California Grape & Tree Fruit League Elects New Chairman
March 27, 2014 The California Grape & Tree Fruit League (CGTFL) kicked off their new fiscal year this week at their 78th Annual Meeting in Ojai, CA. The event featured the election of the new Board of Directors and Chairman, as well as the honoring of a longtime CGTFL and agricultural industry support George Soares with the prestigious Mentor’s Award.
The Board of Directors is made up of 50 men and women from operations located from as far south as Coachella Valley with fresh table grape vineyards, to as far north as Lake County with pear production. David Jackson (Family Tree Farms) was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 2014-15 fiscal year. The organization’s officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. The full slate of officers includes:
• Chairman: David Jackson (Family Tree Farms) — Reedley-based tree fruit and berry shipper;
• First Vice Chairman: Harold McClarty (HMC Farms) — Kingsburg-based tree fruit and fresh grape shipper;
• Second Vice Chairman: Randy Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards) — Bakersfield-based fresh grape shipper; and
• Secretary/Treasurer: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) — Delano-based fresh grape shipper.
The three new members who have joined the Board of Directors are: Ralph Hacket of Dayka & Hackett, LLC (Reedley); Wayde Kirschenman of Kirschenman Enterprises Inc. (Edison); and Chiles Wilson of Rivermaid Trading Company (Lodi). The League’s Board meets on a quarterly basis to take action on regulatory and legislative issues at the state, federal, and international level.
The League also honored George Soares of Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP (KSC) with the prestigious Mentor’s Award, which is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry. Soares and his firm have served as CGTFL’s lobbyist for many years and have been responsible for drafting and influencing thousands of legislative and regulatory proposals affecting the agricultural industry. Louie Brown, a partner with KSC and who manages groups like CGTFL for the company, introduced and presented the award to Soares.
The Mentor’s Award was first awarded in 1966 to Mr. Martin Zaninovich of Jasmine Vineyards, Inc. An awardee is selected by the League’s Mentors’ Committee and a recipient is selected based on the following criteria: a trusted counselor or guide; a wise, loyal advisor; a tutor, coach, teacher; and a person who, through effort, discovery, innovation, dedication, and/or perseverance, has influenced the industry in a positive way.
Source: California Grape & Tree Fruit League
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