U.S.: Hass Avocado Board hires former Sunkist exec as industry affairs director
The U.S. Hass Avocado Board (HAB) has named former Ayco Farms and Sunkist Growers executive John B. McGuigan as the organization's new director of industry affairs. 
A release said McGuigan had worked with multiple commodities and in various-sized organizations over 30 years, with both domestic and international responsibilities.
“Fresh avocado consumption has catapulted in the last decade, and it’s exciting to join an organization whose goals are not only strategic but purpose driven,” McGuigan said.
He will focus on critical HAB goals including continued development of supply and demand data, quality and sustainability. His industry engagement efforts will aim to strengthen its awareness and support of board’s activities and programs.
“HAB’s mission of avocado market expansion in the U.S. will benefit from John’s extensive experience, strategic mindset and passion for our industry” said HAB executive director Emiliano Escobedo.
As vice president of West Coast operations for Florida-based Ayco Farms, McGuigan expanded the company’s footprint in the west while managing all supply chain and sales efforts.
He also served Dulcinea Farms LLC, a business unit of Syngenta AG, for six years, first as vice president of sales and marketing and then as general manager. These positions followed a 24-year career at Sunkist Growers, where he was vice president of fresh fruit sales.
Among a number of industry board positions, McGuigan was a founding member of the California Citrus Growers Association Board of Directors, where he served from 2004 to 2008.
He participated with Produce Marketing Association (PMA) for over eight years in multiple capacities including Produce Electronic Identification Board, the Retail Board, and on the organization’s main Board of Directors.
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