POST EVENT REPORT November 3–6, 2024 JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
The 98th Western Growers Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Arizona attracted a record number of attendees, with more than 500 of the specialty crop industry’s top business leaders participating thought-provoking keynote speakers and Wild West-themed parties amid the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. In recognition of the extraordinary role our record number of sponsors in dynamic networking events, educational breakout sessions, played in supporting the Annual Meeting, every level of sponsor received extensive brand recognition throughout the event, including name or logo placement on signage and in the conference guide and mobile app. In addition, Diamond Sponsors were recognized at each event, and
individual event sponsors received mentions in front of their desired key targeted audiences. The 2024 Annual Meeting began the evening of Sunday, Nov. 3 with a two-hour Welcome Reception at the North Garden, where Western Growers members, industry partners – and Hit Man, the resort’s hawk – mingled and networked at sunset. Even a quick rain shower couldn’t dampen attendee spirits! Monday, Nov. 4, the first full day of the Annual Meeting, featured Laura Ling as the Kickoff Keynote . Laura, an award-winning journalist, author and media executive, spoke movingly of the 140 days she spent in captivity in North Korea when she and a colleague were detained while reporting on the trafficking of
women along the country’s border with China. The PAC Lunch focused on a conversation between Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia and The Free Press Founder and Editor Bari Weiss . Bari, a winner of the L.A. Press Club’s 2021 Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism, spoke on the current state of American journalism, where contrarian voices are deemed unpalatable and shunted aside. The business portion of Monday concluded with a Featured Session on Sustainable Packaging, hosted and moderated by Western Growers Senior Vice President, Science Dr. De Ann Davis and Western Growers Vice President, Federal Government Affairs Dennis Nuxoll. Panelists included Jenet De Costa, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Driscoll’s; Kevin Kelly, CEO, Emerald Packaging; Ron Lemaire, President, Canadian Produce Marketing Association; and Dave Podesta, Director of Quality Assurance, Sysco.
The panel offered a realistic, science- based look at the usage of plastics in the modern food supply chain and spoke about the regulatory pressures that stand to impact the industry. Monday night’s parties began with the VIP Sponsor Reception in the North Garden, where Stuart Woolf, Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors, recognized each sponsor in the Diamond, Platinum and Gold tiers and thanked them for their invaluable support. Sponsors in attendance had the opportunity to network and form key industry relationships with the Western Growers Board of Directors. Attendees wrapped up the night by heading up to the resort’s Mummy Mountain Old West town for the rip-roarin’ Party with the Partners . Partygoers at the Boots and Roots Hoedown were greeted by Sophie the Beer Burro and then entertained by pig races, a dress-up photo booth and live music. BBQ and specialty cocktails were available until late into the night!
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 3
2024 Annual Meeting Highlights Tuesday, Nov. 5 began with our second invite-only sponsor event, the Diamond Breakfast , where Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia honored company representatives from our top level of sponsorship: Bayer, Farm Credit, John Deere, Nutrien Ag Solutions and RDO Equipment. Each Diamond Sponsor gave a brief presentation in front of the Western Growers Board of Directors to highlight the valuable work they do to advance the agriculture industry. Our second Featured Session of the Annual Meeting, Navigating the Post- Chevron Landscape: Expert Insights on Loper Bright and the Future of the Administrative State in Agriculture, gave attendees an overview of recent actions by the U.S. Supreme Court and how they might impact the regulatory landscape. Moderated by Western Growers Senior Vice President and General Counsel Jason Resnick, panelists included Lynn Jacquez, Of Counsel, JPH Law Firm; Daniel Jarcho, Partner, Alston & Bird and Damien Schiff, Senior Attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, who provided a peek into the crystal ball of the good – and bad – outcomes that may result from the ruling. During the Chair’s Lunch and Keynote Western Growers Chair Stuart Woolf took the reins to thank the assembled Western Growers members, the Board of Directors, sponsors and industry VIPs for their dedication to advancing the specialty crop industry. After the remarks and luncheon, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia conducted a Q&A with Amy Trask , former CEO of the Oakland Raiders and the first female team CEO in NFL history. The so-called “Princess of Darkness” regaled listeners with tales from inside the NFL owner meetings and of working with Raiders Owner and Hall of Famer Al Davis. (No 49er fans
