Washington, DC - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of nine individuals to serve on the Hass Avocado Board.
Members and alternates newly appointed to serve three-year terms are:
- David Fausset, Camarillo, California
- Bob Schaar, Fallbrook, California
- Charley Wolk, Fallbrook, California
- Gahl Crane, Long Beach, California
- Scott Bauwens, Newbury Park, California
- Paul Romero, Ventura, California
- Aaron Hernan Acosta, McAllen, Texas
- Elizabeth G. Ayala, Mission, Texas
Dave Billings, Irvine, Calif., is appointed to serve a two-year term to fill a seat that has been vacant since February 2018.
“The Hass Avocado Board plays a very important role developing markets and uses for a projected volume of more than 2.4 billion avocados in the U.S. marketplace,” said Perdue. “The Hass avocado industry will be well served by these appointees’ keen knowledge and experience.”
The Board is made up of 12 members, including seven producers, two importers, and three producers or importers that serve in swing seats. Board members and alternates are nominated by their industry and appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity.