Chris Britton (left), past chair of USApple, hands the gavel to incoming chair Mark Nicholson.(Courtesy of USApple) Mark Nicholson of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, New York, has succeeded Chris Britton of Modesto, California, as chair of the U.S. Apple Association with Mike Wade of Wenatchee, Washington, as vice president. Jon Alegria of Yakima, Washington, was appointed secretary, and John Graden of Cashmere, Washington, was reappointed treasurer. Mark Boyer of Fishertown, Pennsylvania, joined the executive committee. Diane Smith with the Michigan Apple Committee replaced Todd Fryhover of the Washington Apple Commission as this year’s state association board member