Dick Spezzano of Spezzano Consulting Service and Mark Munger of 4Earth Farms flank Chapman student Austin Ly.

John and Susan Kavanagh of Duda Farm Fresh Foods.

Bill Brooks of Westlake Produce with Dale Liefer of Pura Vida Farms.

April Aymami and Dave Cruz of the California Avocado Commission flank Larissa Salenik of Fresno State University.

Gary Caloroso of The Giumarra Cos. with Cote Clark of L.A. Produce Distributors.

Cal Poly Pomona adviser Dorothy Farais and student Serene Jamie Taylor with mentor Jeffrey McLellan of QSI, who is a Cal Poly Pomona alumni.

Connie Stukenberg of the California Avocado Commission with major program sponsor Jim Leimkuhler of Progressive Produce and student Larissa Salenik of Fresno State University.

Allany Chayasing and Rachel Isaacs of Chapman University flank Dave Howald of Pear Bureau Northwest.

Marty Craner of B&C Fresh Sales, who is the incoming chariman of the Center from Growing Talent, welcomed the crowd to the reception.

Jim Leimkuler of Progressive Produce Corp., who is the major sponsor of the Southern California event, also spoke to the crowd.

Laura Sterling of Zespri International, Paula Rae Methany of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Victoria McGrego of Ready Pac Foods, Megan Stallings of San Miguel Produce and Cote Clark of L.A. Produce Distributors.

Audrey Dunne of Apio Inc. and Kelly Craner of B&C Fresh Sales.

Guadalupe Becerril and Larissa Salenik of Fresno State are interspersed with Rich and Susan Van Valkenburg of Van Valkenburg & Associates.