November 30, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of eight members to the Hass Avocado Board.
Two producers, two producer alternates, two importers and one importer alternate were appointed to serve three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2024. An importer was appointed to fill one vacant importer alternate seat and to serve the remainder of the term which expires on October 31, 2022.
Newly appointed members and alternates are:
James Johnson, Westlake Village, California (Producer Member)
Marquis Vawter, Laguna Niguel, California (Producer Member)
Byron James Talley, Arroyo Grande, California (Producer Alternate)
Ivor Van Wingerden, Carpinteria, California (Producer Alternate)
Aaron Hernan Acosta, Mission, Texas (Importer Member)
Maria DeSarbo, Branford, Connecticut (Importer Member)
Elizabeth G. Ayala, Pharr, Texas (Importer Alternate)
Chris Henry, Escondido, California (Importer Alternate)
The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage.
AMS policy is that diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of its industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
