The California Walnut Commission announced its newly elected commission board members on Sept. 17. The new members will serve two-year terms, which began Sept. 1 and will end Aug. 31, 2027. The commission’s board consists of eight producer members and four handler members, as well as alternates for each seat. For this upcoming term, seven new individuals will be joining the board as noted below.
District 1:
- Producer Member: Jay Colombini, Linden; Alternate: Jack Vickery, Winters
- Producer Member: Ashley DeValentine McKenzie, Rio Oso; Alternate: Donald Norene, Rio Oso
- Producer Member: R. Davin Norene, Woodland; Alternate: Henry Gilbert, Wheatland (New)
- Producer Member: Kali Dittrich, Clements (New); Alternate: John Heier, Live Oak (New)
District 2:
- Producer Member: Darrell Cordova, Denair; Alternate: Gordon Heinrich, Modesto
- Producer Member: Andrew Souza, Crows Landing (New); Alternate: Gurjant Khosa, Fowler
- Producer Member: Neil Jolliff, Modesto (New); Alternate: Open
- Producer Member: Everett Souza Jr, Crows Landing (New); Alternate: Open
Handlers:
- Handler Member: Brian Dunning, Olivehurst; Alternate: Jeffrey Sleeper, Orland
- Handler Member: Jack Mariani, Winters; Alternate: William Carriere, Glen
- Handler Member: Charles R. Crain Jr., Los Molinos; Alternate: William Crain, Los Molinos
- Handler Member: Christopher Cromwell, Stockton (New); Alternate: Matt Langford, Stockton
“Our new commission board members represent the next generation of leadership for California Walnuts,” says Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Commission. “Their expertise, vision and dedication will be key as we work to grow global demand, support innovation and ultimately drive grower prosperity.”
Commission board members will help advance the strategic priorities outlined in the industry’s strategic plan. These include delivering the best quality California walnuts, international trade and consumer marketing, supporting global retail and foodservice sales, fostering walnut innovation, defining sustainability as a point of differentiation, and conducting nutrition and health research and more.
