California Ag Network

Tag: UnitedAg

  • UnitedAg Announces Updates to Executive Leadership Team

     UnitedAg, a healthcare leader for the agricultural industry, announced several changes across its executive leadership team, further positioning the non-profit agricultural association health plan for future growth. The new executive leadership team reflects the strategic importance of UnitedAg’s member-focused approach.

    “UnitedAg’s success is attributed to the talent, culture, and our instinct, sense of empathy for the community we serve,” said Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Our leadership team has been an essential driver in UnitedAg’s strategy and distinction amongst other health plans. I firmly believe that our new leadership team will help us provide more value and better outcomes for our members.”

    Effective April 1st, UnitedAg’s leadership team will include the following appointments:

    Alex Chee has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of UnitedAg. Alex joined UnitedAg in 2020 as the chief technology officer. His vast expertise and skills in data analytics, business intelligence, financial analysis, and deep understanding of the healthcare industry further accelerated his promotion. As executive vice president and chief financial officer, Alex will be responsible for helping UnitedAg achieve financial goals and objectives and increase operating performance.

    Yvonne Park has been named associate general counsel of UnitedAg. Yvonne is an instrumental addition with expansive experience in ERISA fiduciary provisions, DOL investigations, and IRS audits. As associate general counsel, she will oversee all issues related to compliance with PPACA, COBRA, HIPAA, employee assistance programs, and health reimbursement arrangements. Additionally, Yvonne has played a critical role in implementing the new Federal laws and regulations established by the Department of Labor due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Sachin Varma has been named senior director of underwriting of UnitedAg. Sachin comes to UnitedAg with a deep understanding of analytical risk management and pricing and 20 years of underwriting experience in the healthcare space. As senior director of underwriting, Sachin will be responsible for developing new products and services for the agricultural community’s unique needs.

    The new leadership team will continue to reinforce UnitedAg’s vision to provide the best, most affordable, innovative health benefits and services for the agricultural industry.

    About UnitedAg

    UnitedAg is an agricultural trade association created to provide innovative health benefits for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 1,000 agriculture-affiliated member companies and helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interests with lawmakers, helps them comply with legislation and regulation. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Salinas and Santa Maria and wellness centers throughout Central and Northern California. Today, UnitedAg and its association-sponsored health plan has grown to over 220 million in annual contributions and covers more than 55,000 agricultural workers in California and Arizona. For more information, visit www.unitedag.org.

  • UnitedAg Celebrates 40 Years of Ag Healthcare

    UnitedAg is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1980. In celebration of its achievements, UnitedAg will host a series of virtual events throughout the year to share with its members the challenges and milestones of the last 40 years.

    UnitedAg’s CEO and its Board pictured with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

    “Reflecting on the past 40 years, we at UnitedAg are filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. With the help of meaningful relationships, support, and feedback from our membership, we have made an instrumental impact in the Agricultural Healthcare industry in a powerful and meaningful way,” said Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg.

    In 1980, the members of UnitedAg intuitively knew they needed a unique health plan to meet the needs of the agricultural workforce within the state. They sought a health plan that would operate on a non-profit basis, offer a diversity of plan designs, and offer customer service designed to accommodate the needs of the ag employees. These employers created UnitedAg Benefit Trust (an ERISA multiple employer welfare arrangement) that grew from 6 small farms to more than 1,000 companies, associates, cooperatives, and partnering agricultural associations.

    The goal of UnitedAg is to be the most member-centric innovative health benefits provider for agriculture. They believe in always seeking creative ways to improve the healthcare experience of its members. Throughout the years, UnitedAg has developed an array of innovative benefits and services to meet the needs of the ever-changing agricultural industry. Today, UnitedAg proudly represents over 55,000 farmworkers and has grown to over $198 million in annual contributions.

    UnitedAg celebrates the grand opening of its second Health & Wellness Center in Santa Maria.

    “We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each member of our UnitedAg family for your steadfast support. Your individual and collective contributions have played an integral part in our on-going success and impact in the agricultural industry,” said Veronica Urzua-Alvero, Vice-Chair of UnitedAg.

