Jim Doornink speaks about bud count at the International Fruit Tree Association tour in Eastern Washington, July 2015. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)
Jim Doornink speaks about bud count at the International Fruit Tree Association tour in Eastern Washington, July 2015. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

After decades in a leadership role at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, board member Jim Doornink is stepping down as chair. He will be replaced by Sam Godwin, a grower from Tonasket, Washington.

Doornink, a grower from Wapato, Washington, has served on the commission since 1984. He plans to remain on the board, for now, to mentor some newer members.

“Jim has provided a tremendous service to the tree fruit industry,” Executive Director Ines Hanrahan said of Doornink’s time as chair of the commission. 

Rounding out the commission’s current leadership team are Jeff Cleveringa, vice chair, and Dena Ybarra, treasurer. 

Established by the state legislature in 1969, the commission allocates grower assessments to fund industry-priority research on apple, pear and cherry production. 

—by Kate Prengaman