SALINAS SCENE: EVS Farms' Dennis Donohue announces candidacy for mayor
SALINAS SCENE: EVS Farms' Dennis Donohue announces candidacy for mayor
Dennis Donohue, president of Salinas-based European Vegetable Specialties Farms Inc., has announced his candidacy for mayor of Salinas.
Mr. Donohue is a member of the board of directors of the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. He also is the newly installed chairman of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Produce Marketing Association's foodservice board.
Mr. Donohue, who helped build EVS Farms into one of the larger growers of radicchio in the world, in part sees the position of mayor as an opportunity to promote the area's agribusiness throughout the world.
"Part of the job would be to be an ambassador of the Salinas Valley to the nation and the world," Mr. Donohue said. "I like to tell people that this [Salinas Valley] is the world's biggest garden."
Monterey County has gained recognition in recent years as a quality wine-growing region, and Mr. Donohue believes that Salinas will be a destination area for the wine industry. He points to a downtown Salinas hotel project as a sign that Salinas could be a hub of tourism in addition to its well-established standing in agribusiness.
Mr. Donohue said that the response to his candidacy has been "generally very positive" and that he's receiving "good broad-based support."
Mr. Donohue won the 2005 President's Award from the California Library Association for his work on behalf of the Salinas Public Library. He worked long hours in a crisis situation for the library and played a lead role in last year's successful passage of a tax measure that saved city services -- including the entire library system -- in Salinas.
APMA to hold annual conference in February
The Salinas-based Agricultural Personnel Management Association will hold its 26th annual forum Feb. 22-24 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach, CA. Workshop topics include guest worker legislation, the new heat illness prevention standard, harassment prevention training and a workers' comp update.
To get a registration form for the event, call APMA Executive Director Julia Belliard at 831/422-8023 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Forum registration fees are $315 for APMA members and $385 for nonmembers. There are also other rates for company discounts, one-day attendance rates and bonus programs. Participants must make their own room reservations directly with the Cliffs Resort.
CSC hires PR specialist
The Watsonville, CA-based California Strawberry Commission has hired Carolyn O'Donnell to its communications team as public relations specialist. She will provide support for media relations, industry communications and public outreach.
Ms. O'Donnell has a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from the University of Michigan. She brings a diverse range of experience in marketing, communications and development. Prior to joining the commission, she worked with agencies such as the United Way of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Museum Association, the Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Area Transportation Management Association.
A long-time resident of Santa Cruz County, Ms. O'Donnell serves on the board of directors of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Health Projects Center, the Otter Project and the Pajaro Valley Performing Arts Association. She serves as president of the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus.
Mills 'Wholeaves' receives another honor
Salinas-based Mills Family Farms "Wholeaves" line -- green leaf, red leaf, green cascade mix and Romaine lettuce -- has been named the official lettuce of the 20th anniversary of the Masters of Food & Wine to be held Febr. 16-19 in Carmel, CA.
Celebrated chefs and more than 50 top producing wineries from around the world will gather at the Highlands Inn, Park Hyatt Carmel for this internationally recognized event.
(Contact Western Editor Brian Gaylord at [email protected] or 831/757-4000.)
Mr. Donohue is a member of the board of directors of the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. He also is the newly installed chairman of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Produce Marketing Association's foodservice board.
Mr. Donohue, who helped build EVS Farms into one of the larger growers of radicchio in the world, in part sees the position of mayor as an opportunity to promote the area's agribusiness throughout the world.
"Part of the job would be to be an ambassador of the Salinas Valley to the nation and the world," Mr. Donohue said. "I like to tell people that this [Salinas Valley] is the world's biggest garden."
Monterey County has gained recognition in recent years as a quality wine-growing region, and Mr. Donohue believes that Salinas will be a destination area for the wine industry. He points to a downtown Salinas hotel project as a sign that Salinas could be a hub of tourism in addition to its well-established standing in agribusiness.
Mr. Donohue said that the response to his candidacy has been "generally very positive" and that he's receiving "good broad-based support."
Mr. Donohue won the 2005 President's Award from the California Library Association for his work on behalf of the Salinas Public Library. He worked long hours in a crisis situation for the library and played a lead role in last year's successful passage of a tax measure that saved city services -- including the entire library system -- in Salinas.
APMA to hold annual conference in February
The Salinas-based Agricultural Personnel Management Association will hold its 26th annual forum Feb. 22-24 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach, CA. Workshop topics include guest worker legislation, the new heat illness prevention standard, harassment prevention training and a workers' comp update.
To get a registration form for the event, call APMA Executive Director Julia Belliard at 831/422-8023 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Forum registration fees are $315 for APMA members and $385 for nonmembers. There are also other rates for company discounts, one-day attendance rates and bonus programs. Participants must make their own room reservations directly with the Cliffs Resort.
CSC hires PR specialist
The Watsonville, CA-based California Strawberry Commission has hired Carolyn O'Donnell to its communications team as public relations specialist. She will provide support for media relations, industry communications and public outreach.
Ms. O'Donnell has a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from the University of Michigan. She brings a diverse range of experience in marketing, communications and development. Prior to joining the commission, she worked with agencies such as the United Way of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Museum Association, the Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Area Transportation Management Association.
A long-time resident of Santa Cruz County, Ms. O'Donnell serves on the board of directors of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Health Projects Center, the Otter Project and the Pajaro Valley Performing Arts Association. She serves as president of the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus.
Mills 'Wholeaves' receives another honor
Salinas-based Mills Family Farms "Wholeaves" line -- green leaf, red leaf, green cascade mix and Romaine lettuce -- has been named the official lettuce of the 20th anniversary of the Masters of Food & Wine to be held Febr. 16-19 in Carmel, CA.
Celebrated chefs and more than 50 top producing wineries from around the world will gather at the Highlands Inn, Park Hyatt Carmel for this internationally recognized event.
(Contact Western Editor Brian Gaylord at [email protected] or 831/757-4000.)
