Feb 3, 2025Almond Board of California announces 2025 Leadership Program class
The Almond Board of California (ABC) has named 18 professionals to its 2025 Almond Leadership Program, a yearlong initiative aimed at developing future industry leaders.
Sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, the program includes participants from various sectors, including growers, processors, agronomists and sales representatives. The class was selected from more than 40 applicants and will engage in industry-focused training while continuing their current roles.
“This 2025 class is outstanding. They are bright, accomplished, and they care about our industry,” said Rebecca Bailey, ABC senior specialist overseeing the program. “This program helps great people become great leaders and our industry continues to see the huge benefits from 16 years of this program. We are certain these 18 people will continue to be great assets and advocates for the almond industry.”
Launched in 2009, the program has graduated 244 industry members, many of whom now serve on workgroups, committees and the board of directors. Participants receive mentorship from industry veterans and gain insight into key areas such as global marketing, food safety and regulatory issues. Each class member will also complete a self-directed project aimed at improving the almond industry.
The leadership class has also pledged to raise more than $25,000 for California FFA scholarships, continuing a tradition that has generated over $320,000 for students pursuing agricultural careers.
Mentor Christine Gemperle, a grower and ABC board member, emphasized the importance of guiding new leaders. “Being a mentor gives me the chance to pass along not just what I’ve learned in the last 25 years as a farmer and a conservation biologist but the new challenges we face every year,” she said. “I believe this next generation of industry leaders has the ability to take that knowledge and grow an even better future for California almonds.”
2025 Almond Leadership class members
The 2025 Almond Leadership class members are:
- Arik Bains, a pest control advisor with Wilbur Ellis
- Cristal Da Silveria, a plant and food safety supervisor with Grizzly Nut
- Katie Driver, a technical service manager with UPL
- Raquel Gomez, a technical agronomist with Brandt
- Zach Harcksen, a pest control advisor with Mid Valley Agricultural Services
- Evan Koftinow, an operations manager with RPAC
- Laine LaGrande, a product and system specialist of high value crops with John Deere
- Brenden Lusk, an ag realtor with Real Broker
- Joseph McManus, a farm manager with Wilson Ag
- Luis Mendoza, a sales representative with Syngenta
- Rajan Nagra, a sales representative with Flory Industries/COE Orchard Equipment
- Crystal Nay, the managing editor of Modern Ag Media
- Ricky Robledo, a sales manager with TRECE Inc
- Kiki Sandrini, a regional sales manager with Chandler Automation
- Ranvir Tung, the general manager of Tung Corporation
- Elizabeth Vander Weide, a supply chain analyst for Blue Diamond Growers
- Jake Wiley, a sales manager with ProFarm Group
- Bobbie Williams, a clinical dietitian and almond grower with Sutter Memorial Medical Center in Modesto and WMD Farms
The class began its training with a two-day orientation at the almond board’s Modesto offices, which included talks with their mentors and remarks from ABC CEO Clarice Turner.
