American Pistachio Growers (APG) recently announced its 15th LeadOn pistachio industry leadership class. Training motivated individuals with vested interest in the success and future of the U.S. pistachio industry, APG has developed this program to prepare the next generation of pistachio industry leaders.
Jeff Anderson of Meridian Growers serves as the new Chair of the LeadOn Committee and shared his enthusiasm for the program. “I feel grateful for my new role as Chair,” he said. “I believe that this course is going to play a more important role for APG moving forward. Our purpose is to develop the next generation of APG leaders and introduce them to the inner workings of our brand. Also, the support team is second to none, and I look forward to the future of the program. I think we have an excellent class this year.”
Interest in this leadership program has grown tremendously over the years, with the largest class ever having graduated in February 2025. In order to refine the course and experience, the LeadOn committee determined to make some changes to the program effective this year. “We capped the class at 18 and will remain that size going forward,” Anderson explained. “We like the smaller and more intimate class size. Another change is a grading system for each application to make it a little more competitive. I’m very excited for what’s to come!”
This year’s LeadOn cohort includes:
Cody Bennett, Mike Woolf Farming
Samuel Dircks, Setton Farms
Nolon Doss, Doss Agricultural Services
Timarie Hansen, Hansen Ranches & McMarketing Company
Carlson Herbert, ECO2MIX, Inc.
Sean Hixson, Western Milling
Seth Kirk, Seth Kirk Farms
Cristian Lazcano, Meridian Growers
Vikram Mann, Diversified Land Management, LLC
Jonathan Martin, Paragon Personnel, Valley Ag Holdings LLC, Rooted Asset Management
Esmeralda Miranda, Western Agricultural Processors Association
Macie Movsesian, Valov Brothers Farms, LP
Michael Pineda, B4M Land Management
Aldo Ramirez, Manulife Investment Management
Silas Rossow, California Ag Solutions
Hannah Scott, Setton Farms
Ricardo Soto, Meridian Growers Processing
Expected to graduate at APG’s 2026 annual Pistachio Industry Conference, this 2025-26 class will meet each month covering topics ranging from pistachio production and processing to marketing, food safety to government relations and advocacy, etc… Learn more about this year’s cohort in the coming issues of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. The monthly “LeadOn Spotlight” column will highlight each of the class members and their commitment to the future of the pistachio industry, as written by Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm, an alumni of the program who serves on the LeadOn Committee. Subscribe to receive the monthly publication HERE.