Speaker Bios

Michael Boland, Professor at University of Minnesota

Michael Boland is a Professor, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Mike Boland holds the Koller Endowed Professorship in agribusiness management and information technology, and researches economic issues affecting managerial decisions of agribusiness and food industry managers. He also serves as director of The Food Industry Center at University of Minnesota. Dr. Boland’s academic research focuses on economic issues affecting the governance of agricultural and food supply or value chains. Dr. Boland also teaches modules on governance, finance, and strategy to cooperative boards of directors and management.

Brett Lauppe, Region Vice President at CoBank

Brett Lauppe is Region Vice President for CoBank covering the Western U.S.  He has been with CoBank for 15 years holding positions in credit and relationship management prior to his current managerial role.  Brett leads a team of relationship managers supporting CoBank’s cooperative and purchase participation portfolios.  He holds a Bachelors in Agribusiness from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Masters in Agribusiness from Texas A&M University.

Renee Avilla, Credit Director at CoBank

Renee Avilla is a Credit Director at CoBank, covering the Western US and the Northeast states for the Regional Agribusiness portfolio.  She has worked in various credit roles at CoBank for 20 years, and now leads the Credit Underwriting team.  Renee and her team support portfolio credit management, underwriting, analysis and servicing of CoBank’s cooperative and purchased participation loans.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Concentration in Finance and Appraisal, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

John Park, Roy B. Davis Professor of Agricultural Cooperation, Texas A&M University

Dr. John Park is a professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University, where he also holds the Roy B. Davis Professorship in Agricultural Cooperation. A faculty member since 2000, Dr. Park earned his PhD from Texas A&M in 1996. Known for his dynamic teaching and ability to connect real-world applications with academic concepts, he has received national awards for teaching excellence from the Western and Southern Agricultural Economic Associations, as well as recognition from the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M. A leader in food marketing and agribusiness, Dr. Park has served in multiple roles within the Food Distribution Research Society, including president and board member, earning both the Patrick J. Byrne Award for Emerging Leadership and the Frank Panyko Award for Distinguished Service. Since 2003, he has been a director of the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council (TACC), receiving its Distinguished Service Award for his contributions, including establishing an internship program to connect students with careers in the cooperative industry.

Tricia Geringer, Director of Government Affairs of Ag Council of California

Tricia Geringer joined Ag Council as Director of Government Affairs in 2010 and advocates at the state Capitol on behalf of Ag Council’s members on legislative policy issues that affect them.  Previously, she worked as Legislative Director for a member of Congress in Washington, D.C. focusing on agriculture, energy, immigration, trade and water policy. Tricia also worked in San Diego as Director of Public Policy and Development for CONNECT, which is a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs launch companies. She was raised on a farm in Fresno where her family grows wine grapes and raisin grapes.  Tricia holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from California State University, Fresno, a master's degree in public policy from George Mason University, and she earned her law degree from Thomas Jefferson University in San Diego. Tricia is a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class 43.  She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Sacramento, which is a leadership development program created by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

Robby Walker – Tax Principal at Clifton Larson Allen

Robby Walker is a tax principal at CLA’s Sacramento office with 20 years of experience serving California clients in agriculture, cooperatives, and food and beverage industries. With over 130 locations in the U.S., including fourteen in California, CLA creates opportunities through industry-focused audit, tax, outsourcing, digital, consulting, and wealth advisory services.  As CLA’s national agribusiness and cooperatives industry leader, he provides tax and consulting services to cooperatives and members. Robby holds a CPA designation and helps clients navigate complex regulations, optimize financial performance, and achieve strategic goals. His deep understanding of cooperative structures and agricultural operations has earned him a reputation for delivering insightful and actionable advice. Robby is a frequent speaker, contributing to thought leadership in the cooperative and agricultural sectors. He has presented at numerous conferences and seminars, sharing his expertise on topics ranging from fiscal management to governance and compliance. Robby's commitment to excellence and passion for supporting these communities make him an invaluable resource in advancing their financial stability and long-term success. 

Melanie LaPerriere – President/CEO for Cherry Central Cooperative

Melanie La Perriere graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, earning a BSBA in Marketing with an emphasis on Psychology, and pursued MBA studies at California State University–Sacramento. Their career began at Procter & Gamble, where roles included Sales Representative, Unit Manager in the Food Division, and leading a high-performance team supporting West Coast sales. Transitioning to agriculture, she spent 12 years at Blue Diamond Growers, implementing an ERP system, restructuring the organization, and supporting the Blue Diamond brand's growth as Marketing Operations Manager. Subsequently, they joined MBG Marketing, a blueberry cooperative, where they created Naturipe Foods, partnering with Munger Farms and Hortifrut SA, eventually becoming Vice President of Sales. 

In May 2019, Melanie became President/CEO of Cherry Central Cooperative in Traverse City, Michigan, overseeing grower-owner operations producing various fruit products. Currently, they reside in Saugatuck and Traverse City, Michigan, while considering Northern California home.

Laura Gerhard – VP of Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients and International Branded businesses.

Laura Gerhard is the Vice President of Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients and International Branded businesses. Laura leads the day-to-day operations providing strategic leadership for the world’s largest processor and marker of almonds, overseeing international market expansion and driving innovation ingredient expertise. She is responsible for accelerating growth across the product portfolio, which includes Blue Diamond branded products and a growing array of almond-based ingredients such as almond protein powder, almond butter, and flavored almonds. Laura began her career with Blue Diamond Growers in 2017 as Director, Strategy and Planning with Global Ingredients where she has driven business growth, developed a strong team and organized strategic planning. In 2020 Laura's role was expanded as she assumed responsibility for Global Ingredient Division Marketing. Laura was promoted to lead the Global Ingredient Division in 2021. Laura has worked in food and agriculture for over 25 years. Prior to her tenure at Blue Diamond, Laura held various leadership positions at Cargill where she gained rich experience in global commodity trading, demonstrated a commitment to product innovation, customer development, and strategic planning. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Finance from Saint Olaf College and a master’s degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University. Laura is also actively engaged on industry committees and boards, further showcasing her dedication to advancing the agriculture and food sectors. 

Rich Hudgins – President and Chief Executive Officer of the CA Canning Peach Association.

Rich Hudgins is President and CEO of the California Canning Peach Association, a grower-owned cooperative representing nearly 75% of California's cling peach production. Joining the Association in 1981, he held roles including Director of Administrative Services and Chief Operating Officer before becoming President in 2002. His responsibilities include marketing grower tonnage, negotiating prices, and addressing industry issues impacting cling peach growers. A 1980 graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a BS in Agricultural Management, Hudgins serves on the USDA/USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee, advising on U.S. trade policy. He is an advocate for USDA child nutrition programs and California specialty crop growers. Hudgins also leads the Canning Peach Mechanization Research Fund and serves on the boards of the Agricultural Council of California and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). He previously chaired NCFC’s Government Affairs Committee and now heads its Fruit, Vegetable & Nut Subcommittee.