<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">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">02.12.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Eric Viramontes, Chief Executive Officer of AMHPAC, the Associación Mexicana de Horticultura Protegida A.C., is passing the baton. Mr. Viramontes was there at the organization's inception in 2007; soon taking the reins as CEO in 2008.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/eric-viramontes-ampach-banner.jpg" alt="Eric Viramontes Images" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Mr. Viramontes tells AndNowUKnow he will be succeeded by Arturo Diaz; a man he knows very well and is happy will replace him in his position. Mr. Diaz has experience in the industry in both the private and official sectors.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Mr. Viramontes, noted that he had made the decision at the end of Spring 2012 to pursue new projects, including that of his own company, Visiones y Servicios, VISE. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Along with the Board, Mr. Viramontes decided to finish off 2012 with the Association. As the United States and Mexico tomato trade agreement has begun to come to a potential close, now seemed like a good time to make his exit, he reflects. But, the industry veteran commented, he will be remaining on the Board of Directors, and "like a good parent he has learned that sometimes you have to let your children grow from a distance."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Mr. Viramontes offered us this analogy when referring to the recent announcement that he would be leaving his post, "When you participate in sports and are assigned an event and a heat as in running or swimming, you know what position you hold, what length you must go and you know when you are at the end of your race. Being with an organization can be approached in the same fashion, I understood that you have to start strong, keep the pace and finish strong. And you know when it's time for new blood to come in. It's one of the best jobs I have ever had."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The company, which specializes in marketing and special projects, supports Mexico state government programs to organize growers and help them develop good commercial and administrative practices. VISE is also working on special projects with commercial campaigns and looking into working with the federal government on marketing and promotions with its agricultural branch. As always, Mr. Viramontes notes, they are open to new projects and ideas.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Mr. Viramontes, notes, "This can be a tough industry to work in. We have to deal with weather, politics, regulations...but at the end of the day we are offering families a route to a healthier lifestyle with fresh produce consumption guiding the way."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Thank you, Eric, for allowing us a few words from an industry innovator. Good luck on all of your future endeavors.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.amhpac.org/portal" target="_new"> AMHPAC</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/amhpac-flower.jpg" alt="Eric Viramontes Images" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
