Dave Phippen was honored as the 2016 Almond Achievement Award winner at the Almond Conference Gala Dinner held Dec. 8 in Sacramento, Calif.

He is a member of the Almond Board of California’s board of directors, the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary.

“Dave’s gift as a leader has been to become as well informed as possible about all aspects of the industry so he can make educated and thoughtful decisions,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and chief executive officer.

“Since Dave has worked with the Almond Board for so many years, he understands the accomplishments and capabilities of the organization and its staff.”

On the ABC board, Phippen has spent 16 years serving in different positions including vice chair and chair. He’s also participated in numerous board committees.

Phippen is co-owner of Travaille and Phippen, a four-generation farming operation, and is well known for giving back to the community and the almond industry. He has conducted numerous tours of his operation for fellow almond industry members.

“I’ve worked with Dave to coordinate tours on his operation, and he and his son-in-law, Nick Gatzman, always do a phenomenal job explaining the growing and harvesting process,” said Molly Spence, ABC’s director of North America.

“They do this in such a way that helps our attendees, mainly health professionals, understand all the hard, smart, and thoughtful work that goes into producing the food we buy at the store.”

As growers and handlers, Travaille and Phippen continuously foster innovation. From pest management to irrigation and fertilizing through harvest, Travaille and Phippen is constantly integrating technological innovation to help the Manteca grower, huller, sheller, packer, and processor farm sustainably while optimizing inputs and production.

Waycott says, “Dave and his family have opened their orchards and plants to dozens, if not hundreds, of visits by reporters, regulators, food and health professionals, and customers from around the world.

“His attitude is to encourage communication and understanding by inviting industry stakeholders to see firsthand what he and his family are doing. This has contributed to the good reputation of the industry, as well as the growth of almond usage.”

Since 2011, the Almond Achievement Award has been awarded to an industry or allied-industry member who has been an integral member of the California almond industry through long-term service, contributions, or innovations.

Past Almond Achievement Award recipients include Ned Ryan, Martin Pohl, Joe MacIlvaine, Dave Baker, and Jim Jasper.

Nominations for the Almond Achievement Award are accepted between August and October each year.