The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California has elected four new members to its board of directors: Kiana Amaral, chief operating officer of BlazerWilkinsonGee; Chris Drew, president and CEO of Ocean Mist Farms; Carmen Ponce, vice president and general counsel of labor for Tanimura & Antle; and Matt Rogers, co-founder and general manager of AgSocio.
The new board members will serve a three-year term, according to a news release.
“We welcome Kiana, Chris, Carmen and Matt and look forward to their input and contributions to the dynamic Board discussions that help GSA define our strategic directions, programs and policies that support our members and our region,” GSA President Christopher Valadez said in the release.
Outgoing members include Colby Pereira, chief operating officer of Braga Fresh; Jason Smith, president of Smith Family Wines; and John Wilkinson, founder of BlazerWilkinsonGee.
“We also thank our outgoing board members for their years of service and leadership throughout the challenges we have faced, including the pandemic, wildfires, and floods, as well as labor and water issues and the impatiens necrotic spot disease complex impacting our region,” Valadez said.
About the new board members
Amaral began her produce career at Misionero Vegetables before switching industries when she moved to the HSBC Credit Card division, where she worked in the marketing department for nearly 10 years. While at HSBC, Amaral earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Amaral joined the family-owned berry business BlazerWilkinsonGee in 2000. Amaral is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Drew has been with Ocean Mist for more than two decades. Drew previously was the company’s chief operating officer and collaborated with teams to streamline strategies and processes in addition to overseeing the operational departments and facilities across the organization. Drew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in crop science from Cal-Poly University, San Luis Obispo, followed by an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Ponce is in her 25th year with Tanimura & Antle. Ponce graduated from Georgetown University Law Center with a dual degree: a Master of Science in foreign service and juris doctor.
Prior to starting AgSocio, Rogers spent many years working on strategic purchasing initiatives and social, environmental and food safety issues in the produce supply chain for Whole Foods Market. Rogers serves on the standards committee of the Equitable Food Initiative and the board of directors of CIERTO. He is a member of the National Agricultural Worker Advisory Council of the National Center for Farmworker Health.
2024 Board of Directors (effective January 2024)
- Chair: Victor Ramirez, NorCal Harvesting.
- Past chair: Tony Alameda, Top Flavor Farms.
- Vice chair: Greg Beach, Huntington Farms.
- Secretary: Steve Ish, Taylor Farms.
- Chad Amaral, D'Arrigo Bros. of California.
- Kristina Nunes, The Nunes Co.
- Carmen Ponce, Tanimura & Antle.
- Melissa Duflock, Landowner.
- Chris Drew, Ocean Mist Farms.
- Jay Iverson, GreenGate Fresh.
- Matt Rogers, AgSocio.
- Kiana Amaral, BlazerWilkinsonGee.