Speakers

Scott Clemons joined Brown Brothers Harriman in 1990 and has held a variety of investment roles at the firm. His career began in international equities, where he was an analyst and portfolio manager of European and Asian equities, working out of the firm’s New York and London offices throughout the 1990s. In 2001 he broadened his responsibilities into domestic equity management and research, and from 2005 through 2010, he managed the New York office of the firm’s Wealth Management business. Scott was appointed Chief Investment Strategist in 2010 and is today one of the firm’s primary writers and speakers on topics related to the economy, financial markets and investing. Scott is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the CFA Institute.

Martin Hahn focuses on a wide variety of regulatory issues affecting the food and dietary supplement industries. He assists companies in complying with the numerous statutes, regulations and guidance documents implemented by the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. Martin represents numerous businesses in the food industry including companies that market finished foods directly to consumers, food ingredients, infant formulas, dietary supplements and over-the-counter drugs.

Balaji Padmanabhan, Professor of Decision, Operations and Information Technologies, has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and a PhD from New York University (NYU)’s Stern School of Business and has worked in the data science, AI/machine learning and business analytics areas for 25 years. His current work addresses the design of artificial and augmented intelligence solutions that combine data, machine learning and modeling the real-world through complex systems simulations and has broad applications across business, policy, media and healthcare. He has published extensively in data science and related areas at premier journals and conferences in the field and has served on the editorial board of leading journals including Management Science, MIS Quarterly, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Information Systems Research, Big Data, ACM Transactions on MIS and the Journal of Business Analytics.

Vince Lubsey has more than 30 years of experience specializing in software and systems design covering early stage startups to multinational corporations, including Coca-Cola International. He was a co-founder and EVP of Product Management and Solution Architecture at Virtustream before it was acquired by Dell Technologies.

Aubrey Bettencourt currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Almond Alliance. With a vast background in agriculture and international trade, Aubrey has been pivotal in addressing industry trade policy matters and the supply chain crisis. In 2023 Aubrey was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade. Previously, as the Director of Sustainability for the California Cattle Council and Western United Dairies, Aubrey united diverse stakeholders to develop collaborative solutions to help dairy farmers navigate new regulatory and natural challenges. Aubrey also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. As a fourth-generation California farmer, Aubrey brings invaluable experience and expertise in agriculture, resource management, policy, politics, and people. She is committed to the agricultural community and the collaborative energy required to ensure sustainable and reliable food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure sources to meet global needs.

Hal Burns currently serves as General Manager of Jimbos Jumbo’s, a division of Severn Peanut Co., Inc., a position he has held for over thirty years. His career in the peanut industry began in the late 1970’s as a By-Products Manager for Planters Peanuts - a division of Standard Brands, Inc. at the time. A longtime member of PTNPA, Hal has been actively participating in the Association’s events ever since attending his first PTNPA Convention in 1984. A proud North Carolinian, Hal holds a BS in Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University and resides in Edenton, North Carolina with his wife Carolyn.

Alongside brothers Stephen and Joseph, Jeannine grew up in the family business, learning every aspect along the way. As a young adult and early in her career, Jeannine’s focus shifted to gain experience in logistics, commodity selling/trading, marketing, and the political issues of our industry. Jeannine spent several years working in Washington, DC learning the intricacies of federal environmental and water use policies that not only impact her family’s own company, but all of agriculture here in the United States. Jeannine’s experience has led her to become an advocate for our industry through her involvement in various local, state, and federal committees and organizations. In addition to her responsibilities as an industry advocate, she also oversees the day-to-day office and sales operations.

Currently CFO at Truly Good Foods, Eric Leonard is a licensed CPA with a dual major in Accounting/Finance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Eric has been serving in finance and operations leadership roles in the food manufacturing sector for 8 years. Prior to that, he spent several years in a top 10 public accounting firm with a focus on manufacturing and distribution. Eric, his wife Sara, and son Ollie, currently reside in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, the headquarters of Truly Good Foods.

