<p>During its 98th annual meeting in Ventura, CA, The California Avocado Society (CAS) presented the 2013 “Award of Honor” to California Avocado Commission Vice President of Marketing Jan DeLyser. The CAS award recognizes outstanding contribution and dedication to the California avocado industry, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/hl_cac_oct_2013_body00.jpg" alt="images 100913" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Chris Ambuul, CAS President and avocado grower, presided over the event and took the time to comment on Jan’s distinguished career. “Jan DeLyser has been specifically focused on the California avocado industry for the past 15 years. Her entry into the California avocado industry came at a difficult time, when foreign imports cast an ominous shadow over our livelihoods,” said Ambuul. “In just 15 years, US consumption has increased five-fold, and we are still in business. Jan hasn’t just left a mark on our industry; she is a big reason why we are all still here.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Ambuul also shared comments about DeLyser from other industry leaders, such as Tom Bellamore of CAC, Rob Wedin of Calavo, Phil Henry of Henry Avocado, John Dmytriw of Index Fresh, Ross Wileman of Mission Produce, Bryan Silbermann of the Produce Marketing Association, and Scott Bauwens of WestPak.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/hl_cac_oct_2013_body01.jpg" alt="images 100913" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Bob Lucy of Del Rey Avocado, who is also the CAC Marketing Advisory Committee Chairman, commented, “Maybe it was Jan’s Midwest upbringing that made her so friendly and easy to be around. Maybe it was her Midwest roots that made her so credible. Maybe it was her Midwest values that made her so loyal to her colleagues. But, most important, maybe it was the Midwest weather that got Jan to Southern California. Our gain, their loss.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Congratulations, Jan, on receiving this prestigious award!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.californiaavocado.com" target="_new"> California Avocado Commission </a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.californiaavocadosociety.org/annualmeeting.html" target="_new"> California Avocado Society </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
