California Fresh Fruit Association Names Daniel Hartwig as President; Wayde Kirschenman Comments


Thu. November 9th, 2023 - by Chandler James

FRESNO, CA - We reported in April that current President of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Ian LeMay was stepping down from his post to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Table Grape Commission. Now, CFFA’s Board of Directors has named LeMay’s successor: Daniel Hartwig.

Daniel Hartwig, Incoming President, California Fresh Fruit Association“I could not be more thrilled to join the great team at CFFA,” said Hartwig. “I have always had a deep admiration for the work done by the Association’s staff and the leadership of the board. I also look forward to working with our partners in the industry to continue to protect agriculture from the many threats before us.”

Hartwig has extensive experience in both the private sector and within agriculture associations. Since 2014, he has been employed by Woolf Enterprises, first as a Procurement Manager and most recently as Director of Sustainability. From 2008 to 2014, Hartwig served as the Vice President of Grower Relations for the Nisei Farmers League.

Daniel Hartwig has been named as the new President of the California Fresh Fruit Association

Beyond work, he has also served on the Board of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, most recently as the organization’s Board President from 2020–2022. According to a press release, Hartwig is also a recent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 49).

Wayde Kirschenman, Chairman, California Fresh Fruit Association“We are excited to welcome Daniel to the CFFA team and look forward to him continuing the long legacy of strong leadership on behalf of the California fresh fruit industry,” Chairman Wayde Kirschenman stated. “Our board engaged in a thorough search process to fill this important role and we are confident that Daniel’s experience in both association management and within the private agriculture sector have prepared him to serve our membership well. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for his leadership and the positive impact he has made over the nine years as a CFFA team member. Ian’s service is greatly appreciated by our entire membership, and we are glad to know that he will remain within the fresh fruit family while he serves at the Commission."

Hartwig will begin his tenure on December 4. Congratulations to the new President!

California Fresh Fruit Association