Ken Melban Promoted to President of California Avocado Commission

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News Summary

The California Avocado Commission has appointed Ken Melban as president effective May 22, 2025. With extensive experience in various roles since 2011, Melban aims to strengthen leadership and address challenges faced by avocado growers, including advocating for quality and safety standards and expanding export opportunities.

California – The California Avocado Commission (CAC) board of directors has officially announced the promotion of Ken Melban to the position of president, effective May 22, 2025. This decision comes as part of the organization’s strategy to strengthen leadership and enhance its operational capabilities within the avocado industry.

Melban’s promotion follows a series of successful roles he has held within the CAC since joining the organization in 2011 as director of issues management. In 2015, he advanced to vice president of industry affairs, a position in which he extensively engaged with industry stakeholders. Most recently, he served as vice president of industry affairs and operations, as well as co-executive leader of CAC, a role he has held since late 2023.

Jason Cole, the chair of the CAC board, expressed admiration for Melban’s leadership, particularly his contributions to the financial and administrative operations of the organization, alongside his commitment to industry affairs programs. Melban’s dedication to addressing the myriad challenges faced by California avocado growers, paired with his strategic vision for future opportunities, has garnered respect within the agricultural community.

Throughout his tenure at the CAC, Melban has been instrumental in advocating for various issues critical to the avocado industry. He has actively collaborated with U.S. governmental agencies to implement measures preventing harmful pests from entering the country through imported avocados. Additionally, Melban’s advocacy efforts have been pivotal in addressing the challenges that growers have faced, particularly in the aftermath of devastating fires that have impacted California’s avocado production.

One of Melban’s significant achievements includes the development and adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which serve to enhance the quality and safety standards across the California avocado industry. His leadership also played a crucial role in expanding the California avocado export program, notably securing market access to China in 2020 after a lengthy nine-year negotiation process.

Before joining the CAC, Melban brought over two decades of experience in produce leadership, working closely with various agricultural commodity boards and contributing to the National Grape & Wine Initiative. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in leadership and organizational studies, both obtained from Fresno Pacific University.

Beyond his professional commitments, Melban has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. He has participated actively in several organizations, including contributions to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Climate Change Adaptation Consortium and the Ventura AG Futures Alliance, which aim to address the effects of climate change on agricultural practices and promote sustainable farming methodologies.

As he steps into the role of president, Melban’s ongoing efforts to advocate for California avocado growers and his vision for recognizing and leveraging new opportunities will be critical for the CAC moving forward. His extensive industry experience and proven leadership skills position him well to guide the organization through future challenges and advancements in the avocado sector.