2016 Almond Achievement Award winner, Dave Phippen.
Dave Phippen was announced as the 2016 Almond Achievement Award winner at the Almond Conference Gala Dinner held Dec. 8 in Sacramento. Currently a member of the Almond Board of Directors, he is also a member of both the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary.
“Dave’s gift as a leader has been to become as well informed as possible about all aspects of the industry so he can make educated and thoughtful decisions,” said Richard Waycott, Almond Board president and CEO. “Since Dave has worked with the Almond Board for so many years, he understands the accomplishments and capabilities of the organization and its staff.”
Phippen has spent 16 years serving as a Board member for the Almond Board of California, including positions as vice chair and chairman. He’s also participated in several committees, including:
- One year on Diversity Committee
- Three years on the Global Market Development Committee
- Three years on the Industry Relations Steering Committee
- Three years on Established Markets Subcommittee
- Four years on the Nutrition Research Committee
- Eight years on the PR and Advertising Committee
- Nine years on the Food Quality and Safety Committee
- Thirteen years on the Reserve Committee
- Fourteen years on the (Administration) Finance (and Audit) Committee
- Sixteen years as a Board member (one year as vice chair, two years as chairman)
Successful Tours
“I’ve worked with Dave to coordinate tours on his operation, and he and his son-in-law, Nick Gatzman, always do a phenomenal job explaining the growing and harvesting process,” said Molly Spence, director of North America, Almond Board of California. "They do this in such a way that helps our attendees, mainly health professionals, understand all the hard, smart and thoughtful work that goes into producing the food we buy at the store.”
As both growers and handlers, Travaille and Phippen continuously fosters innovation. From pest management to irrigation and fertilizing through harvest, Travaille and Phippen is constantly integrating technological innovation to help the Manteca grower, huller, sheller, packer and processor farm sustainably while optimizing inputs and production.
Encourages Communication
“Dave and his family have opened their orchards and plants to dozens, if not hundreds, of visits by reporters, regulators, food and health professionals, customers from around the world, et cetera,” said Waycott. “His attitude is to encourage communication and understanding by inviting industry stakeholders to see firsthand what he and his family are doing. This has contributed to the good reputation of the industry, as well as the growth of almond usage.”
Since 2011, the Almond Achievement Award has been awarded to an industry or allied-industry member who has been an integral member of the California Almond industry through long-term service, contributions or innovations.
Past Almond Achievement Award recipients include Ned Ryan, Martin Pohl, Joe MacIlvaine, Dave Baker and Jim Jasper. Nominations for the Almond Achievement Award are accepted between August and October each year.
