California Citrus Mutual (CCM) welcomed approximately 350 growers, industry partners and supporters to its 49th Annual Meeting on Nov. 4. The evening brought together members of California’s citrus industry to celebrate the organization’s long-standing service to growers, recognize outstanding industry members, and look ahead to the future.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of three awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and dedication to the citrus industry:
Board Service Recognition – John Crowe: Honored for his 11 years of dedicated service on CCM’s Board of Directors and his contributions to the organization. As a former U.S. Army Major General, attorney, and citrus grower, John always brought a unique and thoughtful perspective to the board.
Associate Member of the Year – David Nielsen, Nielsen Insurance: Recognized for his longstanding commitment to CCM and his involvement in the Associate Member Program since its inception. Nielsen Insurance has consistently been among the first to step forward in supporting CCM’s events, programs, and initiatives, demonstrating a continued dedication to the organization and California’s citrus industry.
Industry Leadership Award – James Gorden: Recognized for his leadership, dedication, and contributions to California’s citrus industry, particularly in the area of integrated pest management. His service over the years has included leadership roles on the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee, the Alliance of Pest Control Districts, and the Citrus Research Board, among others.
The event also marked CCM’s first Annual Meeting under new President and CEO Tom Danowski, who addressed attendees and shared his perspective on the organization’s priorities and opportunities moving forward. Danowski emphasized the importance of industry collaboration and CCM’s continued commitment to advocating for California citrus growers.
“The Annual Meeting is an opportunity to bring our industry together, recognize those who have made meaningful contributions, and reaffirm our commitment to the growers we represent,” said Danowski. “We are grateful for the continued engagement and support of our members and industry partners as we work to strengthen the future of California citrus.”
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CCM extends its appreciation to everyone who attended and to our various sponsors who helped make the 49th Annual Meeting a success.
— Story contributed by California Citrus Mutual