PMA and United Fresh leaders provided a series of updates for the new association named International Fresh Produce Association. Co-CEOs Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel were joined by executive committee members to share details.
“I’m excited to lead and collaborate with this board,” said Bruce Taylor, chair of the new organization and CEO of Taylor Farms. “This group, in partnership with staff, will help set the strategic tone as we deliver against the seven strategic priorities.”
The board will work in partnership with staff to provide expertise for industry members across the produce and floral supply chains.
“In assembling this board, we sought to strike a balance of individuals with strong prior experience from serving on United and PMA volunteer groups as well as emerging leaders,” said Danny Dumas, UFPA chair and president, Courchesne Larose USA Inc.
PMA and United Fresh shared the commitments that will be the core priorities of the new association launching in January 2022. These include a commitment to all sectors of the fresh produce and floral supply chains; a commitment to growing demand and profitability; and a commitment to global engagement.
“Because the new organization will reflect global fresh produce and floral communities, the board is organized to represent the many businesses we’ll serve in coming years,” said Dwight Ferguson, PMA chair and president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.
The board of directors are:
Representing market segments
- Grower-shipper: Jeff Huckaby, Grimmway Enterprises, Inc.
- Foodservice: Melissa Ackerman, Produce Alliance
- Fresh-cut processor: Raina Nelson, Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA LLC
- Wholesaler-distributor: Tom Brugato, Pacific Coast Fruit Company
- Retail: pending
Representing industry expertise
- Finance & business management: Michael Castagnetto, Robinson Fresh
- Food safety: Cheryl Enlow, Renaissance Food Group
- Supply chain logistics: Drew Zabrocki, Semios
- Marketing & merchandising: Abby Prior, Bright Farms
- Sustainability: Nikki Cossio, Measure to Improve LLC.
- Technology: James Rogers, Apeel Sciences
U.S. government relations director:
- Brian Kocher, Castellini Companies
Representing global markets:
- Australia-New Zealand: Katie De Villers, One Harvest
- Brazil: Gilson Lucato, Citricola Lucato
- Chile: Cristian Ureta, Exser
- Mexico: Ernesto Cardona, Australtrading
- South Africa: Trevor Dukes, The Fruit Farm Group
- China: Liu Mau Wah, Joy Wing Mau Group
Representing floral:
- Carlos Oramas, Gems Group, Inc.
- Debora Steier, Albertsons Companies
At-large directors:
- Amelie Aust, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery
- Erik Brown, Whole Food
- Adriëlle Dankier, Nature’s Pride
- Inci Dannenberg, Bayer
- Karen Fernald, Food Lion
- Jose Antonio Gomez, Camposol
- Candice Herndon, IFCO Systems N.A.
- Jamey Higham, Idaho Potato Commission
- Jacob Krempel, HelloFresh
- Zak Lafitte, Wonderful Citrus
- Dan Mathieson, Zespri International, LTD.
- Amy McClellan, SpartanNash
- Nelson Montoya, Dole Food Company
- Julie Olivarria, Sysco Corporation
- Mark Powers, Northwest Horticultural Council
- Michael Simonetta, Perfection Fresh
- Brie Reiter Smith, Driscoll’s
- Debbie Raton Walker, Darden
- Dorn Wenniger, UNFI
The executive committee includes:
- Chair: Bruce Taylor, Taylor Farms
- Chair-elect Laura Himes, Walmart
- Secretary treasurer Patrick Vizzone, ANZ Banking
- Past chair(s): Danny Dumas, Courchesne Larose USA Inc. and Dwight Ferguson, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation
- Foundation chair: Martha Hilton, Wegman’s
For more information:
Siobhan May
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 (302) 781-5855
SMay@pma.com
www.pma.com