California Avocado Commission president and CEO departs

The California Avocado Commission says that Jeff Oberman, who served as president and CEO of the organization since October 2022, has left the organization to pursue other interests.

Oberman was brought in as the first external hire to be president and CEO for the commission in over three decades, according to a news release.

Over the past year, CAC implemented significant changes that have strengthened the organization and its standing in the industry, the release said, adding that some of the notable positive changes include:

• Organizational restructuring — Oberman led the charge in restructuring the organization and its vendor relationships. These changes have increased operational efficiency and led to significant cost savings.
• Balanced promotion strategy — Recognizing the importance of both consumer marketing and retail and foodservice trade partnerships, Oberman helped reshape the commission's strategic promotion efforts. This more balanced approach is anticipated to yield cost-savings and enhance program effectiveness, according to the release.
• Key leadership addition — Oberman’s commitment to enhancing the organization included the recruitment of a new vice president of marketing, who has since played a pivotal role in shaping and executing CAC’s marketing strategies. release said.

Rob Grether, chairman of the California Avocado Commission, expressed gratitude for Oberman's service and his contributions to the organization.

"We are appreciative of the progress that the commission has achieved with Jeff at the helm as our president and CEO,” Grether said in the release. “We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”