During the annual meeting of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), the association’s president, Lance Jungmeyer, presented the FPAA Member of the Year Award. The Member of the Year is nominated by FPAA members and is someone who goes above and beyond in working for the betterment of the industry and its membership.
This year’s recipient is Sabrina Hallman, president and CEO of Sierra Seed Company, an agricultural seed distributing company and greenhouse operation providing services to commercial growers in North America.
“Sabrina has been a huge asset in telling the stories of our industry, whether it’s meeting with government officials or speaking with the media,” said Jungmeyer. “Her voice is helping make a difference.”
Hallman has been a familiar presence in meetings in Washington, DC, Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales and beyond. She works closely with politicians and government agencies to tell the story about how industry issues affect local businesses, job creation, and socio-economic progress. In particular, Sabrina has been very vocal in bringing attention to banking regulations, access to banking services, and the Federal government’s impacts on businesses in relation to banking. Her efforts in bringing attention to these issues have helped increase traction on Capitol Hill.
Sabrina has been on the FPAA board of directors since 2011, and she was also appointed by the board to be the current chair of the FPAA’s building committee. In announcing the winner, Lance quoted one observer as stating, “She is always looking for ways to bring people together and be inclusive. She jumps right in. She views FPAA as an organization where you get more out of it than what you put in.”
“She has worked hard and selflessly on behalf of the association. She was clearly surprised, and it was a wonderful moment,” said Alejandro Canelos of Apache Produce Imports and the FPAA’s outgoing past-chairman when speaking about the event.
Each year’s honoree is presented with a custom metal sculpture made by Tucson artist Matt Harper. Prior honorees of the FPAA Member of the Year Award include:
2014-15 - Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates
2013-14 - Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies
2012-13 - Jaime Chamberlain of JC Distributing
2011-12 - Terry Shannon of Shannon Brokerage
2010-11- Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce
Contact:
Lance Jungmeyer or Paula Beemer
Tel: (+1) 520-287-2707