Hass Avocado Board

We’re excited to welcome Karen Brux to the BOLD program! With many years of experience in the Hass avocado industry, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge, perspective and passion to BOLD. In her role leading the program, she’ll help guide the next generation of industry leaders as they build connections, expand their knowledge and grow their leadership skills. Welcome, Karen! We’re excited to have you leading BOLD and look forward to what’s ahead.

Say hello to Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, LDN, HAB’s PR & Advertising Manager! Amanda brings her nutrition expertise and communications experience to HAB, helping share the work of the Hass avocado industry with audiences across the country. When she’s not at HAB, you might find her planning her next adventure. She recently traveled to Iceland, where she explored waterfalls and glaciers—and checked seeing the Northern Lights off her bucket list! We’re excited to feature Amanda as part of our Inside HAB: Meet the Team series and introduce you to the people behind the work we do.

Did you know The Avocado Conference is sponsored and will have speakers from these associations? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eZu_cmx9

Speaker Spotlight: Alvaro Luque   What drives avocado demand—and what’s next for the category?   Join Alvaro Luque, President & CEO of Avocados From Mexico, at The Avocado Conference 2026 for The Avocado Demand Engine.   With more than 30 years of marketing experience, Alvaro has helped shape fresh produce marketing and build Avocados From Mexico into a leading U.S. avocado brand.   Connect with avocado industry leaders San Diego, California November 18–20, 2026   Register today and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gdz4raW7 The Packer

Meet BOLD Class 6 member Alan Garcia, Chief Operating Officer at B&M Avocados LLC! 🥑   Alan earned a degree in International Business with a specialization in Agribusiness from Tecnológico de Monterrey. After relocating to McAllen, Texas, in 2012, he began his career in the avocado industry with an importing company before joining B&M Avocados LLC as Chief Operating Officer in 2017.   Throughout his career, Alan has developed a strong appreciation for the avocado industry and is committed to supporting its continued growth through collaboration, leadership and active participation in the BOLD Program.   We’re excited to have Alan as part of BOLD Class 6 and look forward to seeing his leadership continue to grow! #HassAvocadoBoard #BOLDProgram #AvocadoIndustry #Leadership #FreshProduce

Meet Jonathan R. Smith, avocado producer and a producer alternate on the Hass Avocado Board. After a 30-year career spanning finance, construction and real estate, Jonathan retired as Regional President of California with D.R. Horton, Inc. Today, he is the owner of Castle Smith Companies, an investment and consulting firm, and has owned and operated three avocado groves in De Luz, California, since 2018. Jonathan brings a unique combination of business leadership, investment experience and firsthand knowledge as a California avocado grower to his role with HAB. He joined the Board in April 2026 as a producer alternate, with his term extending through October 2028. Outside of work and farming, Jonathan enjoys woodworking, fly fishing and writing. And his favorite way to enjoy avocados? Sliced or diced over great Mexican food. 🥑 We’re proud to spotlight the growers and industry leaders who bring their experience and perspectives to the Hass Avocado Board. #HassAvocadoBoard #BoardMemberSpotlight #AvocadoIndustry #HassAvocados #Leadership

How could changing health and wellness priorities shape foodservice opportunities for avocados? The Hass Avocado Board’s latest Foodservice Quarterly Insights report, developed with Datassential, explores the trends influencing what consumers look for in food and where avocados fit. Inside the Q2 2026 report: 🥑 GLP-1 adoption and changing food choices 🥑 The new Food Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines 🥑 Demand for high protein foods and opportunities to pair avocados with bowls, salads, and sandwiches 🥑 Interest in clean label and minimally processed foods 🥑 Fiber and gut health trends, including the gap between consumer interest and menu communication For growers, importers, and marketers, the report connects these broader shifts to potential avocado applications and messaging in foodservice. It also continues HAB’s quarterly tracking of avocado menu presence and consumer affinity. Explore the full report, available free to subscribers at https://lnkd.in/eXmDBGF9

🥑 Speaker Spotlight: Francisco Contardo Sfeir We’re excited to have Francisco Contardo Sfeir, Executive President of Avocados from Chile, as a speaker at The Avocado Conference 2026! Francisco has played a key role in strengthening the international positioning of Chilean avocados, helping consolidate existing markets and open new opportunities while advancing the industry’s sustainability efforts. In addition to leading Avocados from Chile, he serves as Vice President and Director of the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) in the United States and is a member of the Water Positive Think Tank. Where: San Diego, California When: November 18–20, 2026 Join us at The Avocado Conference to hear from Francisco and other industry leaders bringing global perspectives to the conversations shaping the future of avocados. Registration is now open: https://lnkd.in/gdz4raW7 The Packer

Last week, the Hass Avocado Board came together for our Board meeting. Board members and staff connected for important conversations about HAB’s strategy, business plan and priorities for the industry. As part of the agenda, our Board members participated in an orientation where HAB team members shared more about the programs and initiatives that support our vision: Hass avocados will be America’s preferred healthy food for every meal, driving growth in per capita consumption and providing value to consumers and stakeholders. A special part of our time together was recognizing Board members for their leadership, dedication and contributions to the Hass avocado industry during their term on the Board: Gwendolyn Jackimek LeighAnne Neary (Thomsen) Will Carleton Doug O’Hara Jeff Dickinson Ben Van Der Kar Hillary DeCarl Elizabeth Ayala A big thank you to each of them for their service and the impact they’ve made, especially to Gwen for serving as Chair, LeighAnne as Treasurer, and Hillary as our Corporate Governance Chair. We also had the opportunity to connect with BOLD Class 6, who joined us for an in-person meeting with the Agricultural Trade Education Council (ATEC). It was great to have everyone together to connect, share updates and continue working on the mission of the Hass Avocado Board. Emiliano Escobedo Gina A. W. Nikki Ford Alejandro Gavito Pam (Rozolis) Ortega

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating cultura, familia and the foods that bring generations together. 🥑 Through Aguacates – Love One Today®, the Hass Avocado Board is connecting with Hispanic consumers through culturally relevant content that celebrates the role avocados can play in the traditions, flavors and everyday moments families know and love. From recipes inspired by familiar flavors to nutrition education, our Hispanic Heritage Month efforts celebrate how fresh avocados can bring flavor, creamy texture and valuable nutrients to the table—all while honoring the traditions that make food so meaningful. Explore our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and discover recipes made for sharing with familia and friends. Más cultura. Más familia. Más aguacates. 🥑 Read the full article and join the celebration: https://lnkd.in/gzZnywB8