SALINAS, CA - It was recently announced to the industry that the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) has appointed new officers and welcomed several new members.
Victor Ramirez of NorCal Harvesting has been appointed as the new Vice-Chair and Greg Beach of Steinbeck Country Produce as Secretary. Joining the organization’s Board is Chad Amaral, Vice President, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California; Kristina Nunes, Food Safety and Sustainability Director, The Nunes Company; and John Wilkinson, Co-Founder, Blazer Wilkinson.
Ramirez, who has been a member of the GSA Board since 2018, is a third-generation strawberry farmer. Growing up working alongside his parents and six siblings, he gained experience in the technical aspects of farming and a heightened respect for the life of farmworkers, a press release explained. In 1995, Ramirez and his brother founded NorCal Harvesting, and in 1999, they founded Bayview Farms.
“Victor has served on GSA’s Board during an exceptionally challenging time,” says Christopher Valadez, President. “From food safety events to the pandemic, the Board’s counsel and leadership have helped GSA to confront those challenges to the benefit of our members and the farmers and farmworkers we serve. Victor’s knowledge and expertise have been an integral part of that leadership, and we look forward to his enhanced role on the Board as Vice-Chair.”
Also taking on a new Director role, Beach currently serves as Vice President of Sales for Steinbeck and was appointed to the GSA Board this year.
“We welcome the new Board Members, and we know the organization will benefit from their insights and perspectives as we work to achieve our mission, which is to advance families, food, and farming in our region,” Valadez noted, addressing the new members taking their position on the Board.
The association also announced those who have concluded their term on the Board: Rod Braga of Braga Fresh, Pat Collins of Naturipe, Tom Nunes V of The Nunes Company, and Allan Clark of Merrill Farms.
“The work and time they have given to GSA through staff transitions, food safety challenges, and the pandemic was formative and helped us evolve, grow, and advance our mission and I want to personally express my thanks to each of them,” said Valadez.
Congratulations to all those taking the helm of this influential organization!
