The BC Fruit Growers鈥� Association (BCFGA) has hired a new general manager.

Melissa Tesche was formerly the general manager of the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Board from 2015.

A BCFGA release states Tesche has experience with the Okanagan Water Basin Board and degrees in conservation biology and biological sciences from the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta.

Tesche, who is from Alberta, takes over from retiring general manager Glen Lucas on March 4 following his 25-year tenure.

鈥淲e are very happy to welcome Melissa to the BCFGA team,鈥� said Peter Simonsen, BCFGA president. 鈥淚t is a great advantage that past general manager Glen Lucas has developed a transition plan, which started last March, and that Glen has agreed to support Melissa in her new role.鈥�

Tree Fruit sector operations and capital investments, directly and indirectly, contributed $162 million to B.C.鈥檚 gross domestic product in 2019, sustaining an estimated 2,490 jobs.

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