were harmed during this event.) Tuesday evening’s activities began with the Award of Honor Reception on the Sonoran Terrace, where attendees networked and mingled over cocktails – and got a sneak peek meet and greet with the evening’s entertainment, mentalist Oz Pearlman . The Award of Honor Dinner Gala focused on the many achievements of Arizona’s own, The Growers Company President Sonny Rodriguez , who became the first non-grower to ever receive Western Growers’ highest honor. After a series of emotional tributes to Sonny, Oz took the stage and proceeded to make everyone in the room question what they thought they knew about… well, everything. (How did Oz know Sonny’s favorite drink?) After the Award of Honor festivities ended, attendees ended the night at the Election Watch Party , where cocktails, fries and milkshakes were on offer for those celebrating (or wanting to drown their sorrows) at the results shown live on TVs throughout the space. Annual Meeting activities wrapped up on Wednesday, Nov. 6 with the high-spirited Western Growers Cup Golf Tournament & Lunch at the Camelback Golf Course and the second annual surprisingly competitive Western Growers Pickleball Classic at the JW Marriott Camelback Tennis Courts. Western Growers prides itself on providing the premier venue for growers and industry partners to connect and celebrate the enduring legacy of the fresh produce industry. We will continue to drive enhanced value for our members and sponsors next year at the Western Growers 99th Annual Meeting, to be held Nov. 9-12, 2025 at the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, Calif.
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 5
EVENT PROMOTION & MEDIA EXPOSURE MARKETING CHANNELS - BY THE NUMBERS
500+ ATTENDEES 130 1ST TIME ATTENDEES 90 SPONSORS
A coordinated marketing and communications effort was a vital part of the promotional campaign for sponsorship and attendee recruitment. The 2024 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale had more than 500 attendees and 90 sponsor companies generously supporting the Western Growers Annual Meeting and the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology.
WESTERN GROWER & SHIPPER Sonny Rodriguez was featured on the cover and in a multipage feature in the Western Grower & Shipper, the official WG member magazine. The Annual Meeting received a preview article and in-house created advertising.
• Sonny Rodriguez, the People’s Champion: Celebrating Western Growers’ 2024 Award of Honor Recipient VIEW ARTICLE HERE (https://online.flippingbook.com/ view/468691712/14/) • Western Growers to Honor
• Mark Your Calendars for the 98th Annual Meeting VIEW AD HERE https://online.flippingbook.com/ view/933860427/30/ • Registration Now Open! VIEW AD HERE https://online.flippingbook.com/ view/504590441/34/ • Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon VIEW AD HERE https://online.flippingbook.com/ view/805289028/28/
Sonny Rodriguez at the 2024 Annual Meeting VIEW ARTICLE HERE (https://online.flippingbook.com/ view/805289028/36/)
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 7
Event Promotion & Media Exposure
23X IN SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT The Annual Meeting was promoted via in- house advertising and 23 times in Spotlight, Western Growers’ weekly e-mail newsletter to members. Total reach of this newsletter is more than 2,000 unique recipients. Spotlight articles were also featured on WGA.com. EMAIL PROMOTION More than 11 targeted e-mails advertising the event were sent to members, with a total reach of more than 10,500. MOBILE APP The Western Growers Annual Meeting App recorded 243 unique downloads. Peak access occurred on the first day of Annual Meeting, when the app was used 2,430 times.
E-MAIL REACH OF 10,500+
311 UNIQUE APP DOWNLOADS
67% OF ATTENDEES INSTALLED APP
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 9
Event Promotion & Media Exposure EARNED MEDIA
Two press releases were sent about the Annual Meeting; one focused on Sonny receiving the Award of Honor, and the other announced the election of the new Western Growers Board of Directors. Key links included:
VIEW ARTICLE HERE https://theproducenews.com/sightings/ western-growers-celebrates-party-partners
VIEW ARTICLE HERE https://www.thepacker.com/news/people/ western-growers-present-award- honor-sonny-rodriguez
VIEW ARTICLE HERE https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/ western-growers-will-honor-sonny- rodriguez-at-annual-meeting/
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 11
Highlited Posts and Mentions SOCIAL MEDIA
The Annual Meeting was promoted via Western Growers Social Media across all WG platforms (X, LinkedIn and Instagram) more than 25 times, for over 40,000 impressions.
