“To define Member Relations Division’s organizational structure and roles of the Regional Managers to more effectively drive the Blue Diamond Growers supply strategy and build even stronger member relationships.” The program review identified several key changes in the structure of the Member Relations Division aimed at optimizing field staff activities while enhancing the services and value delivered to the membership. •Transition Mel Machado away from the daily management of the team into a more strategic role to increase his impact throughout the cooperative enterprise. •Divide the daily management and leadership of the field staff between two Director positions to provide daily leadership and team management. •Create a framework to enhance two-way communication with member/growers. •Identify Service Levels to meet the specific needs of the membership. •Create a capability development program to increase Regional Manager team knowledge and skills. Resulting Staff Changes As a result of the review, several changes in the Member Relations organization have occurred over the past few months. •Mel Machado was named Vice President of Member Relations. •Ben Goudie, who previously served as Membership Development Manager, has been named the new Director, Member Relations-North. Ben is now responsible for management of the Regional Manager team from Stanislaus County, north to Tehama County. In addition to his management responsibilities, Ben will also serve Blue Diamond ’s members in District 3, covering Alameda, Calaveras, Sacramento, and San Joaquin County west of Austin Road.
•Jeremy Basich joined the staff as Director, Member Relations-South. Jeremy brings experience in produce marketing and from the Independent handling side of the almond industry. Jeremy is responsible for managing the Regional Manager team from Merced County, south to Kern County. Jeremy will also serve the Blue Diamond members in Tulare and Kern counties. •Kabir Tumber previously served Blue Diamond within the Global Consumer Marketing organization as a Senior Category Management Analyst. Kabir joined the Member Relations team as Membership Development Manager, which was previously filled by Ben Goudie. Kabir holds a Bachelors in Managerial Economic and a Masters in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis. Prior to joining Blue Diamond , Kabir served as an analyst gaining working knowledge on Geographic Information Systems and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. There have also been changes within the ranks of the Regional Managers, realigning staff assignments in some areas and adding several new people to the team.
Continuing as members of the Member Relations Team:
Christine Ivory KC Stone Justin Elam
Brian Noeller Mike Griffin
Joining the Member Relations Team John Aja, joins the staff, bringing experience in grower relations from Foster Farms. Trent Voss, previously served as a Pest Control Advisor for tree nut growers in Stanislaus County. Ken Miyamoto, joins the team after serving as an Agricultural Biologist with the Merced County Department of Agriculture.* Ashley Correia brings her experience with the field relations staff at the Almond Board of California. Meggie Gilbert comes to Blue Diamond after working as an area manager for Simplot and BASF Crop Protection.
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