Board will guide industry priorities and investments over the next two years
The California Prune Board (CPB) has officially appointed its 22-member board and 15 alternates for the 2026/28 term.
Following certification of the election by the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the new board will serve as the governing body responsible for directing investments and programmes that support market development, research, and industry competitiveness.
Brendon Flynn of Pacific Farms has been made chair, while Mike Vereschagin of Verescahgin Farms will serve as vice chair. ShoEi Foods’ Brian Dunning is the new secretary, and Rajiv Davit of Davit Ranches has been named treasurer. They will all serve a two-year term.
“We are operating in an increasingly dynamic business environment and those of us in the California prune industry are committed to staying competitive amid rising costs, increasing global competition and uncertainty in the marketplace,” said Flynn. “We have a dedicated group working together to protect the California advantage and strengthen the future of our industry.”
Guided by input from across the industry, the board directs essential activities within CPB’s strategic priority areas and approves funding for the next fiscal year to continue investments including consumer marketing, export market development, nutrition and production research, and key industry initiatives.
These investments help strengthen demand, support market access both domestically and internationally, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of California producers and processors.
“The board serves as the collective forum for industry priorities,” said Donn Zea, the CPB’s executive director. “Our position as the leading producer of premium prunes around the world is the result of growers and processors who share a commitment to the same discipline and craftsmanship that established this industry’s reputation.”
The 22-member board is elected by industry and is composed of a broad base of representation across seven districts that includes independent producers and processors, Sunsweet co-op producer and processor members, and public representation.
