Jun 2, 2025Almond Board of California announces 2025 board election results
The Almond Board of California announced the results of its 2025 board of directors election on June 2, naming industry representatives for key grower and handler positions following voting earlier this year. The nominations have been submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for final approval, with terms beginning Aug. 1.
Independent grower positions
Paul Ewing of Atwater was elected to a 1-year term member for Grower Position #1. Tobin Barth of Esparto will serve as the alternate.
Brandon Rebiero of Modesto was elected to a 3-year term for Grower Position #2. Brad Klump of Escalon will serve as the alternate.
Independent handler positions
Chad DeRose of McFarland will complete the remaining year of the current term for Handler Position #1.
Darren Rigg of Le Grand was elected to a 1-year term as member for Handler Position #2. Dinesh Bajaj of Orland will serve as the alternate.
Cooperative handler position
Laura Gerhard of Sacramento was elected to a 3-year term as member for Co-op Handler Position #1. Mel Machado of Modesto will serve as alternate.
The Independent Handler Position #1 was not up for a full-term election due to a mid-term vacancy. The elected member will serve the remaining year of the current term, with the seat open again in 2026. The alternate position for this seat was not on the ballot.
The Almond Board of California consists of five handler and five grower representatives, each with an alternate. The board is responsible for setting policy and recommending budgets across various areas of the almond industry, including marketing, production research, advertising, public relations, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.
