California Dried Plum Board/Prune Marketing Committee
Farm Organization/Trade Association
2018 - 2020
Donn Zea is the Executive Director of the California Dried Plum Board and Prune Marketing Committee, the state and federal marketing orders for California prunes. On behalf of California’s premium prune growers and processors, Donn and his team develop and execute strategies that support the growth of California prune consumption and value through domestic and international marketing strategies, science-based nutrition discovery, crop and sustainability research, and trade and agricultural policy communications.
Prior to joining the prune industry in April 2011, Donn led programs in agricultural marketing, research, communications and government relations as President of the California Forest Products Commission and Northern California Water Association and Vice-President of the California Forestry Association. An enthusiastic advocate for California agriculture for more than 28 years, Donn has served in a variety of industry, non-profit and university leadership positions where he has helped to guide efforts and engage consumers, trade and key opinion leaders on food and agriculture's economic and social benefits. Donn holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Donn’s current board and organizational involvement includes: Dean’s Council, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly, SLO; Chair, Board of Governors, CSU Agricultural Research Institute; Chair, Buy California Marketing Agreement; Executive Director, California Dried Fruit Coalition; and a member of Secretary Perdue’s USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.