took the lead in the development of food safety solutions after the spinach outbreak and has led the charge in ag innovation. The ability of the association to pivot quickly meshed well with Nassif ’s leadership style. “I don’t micromanage but I will get into the weeds,” he said, adding that he likes to give his staff direction and then let them take the ball and run with it. He was reluctant to single out staff or board members for specific praise as he has worked with dozens of excellent people and didn’t want to leave anyone out. But he did say that many of the accomplishments under his watch came about because of the hard work and direction of many staff and board colleagues. For example, board members Bruce Taylor and Vic Smith, as well as staff member Hank Giclas, were instrumental in establishing the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. David Zanze took the lead for the advancements on the insurance side of the building. Jasper Hempel and Giclas were the point people for the solutions that came from the spinach crisis. “Matt McInerney and Jasper Hempel were my mentors and most trusted colleagues,” he said “Dave Puglia’s hire was a seminal moment for the organization and the recruitment of Ward Kennedy, Karen Timmins, Jason Resnick and Dennis Nuxoll has formed a strong foundation for our future leader, Dave Puglia.” Nassif believes his first non-moves after joining the organization were critical to his success. “The staff in place was a blessing. I didn’t clean house like a lot of CEOs do after they take over. I didn’t fire one person and I never hired a family member or a friend, except my executive assistant, Audrey Seybert.” Instead, he has utilized the talents around him to achieve great success for the association as a whole, leaving Western Growers as a leader in the ag space on so many fronts. Immigration Reform The battle to achieve immigration reform has been the source of Nassif ’s biggest frustration and, ironically, possibly his greatest success. Under Nassif, Western Growers has been leading the charge for immigration reform, and the creation of regulations that would establish a legal workforce for production agriculture, for two decades. That outcome has not yet been achieved, though Nassif remains optimistic
CONGRATULATIONS TOM NASSIF
Thank you for trusting in Anthem Blue Cross for 25 years. Enjoy a long and healthy retirement.
Anthem Blue Cross is the tradename of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.
The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Tom, Thank You for Setting an Example.
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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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