40,000+ IMPRESSIONS!
WG REACH OF 12,900
WG REACH OF 12,000
WG REACH OF 5,800
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 13
ON-SITE SPONSOR PROMOTION
WELCOME CONFERENCE BAGS More than 500 welcome tote bags, sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance, were filled with promotional material from our sponsors and distributed to attendees. ON-SITE SIGNAGE All sponsors were acknowledged on the event screens and prominently featured on signage displayed throughout the events. Sponsorship recognition and promotion was a driving force in all of the event planning and logistic decisions. ON-SITE VIDEOS Diamond Sponsors were given the benefit of displaying their videos at the Award of Honor Dinner and Chair’s Lunch. WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING APP All levels of sponsors were given the opportunity to highlight their company on the app, including company descriptions and links to websites and social media pages.
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 15
ANNUAL MEETING EVENTS
Attendees at the Western Growers Annual Meeting were involved in several key industry workshops, keynotes and networking activities. • The Board of Directors Annual Meeting discussed the pressing issues facing the leaders of the fresh produce industry. • Featured sessions included engaging panels on “Sustainable Packaging” and “Navigating the Post-Chevron Landscape: Expert Insights on Loper Bright and the Future of the Administrative State in Agriculture,” showcasing exceptional insights from our esteemed panelists. • A powerhouse lineup of keynote speakers captivated attendees. Laura Ling shared her moving story of resilience during her 140 days in captivity in North Korea. Bari Weiss explored challenges in American journalism in a thought- provoking chat with President and CEO Dave Puglia. Amy Trask, the NFL’s first female team CEO, brought humor and wisdom as she shared lessons from her trailblazing career with the Raiders. • A plethora of activities including the Welcome Reception; the Board of Directors’ breakfast; the Diamond Breakfast; the VIP Sponsor Reception; the Party with the Partners – Boots and Roots Hoedown!; the PAC Lunch; the Chair’s Lunch; the Award of Honor Reception and Dinner Gala; the Annual Meeting Growers Cup Golf Tournament and the Pickleball Classic. Event Photos: • Scan the QR code or visit
wga.com/AM24photos to view photos from this year’s events.
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 17
ATTENDEES
alliantgroup
36creative
Justin McAnally Lauren Morris
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Youa Yang
Boston, MA Salem, NH Windham, NH
Trent Sanders Steve Gabriel
Allied Potato
3P Partners
Marisol Moreno
Bakersfield, CA
Morgan Kelley
Davis, CA
Alston & Bird, LLP Dan Jarcho American AgCredit Matt Woolf
48forty Solutions Marcus Blood
Washington, DC
Richfield, UT Riverside, CA
Dustin Snyder Casey Goade
Fresno, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Sandy, UT
Spencer Deems
AGCO
Mark Scaroni Lauren Scarr
Ryan Moran Jake Tiongco
Duluth, GA Duluth, GA
Ryan Scarr
American Cooling Karyn Azzopardi Mike Azzopardi
AgDirect
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Chris Stout
Anthem, AZ
Agri-Pulse
AMVCA
Burke Kennedy Allan Johnson
Salinas, CA
Micah Scanga
Wenatchee, WA
Washington, DC Washington, DC
Sara Wyant
Anthem Blue Cross Therese Nielsen
Agrothrive
Sacramento, CA Walnut Creek, CA
Marty Lutzeier
Marko Macura
Gonzales, CA
APMA
AgWest Farm Credit Bianca Ramirez
Julia Belliard
Salinas, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Randy Dhindsa
Fresno, CA
Arizona Dept. of Agriculture Paul Brierley
Dave Bedell
Paso Robles, CA Paso Robles, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Nathan Garcin Jesse Garcia
Rocklin, CA Rocklin, CA Rocklin, CA
Arizona Farm Bureau Chad Smith
Kevin Ralph
Chandler, AZ
Josh Siler
John Boelts
