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Gordon Kimball |
Gordon Kimball named Chairman
of the Board of Limoneira Company
December 10, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Gordon Kimball, whose family represents generations of local farming and agri-businesses, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors of Limoneira Company.
The leading agribusiness with prime agricultural land and operations, real estate and water rights in California, announced at its November 18th board meeting that Kimball has been elected as Board Chairman to replace longtime chair Alan Teague.
The 76-year-old Teague passed September 11.
Kimball, an engineer and the managing partner of the 110-acre avocado Kimball Ranches west of Santa Paula, said, “It is with pleasure that I accept the election to Limoneira’s Board Chairmanship.”
Kimball - who has been a Limoneira director since 1995 - serves on the Limoneira Audit Committee.
He has been president of Kimball Engineering, Inc., which provides racecar design and production services, since 1994.
Kimball had a long career in Formula One racecar design in England and Italy for McLaren International, Ferrari and Benetton Racing. He has also designed Indianapolis racecars for the famed Parnelli Jones, Chaparral and Patrick Racing teams.
He graduated from Stanford University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering.
Teague had been Limoneira’s board chairman twice, from 2004 until his death and earlier from 1988 to 1996.
Teague and other Limoneira chairmen of the past, said Kimball, “Left pretty large shoes to fill,” but he is looking forward to filling the most important chair in the boardroom at Limoneira’s historic company headquarters.
“I grew up in Santa Paula, and this great company has been part of my history,” and said Kimball, “I’m excited about the opportunities before us.”
“Gordon has played an integral role in Limoneira’s development,” said Harold Edwards, Limoneira CEO.
“His guidance has been invaluable as we’ve made acquisitions and grown our lemon business. He has the confidence of management and his fellow board members.”
In terms of Santa Paula, Kimball said, “I am looking forward to us finally getting a chance to build some houses and help the city and community,” with the East Area 1 and East Area 2 projects.
The development has been in the pipeline for almost a decade and after undergoing public scrutiny, it was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2008; the properties were formally annexed into the city in 2013.
The project will provide about 1,500 units of housing, schools, parks and other amenities as well as a 25-acre commercial-retail/light industrial/business park.
“It’s been nearly 10 years,” said Kimball, and “I think we’re getting close. I think it will help Santa Paula and hopefully, as we build it everyone will go ‘wow, this is really nice... ‘ and a benefit for Santa Paula. Development makes a lot of sense for Santa Paula,” not only by improving the city overall and offering more housing choices but also in attracting visitors.
Limoneira Co., founded in Santa Paula 120 years ago, “Is not a developer to come in, build houses, take the money and run.”
Said Kimball, “We live here, this is our home... and we want to do something everyone will be proud of for years go come.”
Limoneira Company has grown to become one of the premier integrated agribusinesses in the world. Limoneira is a dedicated sustainability company with approximately 10,000 acres of rich agricultural lands, real estate properties and water rights in California. The Company is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus and other crops that are enjoyed throughout the world.
For more information about Limoneira Company, visit www.limoneira.com
