Ann Donahue serves as Director, Communications for Western Growers, where she is responsible for external communication efforts and publicizing the Association’s executives, initiatives, and members across all media platforms. Ann spent more than 20 years as an editor and reporter covering entertainment journalism, with bylines at publications including Variety, the L.A. Times, Billboard, IndieWire, and […]
IRVINE, CALIF. (June 13, 2023) – Steve Mangapit, the COO of the Western Growers Family of Companies (WGFC), will assume the duties of President of Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc., effective immediately. He replaces David Zanze, who retired after 38 years of service to the organization. "I look forward to ushering in a reinvigorated era of collaboration with our partners," Mangapit says.…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology in Salinas welcomed Turlock Fruit Company General Manager Neill Callis as the speaker for its June Lunch & Learn event. For the representatives from 15 startups that were in attendance, Callis talked about the need for technologists to work with growers to develop precision agriculture - in particular, the need for "hyper specific"…
Sixth annual AgSharks® Competition will provide agtech startups exclusive access to produce leaders and funding to advance innovative solutions for the agriculture sector SALINAS, CALIF. (June 21, 2023) - Western Growers and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2023 AgSharks® Competition, a unique event where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live…
The Emerging Leaders from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association visited the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology in Salinas on June 27, and seven of the Center's startups pitched the group their agtech solutions. Lead by Director Sonia Tighe and Communications Manager Veronica Figueroa, the FFVA Emerging Leaders include: Thomas Addison of H&A Farms; Renee L. Buxton…
IRVINE, CALIF. (June 26, 2023) - Following the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on June 23, Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement: "We thank Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Dan Newhouse and their colleagues for reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act this Congress - a bill that passed the House twice in recent years. Many…
IRVINE, Calif. (June 26, 2023) - Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc. is pleased to announce Kyle Gerdts is joining the organization as Vice President, Sales and Account Management. In this role, he will be responsible for business development and client service. Gerdts joins from HealthComp, where he served as Director of Sales with responsibilities for consultative sales and strategy. Prior…