Yuma, AZ
Brian Boersma Bethany Filter
Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA
Baloian Farms
Barbara Baloian
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Tim Baloian
2024 Attendees
Betteravia Farms Charlie Ferini
Bank of America Alison Maddox
Santa Maria, CA
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Benjamin Maddox
Bin Doctor
Karen Sessions
Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA
Tommy Denham Felicia Denham
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Elizabeth Karbousky
Barkley Ag Enterprises Robby Barkley
BMO
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
Allan Cellini Laura Cellini Justin Emmi
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Pam Mendenhall
BASF
Rodney Krouskup
Ben Taylor
Yuma, AZ
Bolour/Carl Immigration Group Alexander Carl
Bayer
Monterey, CA
Dustin Hauge George Gough Jenny Maloney
Cambria, CA
Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA Scottsdale, AZ St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO
Bonipak Produce Christine Reade
Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA
Jon Bender
Craig Reade
Jonathan Mein
Thorsten Schwindt
Booth Ranches Tracy Jones
Orange Cove, CA
Beachside Produce John Jackson
Nipomo, CA Nipomo, CA
Boskovich Farms George Boskovich Joanna Boskovich
Mimi Jackson
Oxnard, CA Oxnard, CA
Bengard Ranch
Bardin Bengard Pam Bengard
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 19
2024 Attendees
Carbon Robotics Rylie Mahoney
Braga Fresh Family Farms Rod Braga
Seattle, WA Seattle, WA Seattle, WA
Soledad, CA Soledad, CA
Tim Mahoney Miles Murphy
Eric Morgan
Braga Fresh Foods Colby Pereira
Cascadia Capitol Scott Porter
Soledad, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Brazil/ LeVake Govt. Relations Barbara LeVake
Center For Produce Safety Rick Fenaroli Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli
Sacramento, CA
Woodland, CA Woodland, CA
Britz Farming Martin Britz
Fresno, CA
Certis Biologicals Curt Nelson
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Ryan Dall
Dos Palos, CA
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA
CH Robinson
Laura Yraceburu
Christa Sugrue Ryan Sugrue Hunter Winton Kellie Winton Chandler Farms Bill Chandler Carol Chandler
Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ
Cal Poly CAFES Russ Kabaker
San Luis Obispo, CA
Cal.net
Richard Matoian
Fresno, CA
Craig Stein
Shingle Springs, CA Shingle Springs, CA Shingle Springs, CA
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Heather Stein Linda Thomas
CHEP USA
CalCom Energy
Rob Heffel Paul Lowry
Buckeye, AZ Orlando, FL
Gena Bettencourt
Fresno, CA
Calpine Containers Robert Engle
Citi - Food & Ag Matt Fowler
Clovis, CA Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Azra Engle
Ben Torchia
Canadian Produce Marketing Assoc Ron Lemaire
Coastline Family Farms Larry Cox
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Tina Cox
Carbon Friendly US Francois Visser
Salinas, CA
CoBank
Mark Linder
St. Helena, CA
Brett Lauppe
Rocklin, CA
2024 Attendees
Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Chuck Hanagan Rocky Ford, CO
John D’Arrigo Matt D’Arrigo Sandy D’Arrigo
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Compeer Financial Bill Lewis
Del Bosque Farms Krystal Del Bosque
Windermere, FL
Los Banos, CA
Concept Clean Energy Elliot Jaramillo
Denham Plastics Jeff Denham Sonia Denham
Laguna Beach, CA
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
CopperPoint
Kathy Jaskulski
Phoenix, AZ
Mike Hutchings
Corteva Agriscience Jill LeVake
Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty Chris Passarelli
Yuba City, CA
Napa, CA
Cove Ranch Management Brian Bertelsen
Driscoll’s
Reedley, CA
Jenet DeCosta
Watsonville, CA
Creme Global Cronan McNamara
DUDA Farm Fresh Foods Greg Lewis
Dublin, Ireland
Oxnard, CA
CVS Ag
Ecorobotix
Julie Locke
Tulare, CA
Marcus Lung José Marchetti
