This October marks not only the start of Starr Ranch Growers Harvest Season but also brings the announcement of the retirement of longtime Director of Marketing, Scott Marboe.

In September, the nine-member Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) elected four new officers to Board of Directors, serving a two-year term from 2021 through 2023.  Pedro Aguilar of

Taylor Farms hired former Ocean Mist Farms CEO Joe Pezzini as its senior director of agricultural operations, effective Oct. 11.

The California Avocado Commission promoted Angela Fraser to director of trade and legal affairs. Fraser, who has worked for the commission for 21 years, will provide oversight and management of corporate legal affairs. She also will continue to lead the strategy, planning, production, execution and budget of the California Avocado Commission’s nutrition program.

John McClung, former president and CEO of the Texas Produce Association (predecessor to TIPA), died Saturday, Oct. 2 in South Texas. Mr. McClung was a leader not only for the Texas produce industry, but for all of fresh produce. Even a decade after his retirement, Mr. McClung is still remembered for his many great achievements during the course of his career. 

Natalia Wallenberg has joined Ahold Delhaize as chief human resources officer. Wallenberg comes from Syngenta Group, a global agricultural technology business with more than 49,000 associates, working across 90 geographic markets, generating $23 billion in sales.