The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC) announces the addition of two new committee members, John C. Gless as the citrus nursery representative for Southern California and Brad Carmen as a grower representative from Tulare County. The two will advise the committee on the latest activities associated with the statewide citrus pest and disease work plan in their respective regions.
Gless is a third-generation farmer employed by Gless Ranch, Inc., following the family traditions of his grandfather, John J. Gless, and father, John S. Gless. Dedicated to protecting the citrus industry, Gless currently supervises and manages Gless Ranch Southern California’s farming and nursery operation.
Carmen brings 27 years of experience in the citrus industry to the CPDPC and currently serves as the pest management director for Sun Pacific Farming. A native of Tulare County, Carmen is a graduate of Fresno State University with a degree in plant science. He currently lives in the Exeter area with his wife and two children and looks forward to serving on the CPDPC to help defend California’s valuable citrus industry.
The CPDPC advises the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and the agricultural industry about efforts to combat citrus pests and diseases, like the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing, that threaten the state’s citrus crop.
Currently, a committee member vacancy exists for one grower representative from Ventura County. The member term expires on September 30, 2023. Individuals interested in being considered for a committee appointment should send a brief resume by May 1, 2020 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, 2800 Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 200, Sacramento, California 95833, Attention: Victoria Hornbaker.
For additional information, please review our previous announcement or contact: Victoria Hornbaker, Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division at (916) 654-0317, or