Western Growers Names Thomas Nassif as CEO

In an effort to raise its profile on trade issues, produce industry group Western Growers Assn. named a former U.S. ambassador, Thomas Nassif, as its new president and chief executive.

Irvine-based Western Growers lobbies on behalf of its 3,500 fruit, vegetable and nut growers and shippers in California and Arizona, who are responsible for about half the nation’s fresh produce supply.

By electing Nassif, a former ambassador to Morocco during the Reagan administration and former chief of protocol under President Reagan, the WGA’s members believe they can have more influence on federal trade policy as they seek to expand markets for their goods around the world and protect the interests of farmers in state legislatures.

“Tom seems to have a wealth of information and experience regarding how to work the political side of our business. He’s adept at handling both sides of the aisle, and he’s a shrewd negotiator,” said WGA vice chairman and broccoli shipper John D’Arrigo of D’Arrigo Bros. in Salinas, Calif.

Since returning from Morocco, Nassif has served as chairman of pipeline engineering company Gulf Interstate Engineering. He also was president of real estate developer Los Alamos Land Co. and partner in an international business and political consulting company.

Nassif, who will be based in Irvine, succeeds David Moore, who died last summer.

Melinda Fulmer