The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the appointment of eight members to the Hass Avocado Board.
The USDA said two producers, two producer alternates, two importers and one importer alternate were appointed to serve three-year terms expiring on Oct. 31, 2024. An importer was appointed to fill one vacant importer alternate seat and to serve the remainder of the term which expires on Oct. 31, 2022, according to the USDA.
The agency said newly appointed members and alternates are:
- James Johnson, Westlake Village, California (Producer Member);
- Marquis Vawter, Laguna Niguel, California (Producer Member);
- Byron James Talley, Arroyo Grande, California (Producer Alternate);
- Ivor Van Wingerden, Carpinteria, California (Producer Alternate);
- Aaron Hernan Acosta, Mission, Texas (Importer Member)
- Maria DeSarbo, Branford, Connecticut (Importer Member);
- Elizabeth G. Ayala, Pharr, Texas (Importer Alternate); and
- Chris Henry, Escondido, California (Importer Alternate)
The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage.
