Ed Ing, Bill Zirkle, Leo Garcia and Dave Gleason all took home honors on Dec. 10 at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s annual industry awards banquet in Yakima.

Ing, a longtime employee at Mount Adams Fruit in White Salmon, received the Silver Pear Award.

“The pear industry has a bright future,” Ing said.

Ed Ing, left, receives the Silver Pear Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower) — Ed Ing, left, receives the Silver Pear Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. **(Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)**

Ing has worked at Mount Adams for 41 years and has held several different roles, now as director of product. He also has a long history of serving on industry groups. He currently is a member of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers research committee, the Northwest Horticultural Council’s food safety executive committee and the research subcommittee of the Fresh Pear Committee, among others. He also operates 90 acres of pears, apples and cherries in Oregon’s Hood River Valley.

Bill Zirkle, founder of Rainier Fruit Co. in Selah, won the Silver Apple Award.

“There’s several factors in the tough state we’re in, but our ship will right itself, and I hope that we’re all here when it does so we can be a part of it,” he said.

Bill Zirkle, left, receives the Silver Apple Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower) — Bill Zirkle, left, receives the Silver Apple Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. **(Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)**

Born on a 33-acre farm near Selah, he and his family built a 900-bin cold storage warehouse and packing line. He founded Rainier Fruit Sales in 1974 and led both Zirkle Fruit and the sales company until passing the business to his son, Mark, in 2009. Though no longer in charge, he is still involved with the companies and the fruit industry.

Longtime educator Garcia received the Distinguished Service Award.

“I’m not up here alone, because all the industry greats … lifted me up,” Garcia said.

Leo Garcia, left, receives the Distinguished Service Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower) — Leo Garcia, left, receives the Distinguished Service Award on Dec. 10 from Jeff Baldwin at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting awards banquet at the Yakima Convention Center. **(Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)**

The former orchard worker, manager and fieldman served as lead faculty for the two-year tree fruit program at Wenatchee Valley College and developed the college’s Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program that is designed to train Latino supervisors and managers. Thousands of students have taken the courses. He retired in 2021 but still offers private training and workshops.

Gleason, a bilingual horticulturalist for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, was given the Latino Leadership Award.

Intrigued by the cultural backgrounds of the workers at his family’s farm, Gleason learned different languages at a young age. He studied German and Spanish in high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in German at Central Washington University with a minor in Spanish. During his many years in the fruit industry, he has often spent days speaking more Spanish than English. He frequently participates in Spanish-language field days and Latino cultural events.

Gleason was unable to attend the banquet because he is touring with the International Fruit Tree Association in South Africa. Armando Escareno accepted the award on his behalf.

—by Ross Courtney