The Almond Board of California (ABC) announced Feb. 3 the Almond Leadership Program (ALP) class of 2025, a group of 18 professionals expected to help lead the industry into the future. This cohort begins a year-long immersion in California’s almond industry.
The participants in this year’s class come from diverse backgrounds across the industry, including growers and processors, sales representatives, agronomists, pest control advisors, supply chain analysts, trade media, ag realtors, and more.
“This 2025 class is outstanding. They are bright, accomplished, and they care about our industry,” said Rebecca Bailey, ABC senior specialist who oversees ALP, in a news release. “We are certain these 18 people will continue to be great assets and advocates for the almond industry.”
Industry Immersion
Class members will be immersed in every aspect of the industry, including ABC activities in global marketing, production, nutrition research, food safety, and more.
“I’m thrilled to join the 2025 Almond Leadership Program,” said class participant Bobbie Williams, registered dietician nutritionist and almond grower at WMD Farms. “The group is composed of diverse professionals with expertise in many areas of the industry. I’m excited to be a part of this effort, contributing my unique perspective as a grower and dietician to advocate for almonds as an essential part of a healthy diet, and look forward to working in the program and creating a lasting impact on the industry.”
The leadership program will also offer class members thorough looks at the impacts on the industry of social, economic, environmental and regulatory issues. In addition, participants will take on a yearlong, self-directed project focused on improving the California almond industry.
Mentor Guidance
Class members are guided by volunteer mentors – many of them ALP graduates – who will help them develop the skills, knowledge and perspective to improve their industry and their communities.
“Being a mentor gives me the chance to pass along not just what I’ve learned in the last 25 years as a farmer and a conservation biologist but the new challenges we face every year,” said mentor Christine Gemperle, a grower and member of ABC’s board of directors, in a news release. “I believe this next generation of industry leaders has the ability to take that knowledge and grow an even better future for California almonds.”
The 2025 Almond Leadership class members are:
- Arik Bains, pest control advisor, with Wilbur Ellis
- Cristal Da Silveria, plant and food safety supervisor, Grizzly Nut
- Katie Driver, technical service manager, UPL
- Raquel Gomez, technical agronomist, Brandt
- Zach Harcksen , pest control advisor, Mid Valley Agricultural Services
- Evan Koftinow, operations manager, RPAC
- Laine LaGrande, product and system specialist, John Deere.
- Brenden Lusk, ag realtor, Real Broker
- Joseph McManus, farm manager, Wilson Ag
- Luis Mendoza, sales representative, Syngenta
- Rajan Nagra, sales representative, Flory Industries/COE Orchard Equipment
- Crystal Nay, managing editor, Modern Ag Media
- Ricky Robledo, sales manager, TRECE Inc.
- Kiki Sandrini, regional sales manager, Chandler Automation
- Ranvir Tung, general manager, Tung Corporation
- Elizabeth Vander Weide, supply chain analyst, Blue Diamond Growers
- Jake Wiley, sales manager, ProFarm Group
- Bobbie Williams, clinical dietitian, Sutter Memorial Medical Center, and almond grower, WMD Farms
The 2025 class is sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, a long-time sponsor of the program.
The Almond Leadership Program began in 2009 and has graduated 244 industry members. Many now serve on ABC workgroups, committees, and the board of directors.
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