on the search. When the next leader is identified, I have committed to stay on to ensure a graceful transition. This will continue to be an extremely well planned and collaborative process. As this will be my last annual meeting presentation, my regret is that it is impossible to personally call out everyone deserving of thanks. Here are a few people that have been heroes to me and also to Blue Diamond : My first Blue Diamond hire was my executive assistant, Laura Elkins. Her organizational planning and communication skills have been a force multiplier to me. Her relentlessly positive energy has helped make Blue Diamond an even better place, especially for the board and me. Thank you, Laura. My second hire was our CFO, Dean LaVallee. He came highly recommended to me from the former CFO at Kraft. In hiring Dean, I told the board my expectation was that I would be getting a partner in running Blue Diamond . For the past 11 years, he has exceeded my expectations! It is only appropriate that Dean now has the COO title in addition to CFO. Dean, thank you for making me look good! Brian Barczak was hired to replace a Blue Diamond legend, Bruce Lish, as VP of Manufacturing. Brian transformed manufacturing, established a safety culture, and always showed up as a great teammate on the executive team. With demonstrated capabilities, his role expanded and today he is SVP of Global Supply. Brian, thank you for your extreme competence in leading over 80% of Blue Diamond ’s team members! Especially, through all the challenges of recent times. One of the secrets to enjoying your work is liking who you work for. What an honor to have the opportunity to work for California almond farmers. It is one of the best parts of being CEO at Blue Diamond . From almost 13 years ago, thank you to my first boss Clinton Shick and all the board members who hired me. Over the years, I am grateful that I have come to see many of you, our grower-owners, also as friends. Special thanks to Dick Braden, who served as an early mentor.
I am still excited to come to work each day and that would not be possible without a great board of directors. Thank you, Directors and a special thanks to Chairman Dan Cummings. The most important ingredient in any successful co-op is a strong board. Every year, I have closed my annual meeting remarks the same way. As I reflect over the past 12 years, and look into the future with our strong team, I confidently believe, for Blue Diamond , the Best is Yet to Come!
Mark Jansen President & CEO
9
NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2022
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