David Gill is a third-generation California grower. At age six, he began helping his father and grandfather install pipe on the farm. David worked on his father’s ranch while he was a student and started his first farm, David Gill Ranch, after graduating from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in crop science. Two years later, David and his brother, Steve, started Rio Farms. Later, the two partners formed Gill’s Onions. Today they grow, ship and process fresh vegetables, including lettuce, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, peppers and tomatoes.
David is active in many organizations, including the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, California Farm Bureau Federation, and Produce Marketing Association.
David was elected to the board in 1991, and served as chairman in 2001.