AgroFresh announced that Clint Lewis, CEO, has been named to the Board of Directors of the newly formed International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). IFPA, launched in January, is working to help all sectors of the fresh produce and floral supply chains find innovative solutions that address industry challenges. Lewis, a life sciences and agricultural industry senior leader with more than 30 years of experience, will work with the association staff and other board members to provide guidance and expertise for industry members to help create solutions that will make a difference in their business.
"I am honored to be nominated for the IFPA board," said Lewis. "Collaboration across the produce industry is critical as we look for new and innovative ways to help our customers produce an abundant supply of fresh and high-quality produce, especially in the face of today's unprecedented challenges including supply chain uncertainty and increasing sustainability needs. I look forward to helping drive IFPA's mission forward."
The IFPA Board of Directors is led by the officers of the Executive Committee and will be led in 2023 by current Chair-Elect Laura Himes, senior merchandising director at Walmart. Himes will inherit the role from current Chair Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms. Both Himes and Taylor will take the stage in Orlando at the Global Produce & Floral Show in October to share their remarks. The next Chair-Elect, slotted to assume leadership of the Executive Committee, will be John Anderson, chair, CEO and managing partner of Oppy.
The new slate of board directors are selected to serve in roles of those directors retiring from board service. Tasked with identifying these leaders is the Leadership Development Committee. This year, this committee was led by past Chairs Dwight Ferguson, president and CEO of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and Danny Dumas, senior vice president and general manager of Calavo Growers.
"It's been an honor serving this industry as a part of the Leadership Development Committee," said Dumas. "The role of the Board is to provide the insights and perspectives that will drive the association forward and create solutions that give our members more access to the people and ideas that can make a difference in their business. I'm confident this Board slate of leaders will do just that as it leads an already strong and engaged volunteer community."
With over 1000 volunteer leaders serving across multiple committees, councils, and other working groups, IFPA Board of Directors serve a key role in driving association work around the seven priorities. This year's slate of directors will assume leadership of the Food Safety Council, Australia New Zealand Advisory Board, the Marketing Council and more. Before IFPA officially launched in January of 2022, it was announced that the Board structure was designed to support all segments of industry membership across the global supply chain.
"In identifying the volunteers who would join the Board in the coming year, we aligned the association's strategic needs with thought leaders who will bring a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, to ensure the Board is reflective of the industry we represent," said Ferguson. "We know these leaders will work in partnership with those Directors continuing their Board service and with the staff to grow prosperity for our industry and the world through bold advocacy, powerful connections, and actionable guidance."
The new Board slate for 2023:
Australia New Zealand Advisory Board: Richard Byllaardt , Chairman, Citrus Australia - Mildura, Victoria, Australia
Food Safety Council: Jennifer Pulcipher, Director of Food Safety & Compliance, North Bay Produce -- Traverse City, Mich.
Fresh-Cut Processor Council: Judy Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Texas -- San Antonio, Texas
Marketing Council: Karen Nardozza, President & Chief Executive Officer, Moxxy Marketing -- Miami, Fla.
South Africa: Jaco Oosthuizen, Chief Executive Officer, RSA Group -- Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
U.S. Government Relations Council: Bret Erickson, Executive Vice President, Little Bear Produce -- Edinburg, Texas
Wholesaler-Distributor Council: Stefanie Katzman, Executive Vice President, S. Katzman Produce -- Bronx, N.Y.
At Large Representatives
Paulina Criticos, Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, Westfalia Fruit (Pty) Ltd -- Randjespark, Midrand, South Africa
Tammy DeBoer, President, Harris Teeter, Charlotte, N.C.
Clinton A. Lewis, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. -- Philadelphia, Pa.
Elyse Lipman, Chief Strategy Officer, Lipman Family Farms -- Livermore, Calif.
John Simko, President & CEO, Sunshine Bouquet Company -- Miami, Fla.
Retiring Board members include:
Tom Brugato, President, Pacific Coast Fruit Company - Wholesaler-Distributor Chair
Adrielle Dankier, Commercial Director, Nature's Pride
Trevor Dukes, CEO, The Fruit Farm Group - South Africa Chair
Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President, Calavo Growers - Immediate Past Co-Chair
Cheryl Enlow, VP of QA and Food Safety, Renaissance Food Group - Food Safety Chair
Dwight Ferguson, President/CEO, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation - Immediate Past Co-Chair
Karen Fernald, SVP Category, Merchandising and Pricing, Food Lion
Ben Hoodless, Director & Business Development Specialist, ElementAG IFPA Australia-New Zealand Chair
Brian Kocher, President and CEO, Calavo Growers - US Government Relations Chair
Jacob Krempel, VP of Operations, HelloFresh
Raina Nelson, President, US, Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA LLC - Fresh-Cut Chair
Carlos Oramas, CEO, Gems Group, Inc.
Michael Simonetta, CEO, Perfection Fresh
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