The International Fresh Produce Association announced the slate of new officers and directors for the 2025 IFPA board of directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin its board service at the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta. 

The IFPA board of directors is guided by the executive committee, which will be led in 2025 by current Chair-Elect Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter. Current Board Chair John Anderson, chair, CEO and managing partner of Oppy, will assume the role of past board chair. During the Global Produce & Floral Show, DeBoer and Anderson will share their reflections on IFPA accomplishments in 2024 and what’s to come in 2025.  

“With IFPA debuting a new strategic plan in October at the Global Show, I am excited to collaborate with this board to bring additional member value focused on the plan’s priorities to life,” said DeBoer. “With the incredibly diverse incoming slate of directors representing domestic and international links across the supply chain selected by the leadership development committee led by Past Chair Laura Himes, IFPA is well-positioned to strengthen our leadership position on the global stage and grow our membership worldwide.”  

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Joining the executive committee are 2025 Chair-Elect Patrick Vizzone, executive director at DiMuto, co-founder/CFO of Vertical Ocean and honorary professor at Alliance Manchester Business School; Secretary-Treasurer Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh Solutions Inc.; and two at-large executive committee members from the current board roster: current fresh-cut processor council chair Judy Clark, CEO of Fresh Texas, and Adriëlle Dankier, CEO of Nature’s Pride.  

Also joining the executive committee is IFPA Foundation for Fresh Produce Chair Dwight Ferguson, president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, who succeeds current foundation Chair Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer of DNO Produce.  

The new board slate for 2025 is:  

•     Retail Council Chair: Yan Branco, lead, produce sourcing innovation and CEA development, Sobey’s  
•     Chile Council Chair: Hans Leibbrandt, managing director, Monfrut  

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At-large representatives:  

•     Mohammed Abbas, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Del Monte Fresh Produce  
•     Steve Barnard, CEO, Mission Produce  
•     Dave Chen, CEO and chairman/board member, Equilibrium Capital/Perfection Fresh  
•     Sonya Constable, vice president, produce, Sprouts Farmers Market  
•     Jan Doldersum, manager, chain and retail, Rijk Zwaan  
•     Jim Hancock, vice president, produce, Sam’s Club  
•     West Mathison, CEO, Stemilt Growers  
•     Chang Hwa Oh, CEO, Jinwon Trading  
•     Shubha Rawal, director and head of sourcing, IG International  
•     Jose Rossignoli, president, Robinson Fresh  
•     Shaily Sangvhi, chief financial officer, Americas, Driscoll’s  
•     Maria Wieloch, head of category management, ICA Gruppen  

Board directors completing their service in Anaheim are:  

•     Erik Brown, executive leader-procurement, produce, Whole Foods  
•     Inci Dannenberg, president of global vegetable seeds, Bayer CropScience  
•     Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer of DNO Produce  
•     Candice Herndon  
•     Martha Hilton, vice president of produce and floral merchandising, Wegman’s  
•     Laura Himes, vice president of sourcing – fresh, Walmart  
•     Nelson Montoya, president, fresh fruit, Dole Food Co. 
•     Mark Powers, president, Northwest Horticultural Council  
•     Abby Prior, chief commercial officer, BrightFarms  
•     Brie Smith, vice president of product leadership, Driscoll’s  
•     Cristian Ureta, CEO, Exser  

The 2024-25 IFPA board will consist of 27 men and 16 women — 19 are U.S.-based and 24 are based outside the U.S. All six continents are represented with a strong diversity of sectors and business focus.

Fuente: theproducenews.com