Grower-Shipper Association of Central California names new chairman
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California names new chairman
SALINAS, CA -- Kay Filice, owner of Filice Farms in Hollister, was named chairman of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California at its annual awards banquet Thursday, May 17, held at Corral de Tierra Country Club.
The award marks the first time in the association's 77-year history that a woman has ascended to the role. Ms. Filice served as vice chairman of the association for 2006-07.
Ms. Filice said that like the association's outgoing chairman, Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms, she enters the role at a tumultuous time with several ongoing issues, such as labor shortages, water issues and food safety, gaining increasing attention.
"It's our obligation to articulate our story," Ms. Filice said, adding that the public at large isn't always aware of the many facets of farming. "It's important to tell Americans that for the first time, we're (California leafy greens handlers) subject to mandatory assessments. The whole produce industry is under a microscope." She pointed to immigration reform as a national issue that is garnering intense scrutiny.
While she hopes that her year as chairman will be less tumultuous than the past year, she said that "Joe [Pezzini] and Jim [Bogart, Grower-Shipper Association's president and secretary) did a great job" as spokesmen for the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
Largely as a result of the E. coli outbreak in spinach in September, Mr. Pezzini found himself serving as a spokesman to both local and national media on behalf of the association. Ms Filice said that while she doesn't have experience working with the media in that guise, she's aware that in addition to Mr. Bogart serving as spokesman, she too may be called upon to represent the association to the media in her new role.
Mr. Bogart referred to Ms. Filice's becoming the first woman in the association's history to hold the role of chairman as a "great moment, a watershed moment" for the association, adding that Ms. Filice is "ready, willing and able" to step into the role.
In addition to Ms. Filice, the association's other members of its board of directors for 2007-08 are Nick Azcona of Azcona Harvesting LLC, Rodney Braga of Braga Ranch, Steve Church of Church Brothers LLC, Andrew Cumming of Metz Fresh LLC, Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialties, Sammy Duda of Duda California, Will Feliz of River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, Ken Higashi of Easton Enterprises Inc., Lorri Koster of Mann Packing Co. Inc., David Martella of Martella Farming Co., Bill Moncovich of California Giant Inc. and Mr. Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms, the board's outgoing chairman.
The board's officers for 2007-08 are Bill Moncovich, treasurer; Dennis Donohue, vice chairman; Ms. Filice, chairman; and Mr. Bogart, who remains president and secretary of the association.
Robert Nunes Sr. of The Nunes Co. Inc. in Salinas was named recipient of the E.E. (Gene) Harden Award for lifetime achievement. He was not present at the meeting but will formally receive the award next month.
The award marks the first time in the association's 77-year history that a woman has ascended to the role. Ms. Filice served as vice chairman of the association for 2006-07.
Ms. Filice said that like the association's outgoing chairman, Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms, she enters the role at a tumultuous time with several ongoing issues, such as labor shortages, water issues and food safety, gaining increasing attention.
"It's our obligation to articulate our story," Ms. Filice said, adding that the public at large isn't always aware of the many facets of farming. "It's important to tell Americans that for the first time, we're (California leafy greens handlers) subject to mandatory assessments. The whole produce industry is under a microscope." She pointed to immigration reform as a national issue that is garnering intense scrutiny.
While she hopes that her year as chairman will be less tumultuous than the past year, she said that "Joe [Pezzini] and Jim [Bogart, Grower-Shipper Association's president and secretary) did a great job" as spokesmen for the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
Largely as a result of the E. coli outbreak in spinach in September, Mr. Pezzini found himself serving as a spokesman to both local and national media on behalf of the association. Ms Filice said that while she doesn't have experience working with the media in that guise, she's aware that in addition to Mr. Bogart serving as spokesman, she too may be called upon to represent the association to the media in her new role.
Mr. Bogart referred to Ms. Filice's becoming the first woman in the association's history to hold the role of chairman as a "great moment, a watershed moment" for the association, adding that Ms. Filice is "ready, willing and able" to step into the role.
In addition to Ms. Filice, the association's other members of its board of directors for 2007-08 are Nick Azcona of Azcona Harvesting LLC, Rodney Braga of Braga Ranch, Steve Church of Church Brothers LLC, Andrew Cumming of Metz Fresh LLC, Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialties, Sammy Duda of Duda California, Will Feliz of River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, Ken Higashi of Easton Enterprises Inc., Lorri Koster of Mann Packing Co. Inc., David Martella of Martella Farming Co., Bill Moncovich of California Giant Inc. and Mr. Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms, the board's outgoing chairman.
The board's officers for 2007-08 are Bill Moncovich, treasurer; Dennis Donohue, vice chairman; Ms. Filice, chairman; and Mr. Bogart, who remains president and secretary of the association.
Robert Nunes Sr. of The Nunes Co. Inc. in Salinas was named recipient of the E.E. (Gene) Harden Award for lifetime achievement. He was not present at the meeting but will formally receive the award next month.
