Agritech New Zealand is excited to introduce Hank Giclas to a New Zealand audience. Hank will be joining the high-profile delegation of leading global agritech thought leaders and investors, led by Arama Kukutai of Finistere Ventures, when they visit the country from 22 – 25 May.
Hank will be attending the ‘10 billion mouths’ agritech conference in Tauranga on Wednesday 23 May. He will be known to many of the kiwi agritech delegates who have attended the past two Silicon Valley AgTech Immersion Programs. He’s the ‘face of agtech’ in Salinas, CA.
Hank Giclas – ‘The face of AgTech’ in Salinas
Henry L. (Hank) Giclas has worked for Western Growers since 1990. He began his career in the Phoenix office as the Director of Public Affairs where he was responsible for implementing Western Growers’ government affairs and public relations agendas in Arizona.
While serving in Arizona, Hank developed an expertise in agricultural chemical and environmental issues and led Western Growers to becoming more actively engaged in the science and technical aspects of agriculture and agricultural policy in California and Arizona. This science and technology focus allowed the association to take on managerial responsibilities for the Certified Crop Advisor programs in California and for the Arizona Crop Protection Association. Hank’s focus has helped Western Growers become a leading trade association in many of the issues related to the production and harvest of specialty crops in Arizona and California.
Hank was promoted to Vice-President of Science and Government Affairs where he led legislative and regulatory advocacy programs, political action efforts, technical and registration projects as well as the management of various local trade associations from Western Growers Sacramento Office.
In July 2002, Hank was called on to start a new division that would concentrate on the science and technology issues facing agriculture. That division now assists members with food safety, crop protection, environmental compliance, sustainability and a host of other areas where sound science and new technology must drive industry advancement, solutions and government policy. Since August 2003, Hank has directed strategic planning for the association.
Today, Hank serves as Senior Vice President Strategic Planning, Science and Technology for Western Growers and is actively developing association leadership in the areas of agricultural technology innovation, sustainability, food safety, food security, crop production and protection as well as assisting in the implementation of the association’s strategic plan.
Hank serves on many industry advisory boards and technical committees including for the Center for Produce Safety, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, Coalition for Urban and Rural Environmental Stewardship and the Specialty Crop Committee serving the National Agricultural Research Education, Extension and Economics Advisory Board.
Hank received his B.S. from the University of Arizona in Agricultural Education and was a vocational agriculture instructor before coming to Western Growers.
It is great that Hank can attend Techweek18’s headline agritech event, ‘10 billion mouths’. If you want to purchase a ticket to meet Hank and a host of other global agritech thought leaders, you can purchase one right now through the Techweek18 website.