The Association
About Our Association
The Hatch Chile Association is a grower-led organization dedicated to protecting the authenticity and integrity of Hatch chile for farmers and consumers alike.
- Mission
- To protect and promote the growing, processing, and marketing of chile grown in the Hatch Valley.
- Vision
- Easy authentication for products made with Hatch Chile through the use of our certified HATCH logo.
- Values
- Honesty, Integrity, and Truth in Labeling.
Board of Directors
6 seatedOur board is made up of working Hatch Valley farmers and industry leaders who bring generations of experience to the mission of protecting authentic Hatch chile.
-
President
Duane Gillis
Multi-generational Hatch Valley farmer. The Gillis family built the valley's first chile dehydrator in 1964 and is known for uniquely flavored chile and high-quality onions.
-
Vice President
Randy Garay
Runs M.A & Sons with his mother Mary and brothers Frank and Patrick. The family farms chile, corn, alfalfa, oats, and pecans.
-
Director
Keith Franzoy
Lifelong Hatch Valley resident who returned to farm in 1990 after college. Passionate about preserving authentic Hatch flavor.
-
Director
Shayne Franzoy
Great-grandson of Joseph Franzoy, Hatch's first chile farmer. The Chile River operation farms chile, wheat, corn, cotton, pecans, and watermelons.
-
Director
Scott Adams
Six generations and 40 years farming the Hatch Valley. Devoted to protecting the Hatch name so consumers get authentic Hatch chile.
-
Director
Preston Mitchell
Grew up in Hatch and began selling his family's green chile in Santa Fe in 4th grade. Launched the online version of Berridge Farms; earned a BBA and a Master's in Accounting from New Mexico State University; merged a Las Cruces chile-roasting company and his grandparents' online business into The Hatch Chile Store.