Bakersfield Table Grape Grower Named Chief of California Fresh Fruit Association
March 28, 2018 
Kathleen Nave, left, President of the California Table Grape Commission, receives a special award at the California Fresh Fruit Association’s annual meeting from CFFA President George Radanovich.
The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) kicked off its new fiscal year this week during their 82nd Annual Meeting in Pebble Beach, CA. The event featured the election of the Board of Directors and Chairman, as well as industry and committee updates.
The Board of Directors is made up of 46 men and women from operations located from as far south as Coachella Valley to as far north as Lake County. Randy Giumarra, Giumarra Vineyards, was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The organization’s officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. The full slate of officers includes:
CHAIR: Randy Giumarra, Giumarra Vineyards, Bakersfield-based fresh grape and tree fruit shipper
FIRST VICE CHAIR: Kevin Herman, The Specialty Crop Company, Madera-based fresh fig, pomegranate, and persimmon shipper
SECOND VICE CHAIR: Wayde Kirschenman, Kirschenman Enterprises, Kern County-based diversified farming operation
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol, Pandol Bros., Inc., Delano-based fresh grape shipper
CFFA saluted Harold McClarty of HMC Farms for his two years as chairman. CFFA’s board meets three times a year to take action on regulatory and legislative issues at the state, federal and international level.
CFFA honored Kathleen Nave, President/CEO of the California Table Grape Commission, with the prestigious Mentor’s Award, which is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry.
Nave, through her work at the commission, has overseen strong commodity growth for the California table grape industry during her 19 years as president. The Mentor’s Award was first awarded in 1966 to Mr. Martin Zaninovich of Jasmine Vineyards, Inc. An awardee is selected by the Association’s Mentors’ Committee and a recipient is selected based on the following criteria: a trusted counselor or guide; a wise, loyal advisor; a tutor, coach, teacher; and a person who, through effort, discovery, innovation, dedication, and/or perseverance, has influenced the industry in a positive way.
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