Tom Nassif’s Tenure Celebrated at 2019 Annual Meeting
By Tim Linden F rom the opening gavel of the on-site board meeting to the closing Award of Honor dinner, the 2019 version of the Western Growers Annual Meeting in mid-November had the underlying theme of celebrating the 18 years of service President and CEO Tom Nassif gave to the association. Of course, the Western Growers Annual Meeting, held in Maui on November 10-13 at the Wailea Beach Resort, also featured dynamic celebrity keynote speakers, a solid array of educational sessions and, as always, many opportunities to network and socialize with friends and colleagues from across the western fresh produce industry.
The event also served as the formal introduction of Ryan Talley of Talley Farms as the elected chairman of the board for 2019/20 and the elevation of Executive Vice President Dave Puglia as Nassif ’s successor. Puglia will assume his role as president and CEO on February 1, 2020. Nassif was presented with the association’s prestigious Western Growers Award of Honor in recognition of his service to the organization and the agricultural industry. February 1, 2020, will mark the 18 th anniversary of Nassif ’s hiring on February 1, 2002. Nassif retires on Jan. 31, 2020. He was hired during tumultuous times
at the association and quickly righted the ship setting it on a course where it excelled like never before in the areas of its expertise as the premier grower- based organization in the country. Nassif also led the association to new unchartered territory of representation such as establishing its own government affairs office in Washington, D.C. and leading the ways in diverse areas such as immigration reform, technological advancement, transportation and expansion of its insurance offerings and services to the ag community. The WG Board of Directors meeting on the first morning of the convention began the celebration with a fun-filled and heart-felt tribute to Nassif that honored his achievements while poking good- natured fun at his style, tenacity and competitiveness. The president was clearly touched, but saved his remarks for the Award of Honor two nights later. At that gala event, his son, Christian Nassif, introduced his father with a loving tribute that again honored what he brings to the table every day and the value his leadership bestowed on the organization and all of agriculture. Christian also detailed Nassif ’s service to his family, community, church and nation during his life. He took the audience on a video tour of his father’s career, which included stints as an agricultural labor lawyer in California, a political appointee of Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C., and as a U.S. ambassador in Morocco. The WGA CEO was noted for his tireless efforts on behalf of the industry especially in the areas of immigration reform and securing a spot for specialty agriculture in the U.S. Farm
22 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2020
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