<p>The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has elected new board members and has honored one of its esteemed members during its annual membership meeting on May 6, 2014 in Nogales, Arizona.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>Walter Ram</b>, Vice President for Food Safety of The Giumarra Companies, has received the <B>FPAA Member of the Year</b> award.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img width="500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/fpaa.jpg" alt="FPAA" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA President, said, “Walter Ram has been an invaluable asset to our members and this association, leading our group in the ongoing development of FSMA comments, working on several high-level issues in Washington, D.C., strengthening out ties with national produce associations, and generously giving of his time and experience to better our industry.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Ram said, “To be recognized by my peers is a great honor. I would like to thank all of you for your commitment and dedication to the FPAA. The level of engagement of our members and the work we accomplish is important for our success.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> <B>Matt Mandel</b> of SunFed was elected as <B>chairman of the FPAA</b> after serving two years as chairman-elect. <B>Gonzalo Avila</b> of Malena Produce was subsequently elected <B>chairman-elect</b>.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “This is a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to building on the work we accomplish at the FPAA,” said Mandel. “I have learned a great deal from Alejandro and from our board, and I will be looking to all of you for input, involvement, and guidance moving forward.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img width="500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/fpaa2.jpg" alt="FPAA" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>Alejandro Canelos</b> of Apache Produce Imports in Nogales, Arizona, delivered his last remarks as chairman of the FPAA during the meeting. During his remarks, he highlighted the work of the FPAA, including delegation trips to meet with political leaders and government officials both in the U.S. and Mexico, the strides made in improving trade, and the continued steps to strengthen relationships with state and federal officials that impact the FPAA’s members, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “It was truly an honor to serve as your chairman,” said Canelos. “I strongly believe in the work that we are doing at the FPAA together as an industry.” He also thanked the FPAA members for their continued involvement, Jungmeyer, and the staff for the work they do on behalf of the members.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>Eight distributor board directors</b> and<B> two associate board directors</b> were elected by the membership. Bobby Astengo of Healthy Trends Produce Company; Ricardo Crisantes of Wholesum Family Farms; Bert Monteverde, Jr. of H.M. Distributors; Jose Luis Obregon of IPR Fresh; Rod Sbragia of Tricar Sales, Inc.; and Leonardo Tarriba of Farmer’s Best International were reelected to two-year terms on the board. Guillermo Martinez of Del Campo Supreme and Jaime Chamberlain of J-C Distributing, Inc. were newly elected to the board for two-year terms.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><B>Sabrina Hallman</b> of Sierra Seed Company LLLP and <B>Rosie Cornelius</b> of Bay Area Produce were re-elected for a one-year term as associate member directors, the association reports.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">FPAA members presented with awards of appreciation upon completion of their two-year terms were <B>Martin Ley</b> of Del Campo Supreme and <B>Bobby Bennen, Jr.</b> of Ta-De Distributing.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Members re-elected included <B>JJ Badillo</b> of Delta Fresh Sales, LLC as chairman of the FPAA Tomato Division and <B>Chris Ciruli</b> of Ciruli Brothers as chairman of the FPAA Mango Division. <B>John Pandol</b> of Pandol Brothers also continues as the chairman of the FPAA Grape Division.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Congratulations to all on your new and re-elected roles!</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.freshfrommexico.com" target="_new"> Fresh Produce Association of the Americas </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
