Patricia King Named New Executive Director of California Olive Oil Council (COOC)

Patty Darragh Retires After 22 Years of Service to the California Olive Oil Council

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Californer -- California Olive Oil Council (COOC) has announced Patricia King as the new Executive Director. King will assume the role from former Executive Director, Patty Darragh who announced her retirement in Fall 2019 after 22 years of expanding the trade organization to the network of 300 certified producers, growers and retailers it is today. As Executive Director, King will oversee members of the COOC's staff and drive continued growth for the organization.

"I am thrilled and honored to join the California Olive Oil Council and look forward to continuing its mission of encouraging consumption of certified California extra virgin olive oil through education, outreach and communications," said King. "Our producers must annually pass strict sensory analysis and chemical tests which give consumers peace of mind that they are buying the highest quality extra virgin grade olive oil on the market."

Patricia King has extensive background in retail, catalog, and e-commerce and previously held senior leadership roles with industry-leading companies such as Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma, Trader Joe's, and most recently Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, where she held the position of Vice President of Restaurant and Retail. King holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel and Merchandising at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and a Holistic Nutrition Educator Certification from Bauman College - Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts in Berkeley, California.

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Additionally, King serves as a board member for Project Open Hand – a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area by providing nutritious meals to the sick and vulnerable, caring for and educating the community.

Under King's leadership, the COOC will continue "Why California?" – a campaign that celebrates the California olive oil industry and the importance of the COOC seal. The California Olive Oil Council's stringent Seal Certification Program requires that all producer members meet the high standards for extra virgin olive oil grade. To learn more about the COOC and "Why California?", visit the COOC's new microsite to explore the Golden State's premier olive oil producers and standards at www.whycaliforniaevoo.com.

About California Olive Oil Council (COOC)

The COOC is a trade association with the mission of encouraging the consumption of certified California extra virgin olive oil through education, outreach and communications. The COOC is committed to upholding the highest standards within the olive oil industry through its Seal Certification Program. For almost three decades, the COOC has built consumer trust and confidence through its Seal Certification Program assuring consumers and retailers that the seal signifies quality. With its reputation for the highest quality and most nutritious oils, the COOC Seal is only awarded to extra virgin olive oils that are certified and produced with 100% California grown olives. You can trust the COOC Seal.

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