Graduates Honored
Three dozen young growers and bank representatives
graduated in the Class of 2018. Many of them were
present to receive their certificates at the Young
Leader Recognition Dinner. Chairman of the Board
Dan Cummings thanked the graduates for their
participation, observing, “By participating in this
program you have shown an interest in becoming
a future leader of this co-op. We look forward to
seeing you in that role.”
Kent Stenderup, District 9 Board Director, and co-
chairman of the Young Leader Committee, thanked
the board for supporting the program which has
conducted 21 classes and produced over 500
graduates, several of whom have become members
of the
Blue Diamond
board of directors.
Young Leader Reflections:
Joe Ferrini, District 2:
“I was most interested in seeing the processing of our
almonds and meeting great people in our class and
at
Blue Diamond
.”
Ryan Valk, District 5:
“I enjoyed meeting members of the management team
and seeing what
Blue Diamond
does to help us at
the state capitol.”
Max Koetsier, District 3:
“Having grown up on an almond ranch and being
familiar with how almonds are produced, it was
interesting to see how
Blue Diamond
processes and
markets our nuts and how all the departments work
together on our behalf.
Stefanie Rocha, Banker:
“I was pleased to see how proactive and innovative
Blue Diamond
is in marketing the grower's almonds.”
Davinder Mahil, District 8:
“What impressed me was seeing the value added
that
Blue Diamond
provides for our almonds.”
Matthew Salsedo, District 8:
“I appreciated seeing the inner workings of
Blue
Diamond
operations, being exposed to the political
process and learning how our co-op looks out for us.”
Connor Adams, District 3:
“I enjoyed meeting the managers and other growers
and seeing the inner workings of the cooperative.”
Malin Petz, District 3:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to talk with
legislators and tell them my side of the story.”
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