The California Department of Food and Agriculture has released the results of the California Avocado Commission’s 2025 General Election. The election was conducted using a ranked voting method, with candidates receiving the highest number of first choice votes offered the first choice of the available seats (member or alternate). Of the remaining candidates, the individual receiving the highest number of combined first and second choice votes was offered the remaining seat.
The new board was seated on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
District 1: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: Robert Jackson
Alternate: Enrico Ferro
District 2: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: Tina Wolferd
Alternate: Kurt Bantle
District 3: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: John Berns
Alternate: Doug O’Hara
District 4: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: Stephen Sheldon
Alternate: Vacant Seat
District 5: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: Daryn Miller
Alternate: Adam Franscioni
Handlers: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
Member: Danny Klittich, Mission Produce
Alternate: Vacant Seat
The Board of Directors elected the following to serve as their executive officers for the 2025/26 fiscal year:
- Chair – Rachael Laenen
- Vice-Chair – Ohannes Karaoghlanian
- Treasurer – Maureen Cottingham
- Secretary – John Berns