The Hass Avocado Board (HAB), the agriculture promotion group promoting the consumption of Hass Avocados in the US, has announced the election of a new executive committee, including a new chairman, after the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Sonny Perdue’s appointment of new board members.
Chairman Chris Henry of Del Monte Fresh Produce is stepping down after two years of service in this role, and will be replaced by Scott Bauwens, a California producer of Hass avocados from Paradise Grove.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chairman of the board, and am committed to ensuring the priorities outlined in the five-year strategic plan are being upheld,” said Bauwens. “I am confident our board and staff has the talent, experience and commitment to achieve the goals of driving sustainable demand and consumption of fresh avocados in the US.”
Other executive committee positions have been assigned to: vice-chairman Jorge Hernandez, importer; Treasurer re-elect Laurie Luschei, producer; and Secretary re-elect Javier Medina, importer from Mevi Avocados, Inc.
Looking ahead to 2018, the board said that it would continue to support the vision laid out in its five-year strategic plan aimed at being the catalyst for fresh avocados being the number one consumed fruit in America and industry stakeholders being successful.
“We are pleased to welcome chairman Bauwens and our newest board members, and we are confident they will diligently work toward the goals set forth in our five-year strategic plan,” said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “It’s an exciting time for the avocado industry and we look forward to continuing growth in 2018 and beyond.”
