California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay will become president and CEO of the California Table Grape Commission in spring 2025.
The California Table Grape Commission was established in 1967 to maintain and expand markets for fresh California grapes and to create and expand markets. LeMay will join the commission staff as incoming president once he finds and successfully transitions his successor, according to a news release.
LeMay will succeed Kathleen Nave, who has served in the lead staff role since January 1999 after succeeding Bruce Obbink. Nave joined the commission in 1987 and plans to retire in the spring 2025.
Related news: What’s ahead for California table grapes, strawberries and cherries
“We are thrilled that Ian accepted the offer to join the commission team and to transition into the lead role,” Nave said in the release. “Ian is successfully leading an important industry organization now and will bring his experience, expertise, character, and knowledge of the issues growers face to the work of the commission. Having worked closely with Ian since he took over as president of the association almost four years ago, I have seen his commitment to growers exhibited many times and truly look forward to working with him and watching him take on the worldwide promotion of California table grapes!”
In its 55-year history there have been only three commission presidents, two of whom served for over 25 years. According to Nave, the California Table Grape Commission has a history of choosing its president and CEO carefully and then allowing time for the incoming leader to transition into the role.
