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The California Avocado Commission announced that manufacturer Loveland Products agreed to support the SLN registration and DPR quickly approved the much-needed resource.

I Love Produce announced new leadership. Adrian Almeida is the new CEO and Eric Frasse was promoted to president. The International Fresh Produce Association announced the 29th leadership program class. Launched in 1995, more than 330 individuals have participated in the year-long advocacy, communications and leadership development program. 

Dick Peixoto, owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens, was named the 2024 organic grower of the year. Metro announced that François Thibault will retire in the spring of 2025.

Much of the central valley – but especially Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Merced – showed dense pockets of underserved or unserved areas based on Federal Communications Commission data.

California Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross says challenges the state faces – such as an influx of foreign pests and the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza across dairies – offer areas of unique technological opportunity.

Global avocado and fresh produce company Calavo Growers hired Anna Kirsch as director of business development. The California Ag Leadership Foundation honored Carlos Castañeda of San Luis Obispo County and Steve McShane of Monterey County as 2024 Profiles in Leadership Award recipients. 

Church Brothers Farms hired Tracy Carranza as vice president of retail sales. Stephen Farmer is the new chief administrative officer for the Westlands Water District. Westfalia Fruit Group tapped Chris Bush as CEO effective Oct. 28.

During the annual California Economic Summit, public and private leaders in the energy industry emphasized the need for creative innovation across energy sectors.