Growers, check your mail for ballots to select two independent grower member and alternate positions and one independent handler member and alternate positions for the Almond Board of California (ABC). Those in these positions will serve as directors for ABC, with terms beginning on March 1, 2016.
Candidates for the independent grower positions are:
Position One, Member (one-year term):
Dave Phippen, Manteca (incumbent)
Position One, Alternate:
Brad Klump, Escalon (incumbent)
Position Two, Member (three-year):
Brian Wahlbrink, Waterford (petitioner)
Dick Cunningham, Hughson (petitioner)
Position Two, Alternate
Bill Harp, Bakersfield (petitioner)
Candidates for the independent handler positions:
Position Three, Member (one-year term):
Dinesh Bajaj, Orland (petitioner)
Position Three, Alternate
Joel Perkins, Coalinga (petitioner)
Ballots and instructions have been mailed to all independent growers whose names are on file with ABC. The Almond Board must receive ballots by Feb. 11, 2016, in order to be counted. If an independent grower does not receive a ballot, one may be obtained by contacting Sue Olson at (209) 343-3224.
As a governing body for the industry, the ABC Board of Directors is composed of five handler and five grower representatives who set policy and recommend budgets in several major areas, which are production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.
