The California Walnut Commission is announcing its newly elected commission board members who will serve two-year terms beginning Sept. 1, 2025, and ending Aug. 31, 2027. The commission’s board consists of eight producer members and four handler members, as well as alternates for each seat. For this upcoming term, seven new individuals will be joining the board as noted below.
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DISTRICT 1 |
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Producer Member: Jay Colombini, Linden |
Producer Alternate: Jack Vickery, Winters |
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Producer Member: Ashley DeValentine McKenzie, Rio Oso |
Producer Alternate: Donald Norene, Rio Oso |
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Producer Member: R. Davin Norene, Woodland |
Producer Alternate: Henry Gilbert, Wheatland (New) |
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Producer Member: Kali Dittrich, Clements (New) |
Producer Alternate: John Heier, Live Oak (New) |
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DISTRICT 2 |
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Producer Member: Darrell Cordova, Denair |
Producer Alternate: Gordon Heinrich, Modesto |
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Producer Member: Andrew Souza, Crows Landing (New) |
Producer Alternate: Gurjant Khosa, Fowler |
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Producer Member: Neil Jolliff, Modesto (New) |
Producer Alternate: Open |
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Producer Member: Everett Souza Jr, Crows Landing (New) |
Producer Alternate: Open |
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HANDLERS |
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Handler Member: Brian Dunning, Olivehurst |
Handler Alternate: Jeffrey Sleeper, Orland |
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Handler Member: Jack Mariani, Winters |
Handler Alternate: William Carriere, Glen |
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Handler Member: Charles R. Crain Jr., Los Molinos |
Handler Alternate: William Crain, Los Molinos |
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Handler Member: Christopher Cromwell, Stockton (New) |
Handler Alternate: Matt Langford, Stockton |
“Our new commission board members represent the next generation of leadership for California Walnuts,” said Robert Verloop,Executive Director and CEO of the California Walnut Commission. “Their expertise, vision, and dedication will be key as we work to grow global demand, support innovation and ultimately drive grower prosperity.”
Commission board members will help advance the strategic priorities outlined in the industry’s strategic plan. These include delivering the best quality California walnuts; international trade and consumer marketing, supporting global retail and foodservice sales; fostering walnut innovation; defining sustainability as a point of differentiation; and conducting nutrition and health research and more.
About the California Walnut Commission
The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes the usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research associated with consuming walnuts.
To explore recipes and learn more about California walnut growers, industry information and health research, visit walnuts.org.