USDA appoints members to the Hass Avocado Board

October 05, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of twelve members to the Hass Avocado Board.

Appointed are three producer members, three producer alternates, two importer members, and two importer alternates to fill three-year terms expiring on Oct. 31, 2029. Additionally, one producer alternate is appointed to fill a previously vacant seat whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2028, and one importer alternate is appointed to fill a vacant seat which expires on Oct. 31, 2027.

Newly appointed members and alternates are:

• Producer Member: Benjamin Van Der Kar, Carpinteria, CA
• Producer Member: Doug O’Hara, Camarillo, CA
• Producer Member: Jeff Dickinson, Fallbrook, CA
• Producer Alternate: Dianne Ortiz-Clay, Ventura, CA
• Producer Alternate: Victor Araiza, Temecula, CA
• Producer Alternate: Megan Warren, Morro Bay, CA
• Importer Member: Rigo Perez Jr., Oxnard, CA
• Importer Member: LeighAnne Neary, Santa Paula, CA
• Importer Alternate: Pedro Somarriba, Weston, FL
• Importer Alternate: Debbie Willmann, Corona, CA
• Producer Alternate: Adam Dominguez, Santa Paula, CA (term expires Oct. 31, 2028)
• Importer Alternate: Jose Pardo, Oxnard, CA (term expires Oct. 31, 2027)

The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members, and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.

More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage and on the board’s website hassavocadoboard.com.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.