Keith Veselka

Keith Veselka was appointed to position number 4 by the Washington Apple Commission and began his term July 1, 2021.

Keith was raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Central Washington University with a Law and
Justice degree. After college he joined the United States Air Force, where he was a Nuclear Operations
Launch Officer for over seven years. He is thankful he never had to launch.

Keith moved to Washington in 2001. He was introduced to apples and agriculture through his wife’s
family, who has been farming in the Yakima Valley since the late 1800s. He managed his father-in-law’s
farm for many years and manages farms for investment groups now. In addition, he farms over 1,200
acres of apple and cherry orchards in various regions around Washington State.

He is a former president of the Yakima Pomological Society (Pom Club). He has been involved with
them for over a decade. Keith has served as a board member for the Washington Apple Education
Foundation for two years. He’s been on the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Technology
Committee for about 8 years.

Keith credits Rob Lynch for his introduction to the Tech Committee. His interest in the Commission
comes from his years as an observer and as a Tech Committee contributor. During this time, he has in
engaged in many positive conversations with Ines Hanrahan, Dave Allen, Tom Butler, and Jim Doornink.
He loves how the Commission is advancing research technology. This research is a key aspect of the
industry and, with labor demands, it is needed now more than ever. Aspects of the Commission Keith
enjoys are networking and opportunities to be a sponge since he did not grow up in the industry. He
recalls Jim McFerson as always available to sit down over a beer, like at the Hort Show at 2:00am, and
talk about the industry. Keith admits he does not see a lot of young faces in the industry and hopes they
are not a dying breed.

Keith’s wife is a teacher in the West Valley School District. They have two daughters and one son. His
oldest daughter worked for Sage Fruit before college. His youngest daughter, now sixteen, wants to be a
nurse. Keith’s son, fourteen, has been able to grow up in the industry and is looking forward to working
on the farm this summer.