Merrill Farms Executive Danielle Dupree McShane Joins UnitedAg Board of Trustees

For Immediate Release

Merrill Farms Executive Danielle Dupree McShane Joins UnitedAg Board of Trustees
Salinas Valley woman becomes ninth Trustee of United Agricultural Employee Welfare Benefit Plan & Trust, joining other agribusiness leaders from across California

IRVINE, Calif., May 5, 2017 – UnitedAg, a member-owned agricultural trade association representing more than 650 organizations in California and Arizona, announced today that Danielle Dupree McShane, Chief Administrative Officer for Salinas Valley-based Merrill Farms LLC, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the United Agricultural Employee Welfare Benefit Plan & Trust (UABT). UABT provides health benefits to UnitedAg’s member organizations, which together represent more than 35,000 insured members.

“We’re fortunate and delighted to have someone with Danielle Dupree McShane’s talents join our Board of Trustees,” said UABT Board Chairman Allan Teixeira. “Danielle is an accomplished agribusiness executive and passionate advocate of affordable, quality healthcare for agricultural workers and their families. She brings additional skills and experience to our already strong and dedicated Board.”

Dupree McShane joined Merrill, a fourth-generation grower of lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, onions, raspberries, strawberries and specialty crops, in 2001. As Chief Administrative Officer, she manages the company’s financial reporting, federal and state reporting, payroll and accounts payable, employee health benefits, and workers’ compensation. She previously served as an actuarial consultant and is experienced in discounting future liabilities, and in compliance and law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the University of California, San Diego, and a certificate in advanced project management from the Stanford Center for Professional Development. She also is a California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 43) graduate .

“I’m honored to join the Board of Trustees of the United Agricultural Employee Welfare Benefit Plan & Trust and relish our role in insuring the health and well-being of the people and families who help produce our crops and put food on our tables,” said Dupree McShane.

In addition to Dupree McShane and Teixeira, the other members of the UABT Board are Mack Ramsay, President/Managing Member, Pacific Commerce Group LLC; Glenn Miller, President, Saticoy Lemon Association; Thomas Amaro, Owner/President, Pacific Ag Consulting; John Ben, President, Aqua Ben Corp. and Hydrosorb, inc.™; Craig Waite, President and Founder, Growers Container; Pat Regan, Regan Distributors Transportation, Inc.; and Judy Lundberg-Wafer, Chairman and Founder, Babé Farms.

About UnitedAg

UnitedAg has been providing affordable health benefit plans exclusively to the agribusiness community through the United Agricultural Employee Welfare Benefit Plan & Trust (UABT) since 1983. It has the experience and resources to tailor health benefit plans to meet the unique needs of agribusinesses and their employees. Today, its employer health benefit contributions total over $120 million. Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 650 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, including agricultural companies (growers, shippers, coolers, processors, dairy and livestock producers, and supporting businesses); associates; cooperatives; and partner agricultural associations. UnitedAg helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interests with lawmakers, and helps them comply with legislation and regulation. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Oxnard, Corona, Salinas, Fresno and Santa Maria. For more information, visit unitedag.org or call (800) 223-4590.

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