November/December 2021 - 20

INDUSTRY NEWS
IFPA LAUNCHING
International Fresh Produce
Association set to launch
PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION
(PMA) and United Fresh Produce
Association leaders provided a series of
updates Oct. 28 for the new association
that's called the International Fresh
Produce Association (IFPA). It will
launch in January 2022.
Co-CEOs of the new association,
Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel, were
joined by executive committee members
to share details, including the board of
directors. Selecting and recruiting the
board of directors was one of the first
responsibilities of the newly announced
executive committee.
The executive committee for the new
organization, as previously announced,
includes:
* Chair: Bruce Taylor, CEO, Taylor Farms
* Chair-Elect: Laura Himes, DMM
Produce, Walmart
* Secretary Treasurer: Patrick
Vizzone, Head of Food, Beverage &
Agribusiness, ANZ Banking
* Past Chair(s): Danny Dumas,
President, of Courchesne Larose
USA, and Dwight Ferguson, President
and CEO, California Agricultural
Leadership Foundation
* Foundation Chair: Martha Hilton, VP
Produce and Floral Merchandising,
Wegman's
" I'm excited to have the opportunity to
lead and collaborate with this board of
directors, " Bruce Taylor said through a
press release. " This group, in partnership
with staff, will help set the strategic tone
and direction as we deliver against the
seven strategic priorities shared when
the new organization was announced
in March. I can't wait to get started. "
Building on a combined history of
strong volunteer leadership, the board
of directors will work in partnership
with an experienced staff at the new
association to provide guidance and
expertise for industry members across
the produce and floral supply chains.
20 NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2 0 21
" In assembl ing this board of
directors, we sought to strike a balance
of those individuals who had strong
prior experience from serving on United
and PMA volunteer groups as well as
emerging leaders who will bring new
perspectives and insights to drive
the new organization forward and
create solutions to address industry
challenges, " Dumas said.
When the new association was
announced, PMA and United Fresh
shared the strategic commitments
that will make up its core priorities.
Developed by board leaders from both
associations, these priorities 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 new board
is organized to represent the many
businesses we'll serve in coming
years as we work together to help our
members prosper, " Ferguson said.
The new association board of
directors are:
Directors representing market
segments
Grower/shipper-Jeff Huckaby, CEO,
Grimmway Enterprises; FoodserviceMelissa
Ackerman, President and
Operations Director, Produce Alliance;
Fresh cut processor-Raina Nelson,
President US, Westfalia Fruit Marketing
USA; Wholesaler/distributor-Tom
Brugato, President, Pacific Coast Fruit
Company; Retail-TBA.
Representing industry expertise
Finance and Business ManagementMichael
Castagnetto, President, Robinson
Fresh; Food safety-Cheryl Enlow, VP
of QA and Food Safety, Renaissance
Food Group; Supply chain logisticsDrew
Zabrocki, General Manager, Value
Chain Insights and Interoperability,
Semios; Marketing and merchandisingAbby
Prior, SVP Sales and Marketing,
Bright Farms; Sustainability: Nikki
Cossio, Founder and CEO, Measure to
Improve; Technology-James Rogers,
CEO, Apeel Sciences.
Representing global markets
Australia/New Zealand-Katie De
Villers, Head of Sales, One Harvest;
Brazil-Gilson Lucato, Commercial
Director, Citricola Lucato; Chile-Cristian
Ureta, CEO, Exser; Mexico-Ernesto
Cardona, President and Operations
Director, Australtrading; South AfricaTrevor
Dukes, CEO, The Fruit Farm
Group; China-Liu Mau Wah, Chairman
of the Group, Joy Wing Mau Group.
Brian Kocher, President and CEO
of Castellini Companies, will serve as
the IFPA's U.S. government relations
director. Directors representing the
floral industry are Gems Group CEO
Carlos Oramas and Albertsons Vice
President of Flordal Debora Steier.
In addition, the new association's
board also includes at-large directors
from Bayer, Camposol, Darden, Dole,
Driscoll's, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery,
Food Lion, HelloFresh, the Idaho
Potato Commission, IFCO Systems
N.A., Nature's Pride, the Northwest
Horticultural Council, Perfection Fresh,
SpartanNash, Sysco, UNFI, Whole
Foods and Wonderful Citrus.
- Produce Processing report
November/December 2021

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