California Prune Board Set to Grow With New Leadership

The California Prune Board has officially seated its 22-member board and 15 alternates for the 2026-2028 term. Following certification of the election by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the new board serves as the governing body responsible for directing investments and programs that support market development, research, and industry competitiveness.

CPB officers and members will serve a two-year term. The officers are:

• Chair: Brendon Flynn, Pacific Farms, Gerber
• Vice Chair: Mike Vereschagin, Vereschagin Farms, Orland
• Secretary: Brian Dunning, ShoEi Foods, Olivehurst
• Treasurer: Rajiv Davit, Davit Ranches, Yuba City

“We are operating in an increasingly dynamic business environment and those of us in the California prune industry are committed to staying competitive amid rising costs, increasing global competition and uncertainty in the marketplace,” notes Flynn, a Sunsweet grower. “We have a dedicated group working together to protect the California advantage and strengthen the future of our industry.”

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Guided by input from across the industry, the board directs essential activities within California Prune Board’s strategic priority areas and approves funding for the next fiscal year to continue investments including consumer marketing, export market development, nutrition and production research, and key industry initiatives.

California Prune Board members for the term Aug. 1, 2026 – May 31, 2028

Independent Producers – Members	Independent Producers – Alternates
Mike Vereschagin John Friend Sandra Mitchell David Wohletz Matt Bozzo Ranvir Singh Nick Cubre	Richard Conte Ryan Dulai Harman Gosal Sukhvinder Sidhu
Independent Processor – Members	Independent Processors – Alternates
George Sousa (Mariani Packing Co.) Jaswant Bains (Sacramento Packing Co.) Brian Dunnings (ShoEi Foods, USA) Sekul Spaich (California Packing)	Steve Sousa (Mariani) Satpaul S. Bains (Sacramento Packing Co.) Blane Sannar (Cal Fruit Int’l) Josh Brooks (California Packing)
Co-op Producer (Sunsweet) – Members	Co-op Producer (Sunsweet) – Alternates
Bob Amarel Rajeev Davit Phillip Filter Brendon Flynn Gary Thiara Mike Turkovich James Strong	Jay Thiara Scott Workman John Amarel
Co-op Processor (Sunsweet) – Members	Co-op Processor (Sunsweet) – Alternates
Stephanie Harralson Brad Schuler Jeff McLemore	Cor van den Berg Jacob Pittman Harold Upton
Public – Member	Public – Alternate
Maxwell Norton	Emily Rooney

 

For more information, visit californiaprunes.org.