California Ag Network

Tag: Randy Giumarra

  • California Fresh Fruit Association Hires New Director of Member Services and Communications

    Fresno, California – The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) today announced the hiring of Courtney Razor as its new Director of Member Services and Communications. Mrs. Razor comes to the Association after serving as the Chief Operations Officer for the Fresno County Farm Bureau for the last six and a half years. In her role at the Fresno County Farm Bureau, Mrs. Razor managed their Future Advocates for Agriculture Concerned about Tomorrow (FAACT) program, supported the needs of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and oversaw special event planning.

    The Chairman of the Board for the Association, Randy Giumarra of Giumarra Vineyards Corp., stated, “We are very pleased that Courtney has agreed to become a part of the team at CFFA. Her personal background and education, as well as her extensive experience working for a peer agricultural association, should translate into real value for our membership.” Association President Ian LeMay added, “I have had the pleasure of working with Courtney for a number of years in her role with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and I have always found her to be an articulate and vocal advocate for California agriculture. We believe she is a natural fit, along with our current staff, to continue to bring value to our members and to serve the California fresh fruit industry.”

    Mrs. Razor grew up in Sanger and is the daughter of third-generation fresh fruit farmer Craig Sorensen. She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and journalism along with a certificate in marketing. Her first day at the Association will be Tuesday, September 3rd.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary public policy association that represents growers, packers, and shippers of California table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate and deciduous tree fruit communities. CFFA serves as a public policy representative for these growers, shippers and packers, on issues at both the state and federal levels. More information about the California Fresh Fruit Association can be found at www.cafreshfruit.org.

  • California Fresh Fruit Association Names Ian Lemay New President

    (May 13, 2019 Fresno, CA) – Today, Randy Giumarra, the Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors announced that Ian LeMay will serve as the new president of CFFA. LeMay will succeed GeorgeRadanovich, who has held the position since 2016 and will be leaving CFFA to promote sound ag labor policy inWashington, DC.

    Chairman Giumarra stated “Ian’s appointment is a reflection of our Board’s commitment to establishing long-term leadership for our industry.” Giumarra continued, “Our Board and I have worked closely with Ian over the past four years. We are confident in his abilities and look forward to his leadership. I’d also like to take thisopportunity to thank George for his time, leadership and impact that he has made over the last three years. George’sservice is greatly appreciated by our entire membership.”

    Ian LeMay

    LeMay has dedicated his career to supporting and advocating for the continued success of California agriculture. Since 2015, LeMay has served as CFFA’s Director of Member Relations and Communications. From 2011 to 2015, LeMay served as the District Director for Congressman Jim Costa who represents California’s 16th. Congressional District. As District Director, LeMay managed the Congressman’s district staff and advised theCongressman on a number of issues including agriculture, water and transportation. Prior to working for Congressman Costa, LeMay worked as a California Market Specialist for the Lindsay Corporation. LeMay is arecent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).

    “I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the members of the California Fresh Fruit Association in a new capacity,” said LeMay. “I came to the Association four years ago because I believe in its mission, deeply respect its history and see infinite potential in advocating for the permanent fresh fruit growers and shippers of California. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe two great Association leaders in Barry Bedwell and George Radanovich, and thank them for their commitment to bettering our industry. The challenges that face us are many. These have not been easy years for our industry, but I remainconfident in the future of California agriculture and our opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy with aunified voice.”

    LeMay will begin his tenure as CFFA President on June 1st. Ian and his wife Molly reside in Fresno with their two children, Emery Rose and Ellison James, and will welcome their third child this August.

    ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

    For more than eighty (80) years the California Fresh Fruit Association has been the primary government relations organization serving the fresh fruit industry. It is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members. The challenges are. countless for growers, shippers and marketers as they strive to remain viable in an ever-changing market. Increasing regulatory requirements make it difficult to flourish, regardless of the size of the operation.

    The Association’s dedicated staff advocates daily in the best interest of our members to ensure that regulators and legislators are using sound science and accurate information when considering laws or rules that will be imposedon industry members. However, aside from the variety of issues the Association works on, there is an important networking component. As each company has its own business interest, the membership as a whole shares acommon, vested interest in the long-term health of tree fruit, fresh grape and berry communities in California.