<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%">Nogales, AZ</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By Jordan Okumura<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">05.08.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/fpaa_member_of_the_year_may_2013_BODY00.jpg" alt="images 050913" />The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas welcomed new board members and highlighted a member award at its annual membership meeting on May 7, 2013 in Nogales, Arizona. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Jaime Chamberlain of J-C Distributing, Inc received the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Member of the Year award, according to a press release. Seven distributor board directors and two associate board directors were also elected by the membership.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Topics covered during the event included steps to increase port staffing, further expansion of the Mariposa Port, FDA proposed regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act, trips to meet with officials in Mexico City and Washington, DC.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Alejandro Canelos of Apache Produce Imports in Nogales, Arizona, said, “The annual meeting is an important event for our association each year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for attending. I am honored to be the chairman of the association, and I strongly believe in the work that we are doing. I have learned so much, and more importantly, I have had the opportunity to get to know all of you better as chairman.” </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Lance Jungmeyer honored Jaime Chamberlain with the 2013 Member of the Year Award during the conference. Jungmeyer, stated, “During the tomato conflict, Jaime Chamberlain stepped up to the plate numerous times for media requests. He was featured on NPR, Arizona television stations and major national newspapers. He helped bring home the impact on US business during this very important debate on trade.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The election of seven distributor directors and two associate directors to the FPAA board was also accompanied by the election of a new FPAA Tomato Division chairman. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Elected as new distributor board members for a two-year term were Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers, Atanasio Panousopoulos of Delta Fresh, LLC, and JJ Badillo of Calavo Growers, Inc.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Re-elected to a one year term was Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company LLLP as an associate member director. Rosie Cornelius of Bay Area Produce was newly elected for a one-year term as an associate member director, the association reports. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>FPAA members presented with awards of appreciation upon completion of their two-year terms were Greg Cardamone of L&M Companies; Miguel Suarez of MAS Melons and Grapes; Jerry Havel of Fresh Farms; and Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In addition the FPAA members elected a new chairman of the Tomato Division. In addition to his new board seat, JJ Badillo of Calavo Growers, Inc. will step in as chairman of the Tomato Division. He replaces Alejandro Canelos. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Members re-elected to a two-year term on the board were Gonzalo Avila of Malena Produce; Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies; Brent Harrison of Al Harrison Company Distributors; and Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates, Inc.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Congrats to all on your new and re-elected roles</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