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
D.M. Camp & Sons Edwin Camp
Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA
Emerald Packaging Joanne Castello
Kaye Camp
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Kevin Kelly
D’Arrigo Bros Co. of CA Chad Amaral
Kevin Castello
Union City, CA
Salinas, CA
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 21
2024 Attendees
Green Rubber - Kennedy Ag Jill Kennedy
FarmWise
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Vic Method
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Mark Kennedy
Todd Rinkenberger
Grimmway Enterprises Brandon Grimm
Fifth Third Bank Don Unruh Sarah Watkins
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA
Grimmway Farms Garrett Nishimori
John Intveld Scott Lisle
Central Valley/Central Coast, CA
Oxnard, CA
Fresno, CA
Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties Claire Wineman Santa Maria, CA
Fisher Phillips LLP Gregory Blueford
Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA
Rebecca Hause-Schultz
Hadley Date Gardens Olivia Keck
William Okamoto
Thermal, CA Thermal, CA Thermal, CA Thermal, CA
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Steven Callaham
Albert Keck Caroline Keck
Dundee, FL Maitland, FL Maitland, FL
Alicia Joyner Mike Joyner
Paul Keck
Harris Farms
Food is Health Forum Paul Noglows
Darren Filkins
Coalinga, CA Coalinga, CA
Little Silver, NJ
Teri Filkins
Fresno Madera Farm Credit Aaron Christenson
Harrison Co. Nancy Ervin
Fresno, CA
Salinas, CA
Frost, PLLC
HawkTower
Eric Chastaine
Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale, AZ
Danny Bernstein
Carmel Valley, CA
Doug Snell
Heartland Financial USA Patrick Bishop
Fruit Growers Supply Reggie Feller
Salinas, CA
Yuma, AZ
Henry Hibino Farms Kent Hibino
Gill’s Onions Matt Kelley
Salinas, CA
King City, CA King City, CA Oxnard, CA
HM. CLAUSE
Nancy Kelley
Leonard Jones
Santa Maria, CA
Steven Gill
Holo
GP Advisory Services Gene Peterson
Simon Frank
New York, NY New York, NY
Gilbert, AZ
Ludvig Suneson
2024 Attendees
Jackson Lewis P.C. Jonathan Siegel JBN & Associates Jonathan Garcia
HTLF Food & Agribusiness Charlie Synold
Irvine, CA
Monterey, CA Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ
Tyler Jewell Gianna Ruiz
Phoenix, AZ
HUB International Darren Caesar
John Deere
Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara, CA
Fabiola Perez Sean Sundberg Greg Christensen
Ankeny, IA Clovis, CA Johnston, IA
Chris Lazio
Illume Agriculture Kevin Andrew Maureen Andrew
David Gordillo
Overland Park, KS
Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA
JPH Law Firm Lynn Jacquez
Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association Shelby Trimm Brawley, CA
Washington, DC
JRG Attorneys at Law Paul Rovella Junior Enterprises Celeste Alonzo JV Smith Companies Randy Bache
Innovative Produce Debbie Adam
Salinas, CA
Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA
George Adam Katie Adam Philip Adam
Coachella, CA
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
International Fresh Produce Association Max Teplitski
Rosa Bustillos
Washington, DC
Kristen Smith Eshaya
International Paper Becky Maloney
Kathy McGuire Matt McGuire
Paso Robles, CA Paso Robles, CA
Karen Smith Kyle Smith
Ted Maloney
Vic Smith
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 23
2024 Attendees
Lighthouse.Ag Aaron Magenheim
JW Hill Capital John Hill
Salinas, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
Live Oak Farms
Kern Ridge Growers Jeanne Giragosian Robert Giragosian KeyBank Agribusiness Karen Tscharner
Briana Giampaoli
LeGrand, CA
Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA
Luis A Scattini & Sons Greg Scattini Main Street Produce Alexandra Allen
Salinas, CA
Denver, CO
Rob Meyer
Sacramento, CA
Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA
Kincannon & Reed Carolyn Schubert King City Nursery Jeff Pereira