    As UnitedAg kicks off its 40th year, the organization looks back at all that they have achieved for the agricultural industry and look forward to the new opportunities that await:

         •   The 40th Anniversary Virtual Happy Hour – UnitedAg hosted a series of virtual happy hour events as an opportunity for members to network, connect, and share memories.

         •   Anniversary Edition Quarterly Newsletter – This special edition of the Quarterly Newsletter will feature memorable moments throughout the 40 years. The newsletter will be available for members in late July.

         •   Memorable Moments – The anniversary video will look back at UnitedAg’s history as well as feature anniversary wishes from long-standing members.

         •   Annual Silent Auction – Benefiting UnitedAg’s Education Foundation, the virtual silent auction will take place on August 14 through August 20.

         •   The Annual Health Benefits Forum – The annual virtual health forum will take place Thursday, August 20, at 9:00 am. This year marks the 7th anniversary of this special event at which top health industry leaders will present the latest health trends.

         •   CFO Forum – Coming early October, the member-focused forum will feature a panel of financial experts. They will offer advice on what they are seeing, what employers can expect, and what the short and long-term impacts of COVID could be for employers.

    Josephine Goodrich, UnitedAg Founder William C. Goodrich & UnitedAg President/CEO Kirti Mutatkar

    A.J. Cisney, Chairman of UnitedAg said, “I have been so fortunate to be involved with United Ag for the last eight years. To witness such transformational growth while keeping the focus on our members has been fun to watch. The culture of service and innovation is second to none. Simply put, nobody in the industry does it better. The foundation that was laid 40 years ago was strong, and we’ve continued to build on it every year since. It has been my honor to serve as Chairman during such an exciting time. Happy Anniversary United Ag! I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next.”

    About UnitedAg

    UnitedAg, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, is a multi-commodity member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative healthcare solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. Headquartered in Irvine, Ca., UnitedAg is committed to bringing innovative solutions to agribusiness by meeting its member’s employee health benefits needs, advocating for ag with lawmakers, and helping members comply with regulations. For more information, visit www.unitedag.org, Facebook, and Twitter @UnitedAgOrg.

  • Andrew & Williamson/Good Farms, Rancho Guadalupe & Dynasty Farms Support Food Banks

    In one of the first agreements of its kind between California producers and a county food bank, two farms will begin providing, at a reasonable rate, produce to the Alameda County Community Food Bank, allowing it to provide additional much-needed fresh fruit and vegetables to a growing number of residents in need of assistance. This innovative pilot program assists the food banks while keeping the agricultural supply chain together which is critical to the future of food supply.

    “We are excited that our members have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded organizations such as the Alameda County Food Bank who support initiatives like Food as Medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused our efforts on building and supporting the health and wellbeing of our broader communities; ensuring the future of fresh produce plays a paramount role in our efforts. This partnership enables our food supply chain to stay intact and therefore our producers can continue to grow fresh produce at the same level,” says Kirti Mutakar, Chief Executive Officer of UnitedAg.

    “When the COVID-19 crisis hit, and the foodservice operations all came to a standstill overnight, millions of jobs were lost and with it the demand for our produce. To bring more diverse options to the foodbank, and at the same time recover our cost to grow and harvest it, creative solutions were necessary to take care of those who need it most and help keep agriculture whole,” says A.J. Cisney, General Manager of Rancho Guadalupe.

    Deliveries will begin May 5, with nearly 4,000 pounds of strawberries from Andrew & Williamson / Good Farms, Rancho Guadalupe, and over 7,000 crowns of broccoli from Dynasty Farms. These are foods that have not been regularly available at the food banks. The pilot program hopes to expand into the larger state network of food banks (California Association of Food Banks) and increase its product offerings. UnitedAg Member Farms are hopeful this concept will grow into something bigger.

    About UnitedAg

    Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a multi-commodity member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative healthcare solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. Our over 1,000 agriculture affiliated member organizations network and share creative ways to transform our ever-changing industry. UnitedAg strives to bring innovative health benefits and solutions to agribusiness by meeting our member’s employee health benefits needs, advocating for ag with lawmakers and helping members comply with regulations.  Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Oxnard, Corona, Salinas, Fresno and Santa Maria.