David Mills Named Citizen of the Year in Salinas Valley

By Brian Gaylord
February 20, 2004

SALINAS, CA – David Mills, senior vice president of Mills Family Farms, has been named citizen of the year as part of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual awards. Chamber of commerce members nominated business groups and leaders Jan. 5. Previous recipients chose this year's winners, who were announced the week of Feb. 2.

All award recipients are members of the chamber of commerce and will receive a plaque at an awards luncheon to be held Thursday, Feb. 19 at the California Rodeo Banquet Hall in the Salinas Sports Complex.

Mr. Mills began his career at Mills Family Farms in 1972. In his role as senior vice president of Mills Family Farms, he's responsible for business development of traditional and value-added products as well as coordination of growing and harvesting operations, sales and marketing functions and food safety/security operations.

Mr. Mills serves on the board of directors for Western Growers Association as chairman of the marketing services and transportation committee. He also serves on the board of Monterey County Ag Education and is a founding board member of the Hide-N-Seek Children's Foundation. He is co-chairman of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and is vice chairman of the special gifts committee for the Salinas Community YMCA's capital development program.

Mr. Mills past contributions to the community include involvement with the Spreckels School board of directors, Spreckels School educational foundation board and Toro Little League board of directors. He was co-chairman of the American Heart Association's Produce for Heart campaign and chairman of the American Heart Association's Open Heart Open Golf Tournament.

Mr. Mills is past president of the Salinas Rotary Club and is co-founder of Salinas Rotary's Valley of the World Wine & Food Festival. He also is a past chairman of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.

Mr. Mills and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 27 years and live in Salinas. They have two sons, Chris and Casey.