Paul Allen
Bull Valley, IL
Maricopa Orchards Eric Thor Mission Produce Shelly Barnard
Fresno, CA
King City, CA
KipTraq
Oxnard, CA Oxnard, CA
Steve Barnard
Alex Garcia
Salinas, CA
MIXTEC Group Jerry Butt
LaBrucherie Produce J.P. LaBrucherie Stephanie LaBrucherie Land Advisors Organization Carlin Keck
Glendale, CA Glendale, CA
El Centro, CA El Centro, CA
Melanie McKinnell
Moss Adams LLP Rhett Johnston
Phoenix, AZ Salinas, CA
Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale, AZ
Sara Bailey
Bobby Wuertz
Mulholland Citrus Heather Mulholland Muzzi Family Farms Dominic Muzzi
Law Offices of Shawn Caine Maureen Caine
Orange Cove, CA
Del Mar, CA Del Mar, CA
Shawn Caine
Legacy Cooling Sarah Rodriguez Beau Rodriguez Trey Rodriguez LGMA California Timothy York
Moss Landing, CA
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
MyLand
Jeff Tuel
Fresno, CA Gilbert, AZ Houston, TX Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ
Jeff Downs Jonah Parker Dave Booher Gil Rodriguez
Salinas, CA
2024 Attendees
Ocean Mist Farms Joanne Bravo
Nelson Irrigation Craig Stafford Nancy Stafford
Castroville, CA Castroville, CA Castroville, CA
Los Gatos, CA Los Gatos, CA
Rick Bravo Chris Drew
Netafim USA Jenna Kelley
Orange County Produce A.G. Kawamura
Paso Robles, CA Paso Robles, CA
Indian Wells, CA Indian Wells, CA
Tate Kelley
Dianne Kawamura
Nunhems
Pacific Ag Rentals Tim Davis
Kollin Holzwart
Salinas, CA
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Nutjobs
Bartley Walker Greg Wilcox
Jeff Anderson
Boston, MA
Woodbridge, CA
Nutrien Ag Solutions Russ Keegan
Pacific International Marketing Steve Tripp Pacific Legal Foundation Damien Schiff Pacific Southwest Container Kevin Allen
Bakersfield, CA
Salinas, CA
Jill Lanini Lon Lanini
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Sacramento, CA
Carson Britz Sean Morelos Gina Nichols Ken Nichols Barbie Witmer Brad Witmer Thomas Larson
San Luis Obispo, CA
Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Scottsdale, AZ
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Shari Allen
Pancrazi Real Estate Pat Hodges
Yuma, AZ
Mark Gryte
Yuma, AZ
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 25
2024 Attendees
Pasquinelli Produce Company Deb Grober
Mark Nickerson
La Quinta, CA La Quinta, CA
Mike Way
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
Jeff Grober Alex Muller
Project Foodbox Pat Collins Provision Analytics Kevin Davies
Costa Mesa, CA
Barbara Pasquinelli Gary Pasquinelli
Calgary, AB
Peartree + Belli Architects Cari Cauley
Salinas, CA
Quinn Company Mary Elizabeth Hasbrouck
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA
Peter Rabbit Farms Nicole Kjellander Patrick Kjellander
Pat O’Neill
Coachella, CA Coachella, CA Coachella, CA Coachella, CA
Spencer Quinn
Klysta Powell John Powell, Jr.
Rabo AgriFinance Megan Eskew David Magaña Stephanie Mann
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
PGIM Ag Investments Jon Dominguez
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
John Steeves J.P. van Oosten Jessup Wiley
Nicole Dominguez
PGIM Real Estate Alex Mendrin Anthony Moreno
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Rain for Rent
Jason Goldberg Julia Goldberg Stacey Goldberg
Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA
Bill Sciacqua
Pinion
Abe Ramirez Erika Soltero Ray Soltero
Bill Hoover
Fresno, CA
Pinnacle Claims Management Kyle Gerdts
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Saul Huereque John Tamayo Jennifer Goalen
Imperial, CA Imperial, CA
Whitney Gerdts
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Pinnacle Rx Solutions Don Anderson
Jon Goalen Matt Stanton
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Riverside, CA Riverside, CA
Luz Anderson
Neil Worthington
Jeffrey Orr
Salinas, CA
Prime Time International JoAnn Nickerson
Coachella, CA
2024 Attendees
Rosasco Law Group, APC Erica Rosasco
Ratto Bros.
