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Courtesy Pandol Bros. Inc. |
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Front row: Jack Pandol Sr. and wife, Winnie. Back row from left: nephew John Pandol, son Jack Pandol Jr., Consul General Jose Manuel Lira and grandson Andrew Pandol. |
Jack Pandol Sr., chairman emeritus of Pandol Bros. Inc., Delano, Calif., has received the Bernardo O’Higgins Presidential Order of Merit from the Chilean government.
Due to health reasons, Pandol was unable to receive the award at a reception during the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in early October in Anaheim, Calif.
Because protocol requires that the honor be presented to the recipient in person, Jose Manuel Lira, the Chilean consul general in Los Angeles, traveled to Delano Nov. 4 to personally present the honor on behalf of Michelle Bachelet, president of Chile.
“While the Chilean agriculture sector has always acknowledged the contributions of the Pandols, it is very gratifying to see broader Chilean society and Madam President Bachelet recognize the years of work the Pandols have put into helping Chile prosper,” John Pandol, director of special projects, said in a news release.
There are five rankings of Chile’s Order of Merit. Pandol received the highest rank, a gesture most often extended to heads of state, high ranking diplomats and other distinguished persons, the release said.
Pandol’s wife, Winnie, was among those on hand for the private ceremony as were nephew John Pandol, his son Jack Pandol Jr. and grandson Andrew Pandol.