Angelo Losurdo is the Director of Quality and Food Safety at Golden Peanut a role he has held since January 2021. From 2019 to 2022, he had various roles within the organization including Senior Quality Manager of Golden Peanut & Tree Nuts and Global Director of Supplier Quality for ADM.  Angelo, with over 25 years in the food industry, joined Golden Peanut in 2019. Prior to Golden Peanut, he held a variety of leadership roles at the Georgia Nut Co., Flagstone Foods, and TreeHouse Foods.  During his decade at TreeHouse, as Vice President of Quality & Quality Systems for the snacks division, he held roles of increasing responsibility in quality, technical, and food safety. Angelo earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Steve Zaffarano has had an extensive and wide-ranging career in the tree nut industry spanning several decades, working for cooperatives, public and privately held organizations. Steve’s career has been specifically focused on procurement, processing and sales of culinary and snack nuts globally. Steve has a bachelor’s degrees in Agribusiness and Economics and currently serving on several industry boards.

Brian Dunning is the President and CEO of ShoEi Foods USA, Inc and has been serving in that role since 2017.  After completing his B.S. degree in Genetics from the University of California at Davis, he joined Campbell Soup Company in Sacramento, and over a 17-year career with Campbell’s, Brian held roles in Quality Systems, Operations, Environmental and Safety which included managing two Campbell’s California tomato processing facilities and providing support for Campbell’s global manufacturing businesses.  From 2007 to 2017, Brian served as Director – Corporate Quality Assurance for Blue Diamond Growers.  Brian currently serves as Chair of the Almond Quality, Food Safety and Services Committee for the Almond Board of California.  He also serves on the Prune Board of California, the Walnut Board of California Standards & Grades Committee, California Walnut Commission Board, the UC Davis Food Science Leadership Board, and as a Director for the DFA of California/Safe Food Alliance.

Bill Carriere is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up on the family farm in Glenn, CA.  After attending University of California, Davis, and earning a B.S. in Agricultural Economics, Bill returned to work on the family farm.  He started work as a farm laborer, ranch manager, controller, and now to President and CEO, Bill has been working to continue to grow and diversify the family owned and run farming operation.  Carriere Family Farms grows walnuts, almonds, rice, and oil olives as well as operating two walnut hulling and drying facilities, a custom farming operation, and a walnut processing plant which processes and markets walnuts for local growers as well as their own.  Bill is a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, a Glenn County Planning Commissioner, and a member of the California Walnut Board and Commission.

As General Manager for Empire Nut Company, Thiara is responsible for the management of Empire Nut walnut processing facility and a diversified farming operation engaged in growing prunes, walnuts, almonds and peaches in the northern and central valleys of California. Thiara is an active Board Member of Sunsweet Growers, Inc. and River Valley Community Bank. He holds a BS from California State University, Fresno and a MBA from Santa Clara University. Thiara and his wife Navneet have three children.

Richard Rosenblatt joined The Richard Franco Agency (RFA) in 2004 and currently a principal. Richard is currently the Nut & Ag Chair of the Association of Food Industries (AFI) and has been a frequent speaker at PTNPA, the International Nut Congress and the African Cashew Alliance. His company, RFA, was founded in 1947 and is a leading supplier of Cashews, Brazil Nuts and Macadamias for over 75 years. In addition to their headquarters in the United States, RFA has offices in India, Vietnam and Brazil. The company sells very discriminately for over 150 suppliers in two dozen countries to over 70 buyers worldwide. Many of the major tree nut buyers globally look to RFA as a valuable source for reliable supply and market information.

Larry George is the founder and co-owner of several businesses with his brother Shaun George. Larry is the President of George Packing Company Inc., the largest hazelnut processing operation in the United States. Larry and Shaun also own Northwest Hazelnut Company of Hubbard, Oregon, the nation’s third largest hazelnut processing company; and are co-owners of Golden Tree Farms Inc., an Oregon farming operation raising 1,100 acres of hazelnuts. State Senator Larry George was elected in 2006 to represent Oregon Senate District 13 and retired after two terms in January of 2015. During his terms in office, Senator George was assigned to serve on business and finance committees including Vice-chair of Finance and Revenue; Vice-Chair of General Government; Consumer and Small Business Protection; Business and Transportation; Commerce, Education and Workforce Development. Larry George graduated from Oregon State University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Business in International Finance, and a second bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts in Political Science, with a minor in International and Regional Economics. Larry is married to Jessica Johnson George; they have two daughters, ages 13 and 11, and an eight-year-old son.

Josh Albrecht has been with Red River Commodities for nine years, working within both the sales and operations divisions. Currently, he is the Director of SunGold Foods, a division of Red River Commodities. Josh holds a BA in Business Administration with concentration in Management and a BA in History Political Science from the University of Jamestown. Additionally, he earned an MA in Business Administration Management from the University of Mary. Josh and Red River Commodities have been a PTNPA member for nine years.

