Santa Paula Grower Now Interim Calavo President

Santa Paula avocado grower Lee Cole can tack another title onto his resume.

Already chairman and chief executive of the Tustin-based Calavo Growers of California, Cole now has added the role of interim president to his responsibilities. He replaces grower Ron Bennett, who had served as president of the cooperative for a little more than a year.

“Basically it will just be steady as she goes,” Cole said. “It was just the natural thing for me to take over the duties. There aren’t really any major issues facing us--it will just be the day-to-day operations of Calavo. Business will be conducted as usual.”

Calavo represents about 1,700 avocado growers between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, with more than 500 of those growers in Ventura County. Members of the 75-year-old organization account for more than 23,600 acres of avocados and have total sales of more than $150 million.

The cooperative operates packing plants in Santa Paula, Temecula and Uruapan, Mexico. Calavo’s guacamole processing facilities are located in Santa Paula and Mexicali.

Cole said the shift at the top of the Calavo hierarchy comes at a time when the avocado industry as a whole is thriving.

“The avocado business is very good and the future of avocados looks very good,” he said. “Prices are higher. All growers have to do is get the production out. It’s as good a commodity as any. Some farmers are hurting, some are not, but overall it looks good.”

Cole said a permanent president of Calavo will be selected by the organization’s board of directors.