Rocklin, CA
Anthony Ratto Catharine Ratto Geoffrey Ratto
Modesto, CA Modesto, CA Modesto, CA Modesto, CA Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Yuma, AZ
Rousseau Farming Leslie Rousseau
Tolleson, AZ Tolleson, AZ
Ron Ratto
Will Rousseau
RDO Equipment
Royal Oaks Farms Clint Miller
Adam Gilbertson
Royal Oaks, CA Royal Oaks, CA
Tara May
Karen Miller
Daryl Shelton Johnna Shelton Jacob Swanson Daniel Butler Leigh Butler Jeremy Smith Judipa Smith Larry Glenn
S2G Ventures
Sumeeta Salvador
Chicago, IL
San Miguel Farms Vanessa Killgore Sanders/Way Ranch Ellen Way Santa Maria Seeds Amanda Davis
Guadalupe, CA
La Quinta, CA
RDO Water
Linda Alarcon Rafael Alarcon
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
King City, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA Santa Maria, CA
Britt Davis
Brenda St Denis Marty St Denis
Reiter Affiliated Companies Eric Reiter
Santa Barbara, CA
Saticoy Lemon Association Marty Coert
Rio Farms
Santa Paula, CA
David Gill Susan Gill
King City, CA King City, CA
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 27
2024 Attendees
Taylor Farms California Bruce Taylor
Schoeller Allibert Joshua Kling
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Goodyear, AZ
Linda Taylor
Schuil Ag Real Estate Rick Schuil
Teays Rivers Investments Zarrell Gray
Visalia, CA
Zionsville, IN
Sensitech
Terranova Ranch Don Cameron
Bill German
Watsonville, CA
Helm, CA Helm, CA
SPECCX
Elisa Cameron
Chad Cummings
Turlock, CA
The Growers Company Cynthia Rodriguez
Springbuk Marcus Kammrath SPRX Technologies Missy Waites
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
Indianapolis, IN
Sonny Rodriguez Ramon Almaraz
Stacy Almaraz Ryan Boone Shae DuPuy Blanca Franks
Houston, TX
Hillary Dube
Irvine, CA
SunTerra
Casey Brazeel Steve Brazeel Ember Haller Namath Haller
Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA
Dan Franks
Danny Franks Tara Franks Sandra Porras Steve Porras
Syngenta
Jesus Quintana Sherry Quintana Freddy Rodriguez Kate Rodriguez Mark Rodriguez Nick Rodriguez
Ben Sacher
Oceanside, CA
Talam Biotech
John Chrosniak
Groton, CT
Talbott’s Mountain Gold Bruce Talbott
Palisade, CO
Audrey Scott
Talley Farms
Rick Scott
Caroline Talley Catherine Talley Christina Talley
Arroyo Grande, CA Arroyo Grande, CA Arroyo Grande, CA Arroyo Grande, CA
Mike Stafford Sonja Stafford
Ryan Talley
2024 Attendees
Topflavor Farm Angie Alameda Craig Alameda
The Nunes Company Margot Nunes
Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ
Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA Salinas, CA
Tom Nunes V Tom Nunes, Jr Kathleen Scarr
TriCal
Kent Vargas Rick Storkan
Camarillo, CA Scottsdale, AZ
Mike Scarr
The O’Neill Group Jacquie Blair Molly Montenaro
Tri-Fanucchi Farms Catherine Fanucchi Turlock Fruit Company Hilary Callis
Newport Beach, CA Newport Beach, CA Newport Beach, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Deirdre O’Neill Machin
Turlock, CA Turlock, CA
The Packer - Farm Journal Media Elizabeth Dumont
Neill Callis
Los Angeles, CA
U.S. Bank
The Produce News Adam Campbell The Shuler Law Firm Karyn Shuler
Mary Spry
Napa, CA
Wenatchee, WA
University of Connecticut Anuj Purohit
Hartford, CT
Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale, AZ
Robert Shuler
Valenz
Jordan Hersh
Santa Monica, CA
Tiverton
Monte Nevitt
Queen Creek, AZ Queen Creek, AZ
Vektor Logistics Rob Lynch
Christian Ramirez
Monterey, CA Monterey, CA Monterey, CA
Greg Hill
Seattle, WA Spokane, WA
Leila Seed
Andrew Flesher
John Stenderup
TLC Custom Farming Company Tim Dempsey
Yuma, AZ
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 29
2024 Attendees
Vestaron
Robin Kennedy Ward Kennedy