With a career in macadamias spanning nearly 40 years, Brian has acquired an in-depth understanding of the nut industry as well as an attuned awareness to the evolution of the global consumer market. Starting his career with CSR, the original pioneer of the Australian macadamia industry, he later took on senior roles with MacFarms of Hawaii, in both Hawaii and California, where he spent 15 years collectively gaining a deep knowledge of the retail sector. In 2010, with two leading global macadamia processors, Brian co-founded a specialist global macadamia company – Green & Gold Macadamias – and over the years has positioned the business as an influential platform for global market growth. As the CEO of Green & Gold, Brian is committed to elevating “brand macadamia” through the value chain.  He also sits on the of Australian Macadamias Marketing Committee and has been a past Chairman.

Vice President, Global Sales/Marketing for Campos Brothers Farms. After a number of years in the footwear industry, as a Marketing Manager at NIKE and working as a Vice President for such companies as Diadora, Hi-Tec Sports, and Teva, he turned his interest to the almond industry, as Director, Marketing and Communications for the Almond Board of California. He then went to work for Campos Brothers Farms and has had the privilege of working for the Campos Family the past 20+ years. Mr. Duerr sits on the Board of Directors for the Specialty Crop Trade Council, and The Fresno Resiliency Center.

Brian Tormey is an accomplished professional with over 40 years of experience in the California almond industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Chico and a Masters of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Currently serving as the Vice President of Commercial at Treehouse, Brian is responsible for the development and marketing of sales, which exceed $280 million and cover more than 62 countries worldwide. At Treehouse, a leading almond ingredient company, Brian plays a pivotal role in producing premium quality almond ingredients while upholding a deep respect for land, farmers, society, and the environment. With a commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships across the value chain, Treehouse has emerged as an industry leader in sustainable and regenerative growing practices.

Darren Rigg currently manages marketing and performs some field procurement for Minturn Nut Company. Founded in 1996, Minturn Nut Company is a grower owned independent almond handler out of Le Grand, California. With a commitment to the grower, Minturn has been able to grow with the industry and become one the larger independent almond processors. Darren serves on the Almond Board of California representing the independent handler year-to-year seat.  He has worked in the almond industry since 2008 and is well versed across many aspects of the industry where he has performed everything from plant production to exporting. A native of the Valley and a graduate of both Chico State and Fresno State, where he obtained his MBA, Darren is committed to the ongoing success of the Almond Industry as well as Agriculture more broadly. An outspoken member of the industry, he’s more than willing to share his thoughts!

Collins started in the peanut industry in 2009 and founded MC McNeill and Co. in 2011 with a focus on balancing the goals of both supplier and end user. Working with customers of all sizes large and small the business has grown every year since its inception. A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Collins enjoys the outdoors when not working and is an avid saltwater fisherman and bird hunter. Collins is married to the former Ashleigh Stroud and the couple has 5 children from 19 to 25. Collins is a graduate of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture.

Stephen O’Mara is the president of J.F. Braun & Sons, Inc. In 1991, Stephen graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a BS in Business and Finance with a concentration in International Studies. Stephen began his career in international business in Philadelphia with BDP, a fullservice, integrated logistics company. In 1995, Stephen joined Atalanta Corporation/the Gellert Global Group. The GGG has been in operation for nearly 100 years while importing over 6,000 different food items sources from over 60 countries worldwide, while servicing over 8,500 customers across the US food industry. In 1999 the GGG acquired J. F. Braun & Sons, Inc. from ConAgra and Stephen transferred to J. F. Braun as Vice President. Stephen became President of J. F. Braun in 2005. Stephen is a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Food Industries (AFI) and the Peanut & Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA).

Juliet's passion for regenerative agriculture fuels her drive to develop sustainable supply chains for the benefit of the farmers, harvesters, factory workers, consumers, and the environment. She builds strategic partnerships and sustainability projects that inspire Red River’s customers to invest in the supply chains of the future. She fosters key global supplier and customer relationships through immersive travel to origin to exhibit current projects and to develop tomorrow's equitable supply chains. Juliet's experience includes creating new supply chains, from the discovery of new products all the way to the launch of the items at some of the largest global retailers in the world. Juliet believes the re-engineering of our global food supply systems can lay the blueprint for equitable supply chains for all stakeholders across many industries.

