Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1218525
13 ALMOND COMMUNITY Service, Teamwork Define Career of 2019 Almond Achievement Winner "Never forget who you work for, and never forget the job you are there to do." This is the guiding principle of an industry member who has spent decades putting in early mornings and long nights for the California almond community. Rob Kiss has never known a day without California agriculture and has made a career out of serving the almond industry. To recognize Kiss for his years spent supporting almond growers, the Almond Board of California (ABC) formally recognized him as the 2019 Almond Achievement Award winner during The Almond Conference 2019 last December in Sacramento. "Rob has had an outstanding and venerated career at Bayer and previously Blue Diamond Growers. He is well known and has been a respected leader for decades in the almond industry," said Nasser Dean of Bayer Crop Science. Kiss is the ninth recipient of this award, which seeks to recognize and thank an industry or allied industry member who has added value to the California almond industry through long-term service, contributions or innovations. "I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award than Rob," said Ben Goudie, chair of ABC's Global Communications Committee. A lifetime in agriculture Kiss was born and raised on a dairy and walnut operation in Merced County. He graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Chemistry and worked on his grandfather's ranch straight out of college. Kiss then became a Pest Control Advisor and worked in orchard management for several years. In his next role, Kiss would go on to serve as a Blue Diamond Growers Field Supervisor for over 30 years, retiring in 2014. He worked with growers in southern Stanislaus and northern Merced counties while also creating and authoring a regular column in Blue Diamond's magazine, Almond Facts, titled "Time to Consider." His columns were widely read and covered production issues as well as new research efforts to keep California's growers fully informed. "As a field supervisor, Rob worked hard to enhance the productivity and profitability of his growers. He represented growers' needs and desires to cooperative management and implemented cooperative polices within the grower member community," said Mel Machado, director of Member Relations at Blue Diamond Growers. After retiring from Blue Diamond, Kiss went to work as a Technical Representative for Bayer Crop Science, where he still punches in today. "Bayer recognized his vast experience after having worked with him for many years during his tenure at Blue Diamond, when Rob assisted in the coordination of various trials and projects," said Machado. Beyond his 9-to-5 job (which often extended beyond those hours), Kiss devoted himself to volunteering on various Almond Board committees and workgroups. In total, Kiss served for f more than 30 years on the Production Research Committee, f more than 20 years on the Environmental Research Committee, f six years on the Industry Services Committee, f three years as an Almond Leadership Program mentor, f three years on the Pest Management Workgroup, and f two years on the Leadership Development Committee. The Almond Board is thankful to Kiss for his many years of attending meetings and providing insight for the betterment of the California almond industry. "It has been a delight to work with Rob throughout my tenure at ABC," said Richard Waycott, ABC President & CEO. "Rob has one of the kindest and most thoughtful personalities combined with a conviction of service to the industry that has spanned more than 30 years." "I'm truly humbled by the recognition in receiving this award," said Kiss, who has spent his entire career serving the California agriculture community.