Richard Matoian serves as Executive Director of the American Pistachio Growers (APG), a trade association representing over 825pistachio member growers from the states of California, Arizona,New Mexico and Nevada. APG conducts pistachio nutrition research and domestic and international marketing and PR activities.These activities account for over 80percent of the APG’s annual budget, which totaled $11.8million in 2018. APGis also an advocate for growers at the state and federal levels and works on a wide variety of issues that affect the growers’ bottom line. Matoian has served as APG’sExecutive Director since May 2008.
Matoian also farms table grapes in a partnership with his brother. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from California State University,Fresno in 1984.