(Santa Barbara, CA) – The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) kicked off their new fiscal year
yesterday during the Annual Membership Meeting at their 83rd Annual Meeting in Santa Barbara,
California. The event featured the election of the Board of Directors and Chairman, as well as industry and
committee updates.
The Board of Directors is made up of 44 men and women from operations located from as far south as Coachella Valley to as far north as Lake County. Randy Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards) was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 2019/20 fiscal year. The organization’s officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. The full slate of officers includes:
CHAIR: Randy Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards) – Bakersfield-based fresh grape and tree fruit shipper
FIRST VICE CHAIR: Kevin Herman (The Specialty Crop Company) – Madera-based fresh fig,
pomegranate, and persimmon shipper
SECOND VICE CHAIR: Wayde Kirschenman (Kirschenman Enterprises) – Kern County-based diversified
farming operation
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) – Delano-based fresh grape shipper
The Association honored Kent Stephens, CFO of Marko Zaninovich, Inc., with the prestigious Mentor’s
Award, which is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape,
berry and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry. Stephens, through his work in both
the table grape industry and water advocacy, has made an immensely positive impact on California
agriculture over his forty year career. The Mentor’s Award was first awarded in 1966 to Mr. Martin
Zaninovich of Jasmine Vineyards, Inc. An awardee is selected by the Association’s Mentors’ Committee
and a recipient is selected based on the following criteria: a trusted counselor or guide; a wise, loyal advisor;
a tutor, coach, teacher; and a person who, through effort, discovery, innovation, dedication, and/or perseverance, has influenced the industry in a positive way.
Prior to the Annual Membership Meeting, the Annual Industry Workshop featured key note speakers Mr.
Ruben Navarrette and Mr. John Manzella. Both speakers delivered passionate messages about the issues
of immigration and trade wars, as well as many other issues that are impacting the future of California agriculture and what our industry must do to be prepared.