All the latest from WAEF
Scholarship announcements, new board members, volunteer recognition and the milestones that Washington's Tree Fruit industry makes possible for students — reported as they happen, and kept here for the record.
Brandon Flory serves as CFO of Gilbert Orchards and Sundquist Fruit and brings both financial expertise and a strong connection to the agricultural community in central Washington. Raised in the Naches area and a graduate of Washington State University, Brandon spent 12 years in public accounting before moving into his current role, always staying closely…
Greg Koch, Chief Executive Officer at Olympic Fruit, joins the Washington Apple Education Foundation Board of Directors with a lifelong connection to Washington agriculture and a deep appreciation for the opportunities education can create. Raised in the Yakima Valley, Greg grew up surrounded by the tree fruit industry. From working in warehouses as a young…
Mac Riggan, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Chelan Fresh, brings a lifetime of experience in Washington’s tree fruit industry to the WAEF Board of Directors. Mac began working at a young age in his family’s cherry orchard and built his career in a hands-on, family business environment where adaptability, teamwork and a…
For Jenny Faletto, education and agriculture have been intertwined throughout her life. Growing up in the Yakima Valley, she packed apples as a junior high student to help pay for basketball trips and packed soft fruit in the summers during college while pursuing her education. Today, she serves as Chief Financial Officer at Auvil Fruit, bringing…
We are excited to celebrate three outstanding students who were recipients of the Phil Jenkins Memorial/Yakima POM Club scholarships as they reach an important milestone in their educational journeys. Their success is a testament to years of hard work, determination and perseverance. For many years, the Yakima Pom Club has supported students through its partnership…
With Gratitude: Celebrating Emily Bautista‑Herdt’s Service to WAEF As Emily Bautista‑Herdt completes her term on the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) Board of Directors, we are thrilled to celebrate her service, leadership and lasting impact. Emily’s connection to WAEF is rooted in personal experience. As an adult student returning to college, she benefited from agricultural scholarships that helped make…
As Drew Belton completes his term on the Washington Apple Education Foundation Board of Directors, we are grateful for the leadership, time and care he has given to WAEF students and the broader community over the past three years. Drew’s connection to WAEF began after attending a Scholarship Luncheon and seeing firsthand the impact the…
The tree fruit industry has always moved through cycles: years of growth, years of challenge and constant adaptation in between. Robin Hansen, COO of Columbia Fruit Packers and a fourth‑generation member of the tree fruit community, understands those cycles deeply. Robin grew up in the orchards and the warehouse, shaped by a multigenerational farm family…
Washington’s tree fruit industry is built by hardworking, driven farmers—families whose pride comes from feeding the world while sustaining their communities. Lupe Villasenor understands that work at its roots. Lupe grew up alongside her family in orchards, spending her early years picking fruit and driving tractor. Those experiences shaped her deep respect for the dedication…
Keith Veselka is widely respected across Washington’s tree fruit industry as a thoughtful leader and an early advocate for using technology to strengthen on-farm decision making. As an owner at NWFM, he oversees orchard properties throughout the state on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds and private individuals, producing apples, cherries and pears across…
