Western Growers has promoted Bryan Nickerson to director of membership, overseeing the development and implementation of strategies to grow and retain membership, according to the association.
“This is a full-circle moment for both Bryan and Western Growers,” Cory Lunde, vice president of external affairs, said in a news release. “After 11 years of serving our members in a variety of roles, Bryan is returning to where he began — this time to lead the membership department and champion the unmatched value our organization brings to the fresh produce community. Born and raised in California agriculture, Bryan bleeds Western Growers green and speaks our members’ language. His passion and commitment to the industry will be front and center in this new role.”
Nickerson, a third-generation agriculturalist, was born and raised in California’s Coachella Valley. He brings a deep-rooted understanding of agricultural production and operations to his role, the association says. Before he joined Western Growers, he served as director of packing operations for Prime Time International, a year-round grower-packer-shipper of colored peppers.
Western Growers says Nickerson will focus on enhancing member engagement and expanding utilization of its broad portfolio of services and resources. He will also continue to provide commodity and supply chain support to members, including dispute resolution services, sales guidance, Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act training and other supply chain matters under federal jurisdiction. He also oversees the Western Growers Leadership Program.
Nickerson also currently serves on the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Market Enforcement Advisory Committee. He is an alumnus of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).
