Washington Apple Commission sees change at the top
Washington Apple Commission sees change at the top
The Washington Apple Commission voted Aug. 4 to appoint Ken Severn as its interim president. This follows the commission's action to place David Carlson, who served as president of the commission for five years, on administrative leave, effective Sept. 1.
Details about Mr. Carlson's removal as president have been slow to emerge. Personnel matters are protected under Washington's confidentiality guidelines. As a result, detailed background information about the board's decision is not available to the general public.
The vote by the commission's board of directors to place Mr. Carlson on leave took place July 30. The board is composed of a total of 14 members, 13 of whom are appointed by the Washington Department of Agriculture and represent apple growers, shippers and marketing agents from Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Okanogan and Yakima counties. A representative of the department holds the 14th seat on the board.
Mr. Carlson is the owner of South 80 Orchard in Wapato, WA. Under the terms of the WAC contract, he served at the pleasure of the board.
The motion to place Mr. Carlson on leave was made by Commissioner Mike Hambleton, and commissioners George Allan, Jay Fullbright, Murray Michael, Brian Sand, Richard Thomason, Barbara Walkenhauer voted to support the motion. Commissioner Frank Davis voted against the motion, and Commissioner Cragg Gilbert -- chairman of the board -- did not vote.
Commissioner Janet Leister, the voting member from the state's department of agriculture, abstained. Commissioners Dale Foreman, Eric Hansen, Dalton Thomas and Mark Zirkle were not present at the meeting.
Commissioners Zirkle and Thomas were appointed to head the search effort for a new president.
The board initiated a strategic planning process last winter. The effort has focused on ways in which the commission can reduce costs, especially by not duplicating work already being performed by other industry organizations. Although details were not disclosed, it was indicated a change at the helm of the commission would facilitate this process in the coming months.
This is Mr. Severn's second stint as interim president, having previously served in that role for four months in 2000. He said that he does not have plans to remain in the position permanently. Mr. Severn is a native of Yakima with extensive experience in the tree fruit industry.
Meanwhile, speculation continues about the reasons for Mr. Carlson's removal. In a prepared statement, Commissioner Leister said, "There was no question whatsoever of any improprietary or illegal activity."
The commission promotes apple exports and recently approved an $8.3 million budget to support its marketing activities, which are funded through an assessment of 3.5 cents per 40-pound box of apples. This past December, a referendum raising the assessment was defeated by industry members.
Details about Mr. Carlson's removal as president have been slow to emerge. Personnel matters are protected under Washington's confidentiality guidelines. As a result, detailed background information about the board's decision is not available to the general public.
The vote by the commission's board of directors to place Mr. Carlson on leave took place July 30. The board is composed of a total of 14 members, 13 of whom are appointed by the Washington Department of Agriculture and represent apple growers, shippers and marketing agents from Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Okanogan and Yakima counties. A representative of the department holds the 14th seat on the board.
Mr. Carlson is the owner of South 80 Orchard in Wapato, WA. Under the terms of the WAC contract, he served at the pleasure of the board.
The motion to place Mr. Carlson on leave was made by Commissioner Mike Hambleton, and commissioners George Allan, Jay Fullbright, Murray Michael, Brian Sand, Richard Thomason, Barbara Walkenhauer voted to support the motion. Commissioner Frank Davis voted against the motion, and Commissioner Cragg Gilbert -- chairman of the board -- did not vote.
Commissioner Janet Leister, the voting member from the state's department of agriculture, abstained. Commissioners Dale Foreman, Eric Hansen, Dalton Thomas and Mark Zirkle were not present at the meeting.
Commissioners Zirkle and Thomas were appointed to head the search effort for a new president.
The board initiated a strategic planning process last winter. The effort has focused on ways in which the commission can reduce costs, especially by not duplicating work already being performed by other industry organizations. Although details were not disclosed, it was indicated a change at the helm of the commission would facilitate this process in the coming months.
This is Mr. Severn's second stint as interim president, having previously served in that role for four months in 2000. He said that he does not have plans to remain in the position permanently. Mr. Severn is a native of Yakima with extensive experience in the tree fruit industry.
Meanwhile, speculation continues about the reasons for Mr. Carlson's removal. In a prepared statement, Commissioner Leister said, "There was no question whatsoever of any improprietary or illegal activity."
The commission promotes apple exports and recently approved an $8.3 million budget to support its marketing activities, which are funded through an assessment of 3.5 cents per 40-pound box of apples. This past December, a referendum raising the assessment was defeated by industry members.