Shalin Behal has had a  twenty seven year career in the nuts business, specializing in cashews.  His travels have taken him to live and work in every corner of the cashew world from South America / Asia and Africa.  He was one of the first entrants into Vietnam, when the economy re-opened and the cashew sector started to develop and he hopes to do the same again with the burgeoning industry in Africa.  His experiences have made him an expert in all elements of the cashew supply chain from RCN / kernel processing and trading.  Shalin currently heads the Cashew Department for Terra Nova Trading and is based out of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Jim Zion is currently the Managing Partner of Meridian Growers, LLC located in Madera, CA and Morro Bay, California.  Meridian Growers is a grower owned processing, sales and marketing company supplying Arizona and California dried fruit and nut products to buyers around the world.  He currently serves on the American Pistachio Growers board as Vice Chair.  He also currently serves on the board of directors for the Specialty Crop Trade Council.  He is involvement with his alma mater also includes serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council for Cal Poly, SLO College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science   Jim is also a long term member of the Central California Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Association board.   Finally, he was appointed by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the USDA/USTR ATAC for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. Jim is a 1986 graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA with a BS in Agricultural Business.  He obtained his Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from California State University, Fresno in 1994. Jim resides in Morro Bay, CA with his wife Gloria.  They are blessed with four children and four grandkids.

Brandon Harrell “legally” started in the pecan industry in 1996 although his introduction to the industry started when he was a small child.  His father, Marty Harrell had all 3 of his sons around pecan shelling plants from the time they could barely walk.  It’s a miracle, their first words weren’t “PECAN”.  All Harrell boys learned the pecan shelling business from the ground up as their father had.  This perspective helped each Harrell brother be a contributing factor to Harrell Nut Company’s growth.  Brandon served as the Vice-President, co-owner, and Sales Manager for Harrell Nut Company, which later sold to ADM in 2014.  After leaving his longtime home in south-Georgia and ADM in early 2018, he changed careers into real estate and moved to Dothan, AL.  The pecan industry has been called a sickness, rather than a career and as luck would have it, Brandon is terminal and found his way back into the pecan industry as the President of Sales for Southern Roots Nut Company in 2020.  As Southern Roots opened a shipping and receiving warehouse in Dothan, AL, Brandon assumed an additional role as Chief Operations Officer for Southern Roots where he currently serves.

As South Georgia Pecan’s chief executive officer, Jeff oversees the company’s corporate strategy, manages shareholder and government relations, and is responsible for forming new business partnerships. Before being named CEO in 2020, Jeff led the company’s sales, procurement and operations department’s as President and COO. He also traveled the country promoting Pecans and other tree nuts to expand our distribution channel after joining the company in 2008.

Joel Perkins has been on the PTNPA board for approximately 10 years, including serving as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chairman. With nearly 20 years of experience in the nut industry, including almond and pistachio processing and marketing and domestic nut trading, Joel is the current CEO of Horizon Nut Company in Tulare, California. Horizon Nut Company is a grower-owned huller, processor, and marketer of California pistachios, pastes, and butters, representing grower-owners throughout the Central Valley of California, From Bakersfield to Chico. Horizon Nut Company markets its product in every major export market, domestically as a bulk industrial and private label supplier, and under its retail brand of Fiddyment Farms.

Mia Cohen is Chief Operating Officer (COO) at her family’s companies; Setton Farms, Inc., Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., Setton International Foods, Inc., and Setton Organic LLC. Setton Pistachio is America’s second largest grower, processor and marketer of pistachios and is widely known around the globe for its top-quality pistachios. Mia joined the family pistachio business over 20 years ago and is responsible for leading the company’s strategic direction and operations. Mia is very active in the pistachio industry and serves on many industry boards.

Mike Celani is Senior Vice President, Domestic Retail Sales at Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, LLC. A wholly owned operating company of The Wonderful Company, WP&A is the world’s largest grower, processor, and marketer of pistachios and almonds. Mike began his career at WP&A in 2014. As Senior Vice President, Mike is responsible for leading the company’s growth strategy through innovative initiatives in the U.S. and Canada. Mike has almost 50 years of experience with CPG companies, holding various sales management and executive positions with General Foods, M&M Mars Company, and Chiquita Banana Brands. Prior to joining WP&A, he was the Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Ready Pac, where he was responsible for all Foodservice and Retail channel sales and oversaw the development and introduction of over 500 new items for the company.