Fresh and eager to begin their year-long experience, 21 participants in the Almond Board of California’s (ABC’s) Almond Leadership program met for the first time in late January for their program orientation and kickoff activities. At the end of the program, the California Almond industry will be enriched by the addition of 21 members poised to become industry leaders.
After a brief introduction to the major programs and activities of the ABC, participants were introduced to their mentors — dedicated long-term members of the California Almond industry who volunteer their time and expertise to share their knowledge and provide guidance throughout the year. Participants are paired with mentors according to their particular areas of interest.
A highlight of the orientation was a seminar on the state of the California Almond industry presented by President and CEO Richard Waycott, who provided a brief history of the growth of the industry, and also described the challenges and opportunities the industry faces.
Getting-to-know-you exercises were led by Almond Leadership Program director Jenny Nicolau, manager, Industry Relations, for ABC. First, participants interviewed their mentors and shared three facts about them. In another exercise, each member of the class brought four items to the orientation meeting that represented themselves, and explained the significance of those items to their classmates. Items ranged from a handful of library cards for libraries around the world, to a pair of spurs, representing one member’s interest in horse training.
In subsequent months, the class of 2016 will attend events designed to provide a well-rounded education on all aspects of almond production, processing and marketing. Class members will also have the opportunity to job-shadow mentors, giving them an authentic experience in the California Almond industry.
The members of the Almond Leadership class of 2016 and their mentors are:
- Ashley Bandoni, Syngenta, mentor: Randy Layne
- Joseph Barnett, Blue Diamond Growers, mentor: Todd Meyer
- Daniel Chui, Trinitas Partners, LLC, mentor: Jordan Phippen
- Rory Crowley, Nicolaus Nut Co., Inc., mentor: Todd Meyer
- Chad Cummings, JKB Energy, mentor: Ladd Hackler
- Blake Davis, Pacific Gold Agriculture, mentor: Chuck Dirkse
- Scott Donald, Pearl Crop, mentor: Mike Ratto
- Rita Edwards, Coldwell Solar, Inc., mentor: Brian Dunning
- Sarah Gooder, Wonderful Orchards, mentor: Brendan Feder
- Jarred Hettinger, Jackrabbit, Inc., mentor: Tommy Tickenoff
- Mallvinder Kahal, Kahal Farms, mentor: Ryan Cosyns
- Michael Locke, CH Farming, Inc., mentor: Dave Richmond
- Ethan Nicol, Portwood Farms, mentor: Kent Stenderup
- Edgar Perez, Crop Production Services, mentor: Carlos Arellano
- Angie Raimondi, Blue Diamond, mentor: Lori Coburn
- Wes Romero, The Almond Company, mentor: Stan Chance
- Chris Taylor, Bayer CropScience, mentor: Danielle Lightle
- Jason Thomas, Syngenta, mentor: Emily Symmes
- Miguel Vasquez, Sierra View Ranch, mentor: Martin Pohl
- Robert Willmott, CSU Fresno, mentor: Darren Rigg
- Brandon Windecker, Olam Farming, Inc., mentor: Jared Britschgi
