MISSION VIEJO, CA - The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is proud to welcome the fifth cohort of its Board Leadership Development Program, who were accepted at the end of March. This year, interest in the program reached a new high, with 36 applications submitted and robust support from avocado associations and commissions eager to sponsor promising candidates.

The 13-member BOLD Class 5 represents a cross-section of the global avocado supply chain, including producers and importers eligible for future board service. Through this immersive, yearlong curriculum, participants will gain the insights, tools, and confidence necessary to actively contribute as the next generation of board members, bringing their expertise, energy, and commitment to serve the broader avocado community.

The program’s success is already evident: Nineteen alumni from the first four BOLD classes have served or are currently serving on avocado industry boards, and an additional four candidates are actively participating in current nomination and election processes. These milestones underscore BOLD’s vital role in cultivating informed and engaged individuals equipped to make meaningful contributions across the supply chain.

“BOLD is working, and with fifty program graduates, we anticipate BOLD graduates will be volunteering their time on avocado board service for years to come,” remarked John McGuigan, Director of Industry Affairs for the Hass Avocado Board, in the recent release.

This opportunity is made possible through the generous sponsorships of avocado industry associations. Their investment plays a vital role in cultivating the future leadership of the avocado industry. Through the BOLD program, this support ensures the development of knowledgeable, skilled, and confident individuals who are fully prepared to serve as effective, board-ready candidates. These emerging leaders are equipped to contribute meaningfully to organizations such as the Hass Avocado Board, California Avocado Commission, and the various importer associations, helping to guide the industry’s continued growth and success.

HAB is pleased to announce the thirteen participants of BOLD Class 5, their employers, and their sponsoring avocado boards:

• California Avocado Commission
  • Matias Purcell, Brokaw Nursery
  • Herman Els, Limoneira Company
  • Thomas Browne, Limoneira Company
• Chilean Avocado Importers Association
  • Aurora Rico, Mission Produce, Inc.
• Colombian Avocado Board
  • Carlos Londoño, Jardin Exotics SAS
  • Andrew Gomez, GreenFruit Avocados
• Hass Avocado Board
  • Carson McDaniel, McDaniel Fruit Co.
  • Heather Johnson, PGIM Real Estate/Sunshine Ag Inc./Las Posas Ranch
• Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association
  • Antonio Villasenor, Aztecavo
  • Eduardo Soto, SV Fresh Avocados
  • Ignacio Gonzalez, Agro Gonzamex LLC/Avoselect S.A. de CV
  • Joaquin Urias, Stonehill Produce, Inc.
• Peruvian Avocado Commission
  • Carmen Puerta, Camposol Fresh USA

Learn more about how the program benefits the avocado industry and hear from the participants at HassAvocadoBoard.com/bold-program.