JM: I’ll be serving as president of The Forum Charitable Fund and continuing my work on the board of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, which promotes jazz education. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with family, especially watching the grandkids grow in England, and playing as much trombone as I can!
As chair of the Governance Committee, I led the work to formalize our Governance Guidelines, helping the board operate more effectively. And I’m especially proud of my role as president of the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation. Each year, we award 25 scholarships to California students pursuing degrees in agriculture. That work has a lasting impact.
AF: What’s your favorite Blue Diamond product ?
AF: What surprised you most about being on the board ?
JM: Whole Natural almonds. I buy 25-pound boxes, roast them myself, and eat a handful every morning with my cereal. If everyone ate as many almonds as my wife Meg and I eat, we’d need a lot more trees! I’m also a fan of Honey Roasted and the new Almonds & More line. AF: Finally, what would you say to someone considering running for the board ? JM: I’d say, “Yes, but get involved first!” We need directors who know Blue Diamond , care about improving grower returns, and are ready to contribute. Board service is a serious time commitment (six meetings a year) and it requires business experience. Director-at-large, Chris O’Leary created a great list of key skills, which you can find in the blue box on page 30. I’m proud of the work the board has done and if you’re thinking about running, reach out to me or any director. We’d love to talk with you .
JM: I was surprised by how unprepared I felt at my first meeting. When Kent Stenderup and I joined in 2016, the rest of the board had served for many years and knew what to expect. That experience pushed us to develop a formal orientation process for new directors, with help from Dan and Jan Mendenhall and later Matt Efird. It’s made a big difference as new directors are now ready to contribute from day one.
AF: Is the board aligned on strategy ?
JM: Absolutely. What unites us is our commitment to maximizing grower returns. That shared goal drives alignment, even when we bring different perspectives to the table. Coming from a corporate background, I was used to people having conflicting agendas. Blue Diamond is different. We may debate how to achieve our goals, but we’re always aligned on what we’re trying to do. AF: What advice do you have for fellow growers about getting involved ? JM: Get involved! Our Cooperative needs active members. Start with the Grower Liaison Committee. It’s a great way to stay informed and make your voice heard. Sign up for the Blue Diamond Leadership Program. You’ll get to know Blue Diamond in depth. Serving on an Almond Board committee is a great way to learn more about the almond industry statewide. AF: Now that your time on the board is ending, what’s next for you ?
Jillian Luna, Communications Manager, Blue Diamond Growers
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MAY–JUNE 2025
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