American Pistachio Growers (APG) recently announced its 13th LeadOn pistachio industry leadership class. Selecting motivated individuals with vested interest in the success and future of the U.S. pistachio industry, APG has developed this program to prepare the next generation of pistachio industry leaders. This year-long program is designed to provide a unique experience, consisting of leadership training and industry education seminars led by APG and industry leaders, hands-on educational opportunities that build upon the knowledge base provided by seminar presenters, field experience and a firsthand view of how the pistachio Committees/Board work, to prepare participants for leadership service.<
En route to graduate at APG’s annual conference in February 2024, this will be the largest class to go through the program. The LeadOn class this year includes:
-Mindy Cunha, P Cunha Farms
-Phillip Cunha, P Cunha Farms
-Yazmin DeLeon, Horizon Nut Company
-Adrian Diaz, Chandler Automation
-Amarinder Dosanjh, Doaba Farming
-Karandeep Gill, Prestige Ranch LLC
-Carolyn Gleason, West Hills Farm Services
-Matthew Guzman, Sol Aureus Farms
-Martin Herrera, California Ag Solutions
-Udhay Kahlon, RHM Farms
-Mitchell Keenan, Keenan Farms
-Matthew Malcolm, Pacific Nut Producer Magazine
-Amir Pars, Primex International
-Julio Ramos, Setton Farms
-April Ramos, Touchstone Pistachio Company
-Jonathan Romero, Laborde Land Co LLC
-Scott Schuil, Schuil Ag Real Estate
-Jason Searle, Searle Ranch
-Brandon Spain, Manulife Investment Management Farmland Management Services
-Holly Sylvester-Lopez, Horizon Nut Company
-Chase Thomas, Ultra Gro
-Hector Vaca, M&E Vaca Farms
-Jimi Valov, Valov Brothers Farms
-Tyler Zion, Meridian Growers
Pacific Nut Producer is proud to have its Editor-In-Chief, Matthew Malcolm, in the LeadOn program this year. “I have always admired American Pistachio Growers, the organization’s leadership and members,” Malcolm shared. “I’m thrilled to participate with my fellow class members in learning to become a stronger advocate and voice for the western pistachio industry through this program.”
APG convened its 13th LeadOn program at the International Agri-Center in Tulare on March 16th, where APG President, Richard Matoian provided an orientation of the program and overview of the mission of APG, which is to collectively advance the American Pistachio industry through research, promotion, advocacy and programs that directly benefit our members. Following Matoian’s remarks, UCCE Farm Advisor Emeritus Bob Beede spent the rest of the day with the group covering Pistachio Production 101. This was the first of many gatherings for the new LeadOn class. Those going through the program will invest 62-74 hours over the course of a year participating in board/committee meetings, training seminars, industry tours, and of course, APG’s annual Pistachio Industry Conference.
