Mike Smyth, Olam Food Ingredients, Elected as CLFP 2023-2024 Chair

Mike Smyth, Olam Food Ingredients, was elected the 2023-2024 chair of the California League of Food Producers (CLFP) at its Annual Board of Directors Meeting on April 27.

Smyth is the Senior Vice President of Operations of Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), which is based in Fresno, CA. ofi sources from 2.75 million farmers, retains over 20,000 employees, operates globally, and focuses on producing high-quality products such as cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices.

Other 2023-2024 CLFP officers elected were Melvin Ward, Sunsweet Growers, Inc., Yuba City, CA, as first vice chair, and Mona Shulman, Pacific Coast Producers, Lodi, CA, as second vice chair. Jim Lipman, California Olive Ranch, Chico, CA, will continue as immediate past chair.
CLFP Board of Director members were nominated to serve new and continued terms on the Executive Committee.

Nominated for 2023-2025 terms were Lily Chiem, Kagome, Inc., Los Banos, CA; Danny Green, Los Gatos Tomato Products, Huron, CA; Tim Hamilton, ConAgra Brands, Inc., Oakdale, CA; Frank Mecozzi, Del Mar Food Products Corp., Watsonville, CA; and Chris Rufer, The Morning Star Packing Company, Woodland, CA. 

Nominated for 2023-2024 terms were Jon Alby, Leprino Foods Company, Denver, CO; Nick Kastle, J.G. Boswell Company, Pasadena, CA; David Kiehn, Campbell Soup Supply Company, Dixon, CA; Chris Lehikainen, Stanislaus Food Products, Modesto, CA; Aret Meyer, Sensient Natural Ingredients, LLC, Turlock CA; and Michael Wood, Hilmar Cheese Company, Hilmar, CA.