The Almond Hullers and Processors Association (AHPA) officially became the Almond Alliance of California (AAC), effective Aug. 1, 2016.
“All of the paperwork is completed and we are proud to announce that as of August 1, 2016, our newly named and revitalized trade association for the California Almond community became a reality,” said AAC President Kelly Covello.
The transition from the Almond Hullers and Processors Association to the AAC has been a lengthy and deliberate process over the past 18 months with a clear goal, Covello stated. “The Almond Alliance of California is the only trade association fully dedicated to advocating for and protecting our members’ investment in the almond industry. A new focus means we are not the same organization. We continue to value and serve our core members, but our vision and name need to reflect a broader mandate.”
The Board of Directors has adopted a strategic vision of the AAC becoming: “The premier advocate dedicated to the California Almond community.” The AAC will represent and serve growers, hullers/shellers, handlers, processors and allied industry partners. Currently, there is no advocacy group dedicated solely to almonds.
The announcement marks the culmination of more than a year of member consultation and a six-month strategic planning process by the organization’s leadership that drew on the expertise and wisdom of a broad cross-section of the leaders in the California Almond community.
The Almond Board of California (ABC) and its Board of Directors and executive staff assisted in defining the critical issues of concern, mapping out where the two organizations intersect and where they operate independently. Covello explained, “Our Memorandum of Agreement with the Almond Board of California empowers us to pick up where ABC must leave off — advocating at any level of government — utilizing the investment the industry has made in research via the Almond Board to the fullest extent possible.”
AAC Chairman Dick Cunningham said the lengthy strategic planning process was healthy for the organization and the almond community. “It’s crystal clear that the need has never been greater for advocacy on behalf of our multi-billion-dollar industry on issues ranging from fumigants, pesticides and food safety to water and trade,” said Cunningham. “There is a need for a unified advocacy voice and leadership in the California Almond industry. Our leadership firmly believes the time is now to act and ensure the sustainability and future success of the California Almond community.”
As a federal marketing order, The Almond Board of California is specifically prohibited from lobbying, but is able to educate and to provide important research information on a wide range of almond industry issues. Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott applauded the Almond Alliance of California’s new direction and focus. “Both of our organizations are focused squarely on the California Almond community,” he pointed out. “The Almond Board is committed to collaboration and creating a synergy between the two organizations. We look forward to working with the AAC on issues of mutual concern so that we are complementing each other’s unique strengths. ”
The Almond Alliance of California is a trade association representing the interests of the California Almond industry, and includes almond growers, hullers/shellers, and processors. For more information, visit www.almondalliance.org
