WASHINGTON, DC - Changes are in the works for the United Fresh Produce Association. The organization’s Immediate Past Chairman Tony Freytag announced a new slate of officers and directors for the United Fresh Produce Association Board of Directors this week. The new appointments will come into effect April 17, 2018, at the Associations meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Our organization thrives on the strength and diversity of the leadership on the United Fresh Board of Directors. This slate of new Board members, along with those returning to the Board, will provide a strong representation and leadership of our industry,” said President & CEO Tom Stenzel. “I’d like to extend a personal thanks to all of the Board members who are concluding their service at this upcoming meeting, including our Immediate Past Chairman Tony Freytag who provided exceptional leadership to our organization during his many years of service. With an industry as diverse and complex as ours, we are grateful to the dedicated members of our Board who have helped navigate the challenges in our industry and further advance our organization. We appreciate the time and service they have dedicated to United Fresh and the industry.”
At the organizations April 17th meeting, Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board.
Greg Corrigan has been nominated as United Fresh’s Chairman-Elect. In addition to over 30 years of retail experience, United Fresh noted in its press release, Greg has served on many boards and committees for the produce and floral industry including the United Fresh Board from 2012-2016, PMA Retail Board, the Fresh Produce and Floral Council Board, and the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board. As Chairman-Elect, Greg will assume the Chairmanship of United Fresh in 2019.
Del Monte Fresh Produce Vice President N.A. Sales & Product Management Danny Dumas will continue to serve in an ongoing term as Secretary-Treasurer. And current United Chairman of the Board, Susan Reimer-Sifford, of the Castellini Group of Companies in Newport, KY, will move to the position of Immediate Past Chairman and remain on the Board and the Executive Committee.
“I’d also like to personally thank Tony and Board Development Committee members Susan Reimer-Sifford, Cindy Jewell, Danny Dumas, John Jackson, Raina Nelson, Tom Brugato, and Jeff Cady for their work this year in nominating an impressive slate of officers and Board members,” Stenzel added. “Their job was to help develop a strong and representative leadership on the Board for the coming years to drive our association forward, and I commend them for developing this strong slate of industry leaders.”
The following industry leaders have also been nominated to serve as new members of the United Fresh Board for a two-year term beginning April 2018:
- Mason Arnold of Cece’s™ Veggie Noodle Co.
- Luca Ascari, Vice President, Sales, ABL SPA
- John Gates, President, Lancaster Foods, Inc.
- Richard Gonzales, Vice President Global Produce Sourcing, Walmart
- Eric Halverson, Chief Executive Officer, Black Gold Farms
- Jeff Huckaby, President, Grimmway Enterprises Inc.
- John Newell, Chief Operating Officer, Windset Farms
- Ramon Paz-Vega, Chairman, Avocados From Mexico
- Heather Shavey, Assistant Vice President General Merchandise Manager, Costco Wholesale
For a complete list of changes and officers who are continuing to serve in various capacities on the United Fresh Board, interested parties can read the organization’s press release in its entirety.
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