The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors. The board was elected at the Annual General Meeting, held during CPMA's 92nd Annual Convention and Trade Show, May 9th to 11th, in Toronto.
The Executive Committee members of the board are:
- Chair, Rick Alcocer,Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.
- Past Chair,,Sam Silvestro, Sam Silvestro Consulting Company
- 1st Vice Chair, Les Mallard, Chiquita Brands North America
- 2nd Vice Chair, Oleen Smethurst, Costco Wholesale Canada
- Executive Committee Member, Davis Yung, Fresh Direct Produce Ltd.
"I'm privileged to lead CPMA over the next year," new Chair Rick Alcocer said. "During my term, I plan to focus on CPMA's three pillars: CONNECT, ADVOCATE and GROW. Within those pillars, I will work with the industry on three key areas of importance: food safety; open and free trade; and member growth and development."
"It was an honour to have been Chair of CPMA," said Past Chair Sam Silvestro. "Over the last year we were able to make progress in areas such as food safety, with a dedicated resource, industry education, through our training programs, and consumer health, through the Half Your Plate program."
"CPMA's strength lies in the involvement of the produce industry in our association. Our Board of Directors is integral to that success. Through alternating directors, we benefit from the changing perspectives of many different industry professionals on our board," said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. "As we enter our 93rd year, we look forward to working to achieve our goals and continuing to be the voice of the produce industry in Canada."
In addition to the Executive Committee members, here are the members of CPMA's 2017/2018 Board of Directors:
Murray Driediger - BC Fresh Vegetables Inc.
George Pitsikoulis - Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc.
Byron Bellows - Colemans Food Centres
Guy Milette - Courchesne Larose Ltee.
Steve Bamford - Fresh Advancements
John Corsaro - The Giumarra Companies
David Dube - Krown Produce
Frank Gambioli - Loblaw Companies
Mimmo Franzone - Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc
Mario Masellis - Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc
Tim York -Markon Cooperative Inc.
Joe Sbrocchi - Mastronardi Produce Ltd.
Steve Boulianne - Metro Richelieu Inc.
Andrea Palmer - Nova Agri Inc.
Steve Young - The Oppenheimer Group
Kendra Mills - PEI Potato Board
Brian Hampton - The Produce People Ltd.
Michele McMillan - Sobeys National Procurement
Keith Kuhl- Southern Potato Co. Inc.
Colin Chapdelaine - The Star Group
Brian Slagel - Sunkist Growers, Inc.
Stephan Schmekel - Vegpro International Inc.
Mike Ecker - Vineland Growers' Co-operative Ltd.
Robert Pereira - Walmart Canada Corp.
Aaron Bregg - Westcoast Produce Wholesalers
For more information contact:
Rob Gerlsbeck
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: (613) 878-3312