/importer, Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA.
• John Patrick, producer/importer, Eco Farms.
• LeighAnne Thomsen, importer, Calavo Growers.
   

As the first and only professional development initiative for the Hass avocado industry, BOLD inspires fresh thinking and provides participants with a network of connections and resources to facilitate innovation, thought leadership and effective problem-solving, the Hass Avocado Board says.

BOLD will welcome its third class in April. More details about the program are available on the Hass Avocado Board website.