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
April Nuckles
Bakersfield, CA
Cory Lunde
Bill Hume
Fresno, CA
Steve Mangapit
Wells Fargo
Kim Moss
Chase Salcido
Amarillo, TX Charlotte, NC
Chau Nguyen Bryan Nickerson Dave Puglia Lezlie Puglia Jason Resnick Lisa Resnick
Shannan Townsend
Mike Pace Marci Davis
Mesa, AZ
Monterey, CA Monterey, CA Sacramento, CA Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale, AZ
Ryan Pacheco
Amber Neimeyer Fidela Irigoyen
Sonia Salas
Clay Rollon Scott Iverson
Jonathan Sarager Rob Steinmann Karen Timmins
Visalia, CA
Western Alliance Bank Leo Munoz
Ann Vu
Fresno, CA
Terry Wagner
James Cannariato
Sacramento, CA
Damian Williams
Western Growers Cierra Allen
Joel Young
Brawley, CA Clovis, CA Fresno, CA
Tim Cheatham Walt Duflock Robert Medler Ann Donahue
Milwaukee, WI
Matt Jones Jordan Long
Monte Sereno, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Brittany Thomas De Ann Davis Emily Gengler
Henderson, NV
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Tim Vu
Carrie Peterson Matthew Allen
Rio Oso, CA
Cheryl Hall
Sacramento, CA
2024 Attendees
Garrett Patricio Nikki Patricio Steve Patricio
Firebaugh, CA Firebaugh, CA Firebaugh, CA
Gail Delihant
Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA
Melissa Koshlaychuk
Ben Palone
Salinas, CA
Jonathan Alexander
Washington, DC Washington, DC Washington, DC
Wonderful Orchards Kristen Camarena Gayle Yraceburu Rob Yraceburu Woolf Enterprises Lisa Woolf
Tracey Chow Dennis Nuxoll Raquel Lugo
Bakersfield, CA
Shafter, CA Shafter, CA
Yuma, AZ
Western Growers Financial Services Jen Lewis
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Matt Lewis
Stuart Woolf
Western Growers Insurance Services Jeff Gullickson
Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture Tanya Hodges Yuma, AZ Stephanie Slinski Yuma, AZ
Irvine, CA Irvine, CA Irvine, CA
Chad Klein
Sean Reardon
Zenith Insurance Company Amy Fuentes
Westlake Pipe & Fittings Bradley Pinnell
Fresno, CA Fresno, CA
Lake Havasu City, CA Lake Havasu City, CA
Kimberly Naffziger
Rebecca Pinnell
David Berry
Lincoln, CA
ZNZ
Matthew Cauley
Paso Robles, CA
David Zanze
Cedar City, UT
Westside Produce Annabelle Alaniz
Additional Attendees Bob Gray
Firebaugh, CA Firebaugh, CA Firebaugh, CA Firebaugh, CA
Pacific Grove, CA Pacific Grove, CA
Sal Alaniz
Pat Gray
Socorro Alaniz Ashley Patricio
2024 WESTERN GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING: POST EVENT REPORT 31
THANK YOU TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR BRONZE SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Grimmway Farms Headstart Nursery, Inc. HM.CLAUSE
3P Partners Barkley Ag Enterprises, LLC Biotechnology Innovation Organization Blue Tech Water Bunzl Agriculture Group Caine Law Cal.net California Organic Fertilizers, Inc CopperPoint Insurance Companies D’Arrigo New York DP&F Law Feeding San Diego Fifth Third Bank Fisher Phillips LLP Frost, PLLC Fruit Growers Supply Gowan Green Rubber - Kennedy Ag
JRG Attorneys at Law Keithly-Williams Seeds King City Nursery MIXTEC Group Peartree+Belli Architects Pivotal Policy Rosasco Law Group, APC Sakata Seed America Sensitech Inc Southern Valley Chemical Co
Sturdy Oil Company Teleos Ag Solutions Tiverton Advisors LLC Toro Petroleum TS&L Seed Co Tuff Boy Leasing & Equipment Sales
MARK YOUR CALENDARS WESTERN GROWERS 99TH ANNUAL MEETING
November 9-12, 2025 Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, CA
For information on 2025 Annual Meeting sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Rob Steinmann, Member Relations Manager, Membership 949.885.2266 | rsteinmann@wga.com | wgannualmeeting.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker