Rob Grether News Today

The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced Oct. 4 that President & CEO, Jeff Oberman left the organization to pursue other interests.

President of California Avocado Commission departs

Produce industry maven Jan DeLyser announced her plan to retire from the California Avocado Commission after 24 years of service to the organization. The tentative timing for her retirement is mid-February 2023.

Jan DeLyser, a longtime produce industry leader and trailblazer, has announced her plan to retire from the California Avocado Commission in early 2023 after 24 years of service. The commission is searching for a replacement, with DeLyser’s expected retirement date to be mid-February 2023.

In many ways, Jeff Oberman has been in training his entire career for the California Avocado Commission presidency slot that he just secured.  He was hired earlier this month after close to a year-long search and starts his new position today.

Jeff Oberman is to become the new California Avocado Commission Board of Directors president, effective Oct. 10.

The California Avocado Commission board of directors has selected produce veteran Jeff Oberman to become the organization’s new president, effective Oct. 10.

2022 California avocado season coming to a close

The California avocado season is drawing to a close. With nearly 263 million pounds shipped through Aug. 14, the crop is estimated to be about 97 percent harvested. The California Avocado Commission delineates crop years based on its fiscal year timing of November through October. The 2021-22 crop year was highlighted by strong market conditions, an early start to harvesting and more of the crop shipping in the spring than is typical.

With the California avocado season drawing to a close, the California Avocado Commission has appointed an interim president.