Your Blue Diamond Growers Member Relations Department is a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds deeply rooted in California’s agricultural community. They share a passion for farming that often began on their grandparent’s farms. Engaging with our Grower Owners to help improve their crop production, provide technical advice or consult on variety selection are just a few of the things that motivate them each day to help ensure that our crops earn the highest possible returns. Built on a foundation of integrity, honesty and trust, our Regional Managers are the liaison between our growers and Blue Diamond’s® management, providing insight into the cooperatives operations and conveying questions and information.
Contact the Regional Manager in your area for information on the benefits of marketing your crop through Blue Diamond Growers.

Mel Machado
Vice President, Member Relations
Salida: 209.545.6222
Cell: 209.531.6352
Email: mmachado@bdgrowers.com
“Growers appreciate my diverse farming background — I have a wide range of experience working with different crops in different areas and a pretty technical background as well, so I can look at the crop and analyze the factors that can affect a grower’s crop and profitability. The Blue Diamond Field Staff sees quite a bit and crosses a lot of country. We have the network and the knowledge to be able to look at a problem and solve it as quickly as possible.”

Ben Goudie
Director, Member Relations (North)
Sacramento, Calaveras, Alameda & San Joaquin West of Austin Rd
Cell: 209.225.0413
Email: bgoudie@bdgrowers.com
“I’ve dedicated my career to helping growers enhance their financial return. By merging my strategic business background with over two decades of field and technical experience as a PCA/CCA, I seek to bring the right balance of information to help growers develop the most successful strategy. Our team goal is to be a true business partner with our member-owners.”

Christopher Miller
Director, Member Relations (South)
Cell: 559.310.5085
Email: cmiller1@bdgrowers.com
“As a fourth-generation California citrus farmer and cattle rancher, I bring a unique perspective to almond growers and Blue Diamond as a cooperative. I believe that good farming deserves good marketing, and vice versa. Let’s work together toward our shared ag-culture goal of sustaining roots that can be passed on.”

Christine Ivory
Regional Manager
Glenn, Butte, Tehama, Placer, Yuba & Sutter
Cell: 530.518.9109
Email: civory@bdgrowers.com
“Growing up a ‘Cannery Brat’ surrounded by the bountiful crops grown in the Sacramento Valley, I understand the hard work and dedication it takes in the process from farm to table. As a member of the Blue Diamond Team, I get the opportunity to help in the business of families growing what they love on the land they cherish. It is worthwhile knowing that people all around the world enjoy eating Blue Diamond Almonds and almond products, allowing our growers the many benefits of the cooperative.”
“I have been involved in agriculture for most of my life, beginning with a small apiary my father and I began when I was in grade school. Following high school I earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture from Fresno State University. In 1986, following the advice of my Plant Pathology Professor, applied and was accepted to UC Davis studying Plant Protection and Pest Management. Upon graduation I took a position as the Integrated Pest Management Specialist for Tri Valley Growers. Following my Tri Valley experience I took a job with Foster Farms, managing the production of more than a million turkeys annually. After 26 years in the poultry industry, I began a job search looking for something I wanted to retire doing. This is how I ended up at Blue Diamond, serving the growers of the lower Sacramento Valley.”

Justin Elam
Regional Manager
Stanislaus County North of Tuolumne River & West of San Joaquin River
Cell: 209.303.7306
Email: jelam@bdgrowers.com
“My passion for the almond industry began as a child growing up on a small almond farm in Hickman, and that passion brought me to Blue Diamond. Our commitment to quality and living up to our values is what makes our co-operative the best place to work. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to be working with our growers year-round to produce the best almonds in the world.”

KC Stone
Regional Manager
San Joaquin East of Austin Rd; Stanislaus South of Tuolumne, East of San Joaquin River & West of Hwy 99; Merced North of the Merced River, West of Hwy 99
Cell: 209.596.5375
Email: kstone@bdgrowers.com
“In 1982, I planted my first almond tree, and our family has been part of Blue Diamond ever since. I love the fact that, although I’ve been involved forever, I’m learning something new every day. I see the passion and desire our growers have to be the stewards of their land, producing the highest possible quality and volume of almonds. It’s important to observe what the best growers are doing well, identify challenges, and take this knowledge to other growers.”

Brian Noeller
Regional Manager
Stanislaus, South of the Tuolumne River and East of Hwy 99; Merced North of the Merced River, East of Hwy 99
Cell: 209.417.2010
Email: bnoeller@bdgrowers.com
“I grew up in Hughson on an almond, peach, and walnut farm and still help out when possible. My passion for agriculture runs deep. The best part of my job is interacting with growers and assisting them with any issues they may have. I am always a phone call away.”

Trent Voss
Regional Manager
Merced County, West of 99 & South of Merced River, East of 99, North of Hwy 140
Cell: 209.470.5981
Email: tvoss@bdgrowers.com
“I grew up in a farming family and have worked as a PCA for several years in Stanislaus and Merced Counties. My experiences have taught me the importance of relationships. I joined the Blue Diamond Growers to build lasting relationships with growers, so they have a partner to turn to when needed. Being an advocate for farmers is a core principle of mine, and I am happy to represent the growers of Blue Diamond.”

Kenny Miyamoto
Regional Manager
Merced County, South of Hwy 140 & Madera County, North of Ave 12
Cell: 209.323.8454
Email: kmiyamoto@bdgrowers.com
“I grew up in a farming family and have been involved in the agricultural industry my whole life. My background is what led me to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. My professional and personal experiences, most recently as an Agricultural Biologist for Merced County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, have led me to this next chapter. I could not be happier to be part of the Blue Diamond family in this new capacity as a Regional Manager and I am looking forward to developing lasting relationships with each one of our grower members.”

Ashley Correia
Regional Manager
Southern Madera County & Northern Fresno County
Cell: 559.356.1584
Email: acorreia@bdgrowers.com
“Growing up in a small farming town, I have always had a passion for the agricultural industry. I enjoy being part of the close-knit community and what the industry stands for. As a field representative I enjoy building relationships with my growers and helping problem solve as issues arise. I believe each grower has a unique story, which we can all learn from.”