Washington Tree Fruit Associations Merge

An idea that has been percolating in the Washington tree fruit industry for years has just about come to fruition, as the Transition Board of Directors of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) has named Jon DeVaney as president.

The soon-to-be consolidated industry organization will be formed from the merger of the Washington State Horticultural Association (WSHA), Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association (YVGSA), Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association (WVTA) and Washington Growers Clearing House Association (WGCH).

Jon DeVaney

Jon DeVaney

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DeVaney currently heads the YVGSA. He has long been considered to have the inside track to lead the new organization because of his political background and the fact he is the only one of the leaders of the four organizations who will not be soon retiring.

“I’m really honored with being entrusted with bringing these four organizations together into one united association,” DeVaney said.

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A Sept. 1 target date has been set to complete the necessary filings, hire staff and commence operations. Elections for a permanent 13-person Board of Directors will be held this fall and the elected board will take office at the annual meeting Dec.1-3 in Kennewick, WA. That was to have been the first meeting in the century-old WSHA’s history to be held outside of either Wenatchee or Yakima, noted WSHA Executive Director Bruce Grim. Now it’s not certain if it will be the last meeting of the WSHA or the first meeting of the WSTFA.

“There may be two logos on the program,” he said with a chuckle, “we’re not sure.”

Time For A Change
In any case, it was clear the time had come for a change, Grim said, noting that the clearinghouses were formed decades ago when growers were getting price offers out in their orchards, and realized they needed to share information.

“If you look at the industry as it looks today, would you go out and create four organizations? The answer is clearly ‘No,’” he said, “you’d create one.”

By having one organization, you avoid duplication of services, which is not only less effective, it’s a waste of money. For example, both the WSHA and the YVGSA have lobbyists in Olympia, the state capital. Legislators aren’t always certain who speaks with the voice of the industry, Grim said.

“It not only doesn’t make sense,” he said, “going forward, we’ll have a greater clarity of message in Olympia.”

The new organization is simply going the way of the fruit industry and the American economy in general, said DeVaney.

“It’s all about delivering high quality production and keeping costs down,” he said. “The industry’s associations should be doing the same thing that our members have to do.”

Making The Transition
The Transition Board is comprised of two members appointed by each of the merging organizations as well as their executive directors, who serve in an ex-officio capacity. Board members are: Steve Zediker and Jeff Cleveringa, WSHA; David Smeltzer and West Mathison, WVTA; Sean Gilbert and Jon Alegria, YVGSA; and Mark Stennes and Sam Godwin, WGCH.

The formation of WSTFA follows 2½ years of effort geared towards creation of a more streamlined entity for both current and future industry needs. DeVaney said this measured approach has allowed for member and industry input and debate while affording full transparency to the process.

The WSTFA Board is committed to a seamless transition with no interruption of data or services to the membership and industry supporters, said DeVaney, who added that there could be some reduction in costs for growers, depending on the number of organizations to which they currently belong.

DeVaney has served as executive director of the YVGSA since 2009. In this capacity he oversees the association’s data collection and reporting on the movement, holdings and marketing of tree fruit as well as representing member growers and packers on legislative and regulatory issues at the state and local levels.

Prior to joining the YVGSA, DeVaney served as Washington State Director of USDA Rural Development in the Bush Administration, as a staff member for Congressman Doc Hastings, and as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the Northwest Horticultural Council. DeVaney has a B.A. from the University of Washington and an M.A. from Georgetown University. He resides in Yakima with his wife and two sons.

 

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