FPAA's Annual Meeting: Gavel Passed To Incoming Chairman, Election Of Chairman-Elect, New Board

Nogales, AZ — Members of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) held their annual meeting on May 12, 2016 in Nogales, Arizona.  The annual meeting is an opportunity for members to discuss key actions from the previous year with detailed updates from the FPAA’s president, chairman, and staff.  In addition, the annual meeting is the opportunity to vote for board members to fill the terms that ended this May. 

FPAA president, Lance Jungmeyer, talked about a variety of activities and opportunities that the association has been working on in the past year, including important infrastructure improvements ranging from State Route 189 to the key arteries leading to key produce warehouses hubs.  He also talked about updates in Mexico City, Washington, DC, Phoenix, and more. 

Jungmeyer said, "We are seeing that FPAA's message about boosting efficient trade with Mexico is resonating, both in Arizona and in Washington, D.C. This is manifested in the interest of the Arizona legislature and Governor Ducey in supporting SR 189 as an infrastructure enhancement to boost trade. And it is seen as Senators McCain and Flake continue to push for accelerated hiring of Customs officers in Arizona."

Matt Mandel of SunFed concluded his two-year term as FPAA chairman and will serve as past-chairman for two years. Stepping into the chairman position is Gonzalo Avila of Malena Produce.  Elected as the FPAA’s chairman-elect was Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates.  Scott will serve as chairman-elect for two years and then step into the role of chairman. 

Matt Mandel said of his time as chairman, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as chairman of the FPAA. I am confident that Gonzalo will ensure that the association will continue to flourish under his leadership. I also want to thank my fantastic crew at SunFed who have supported me in my endeavors during my time as chairman.” 

Addressing a room full of FPAA members, Gonzalo Avila said, “I would like to thank you all for confiding in me to be your next Chairman.  I’m conscious of the duties and tasks that we have upon us in the next couple of years and I promise to work hard to represent you well.”  He concluded his remarks by welcoming Scott Vandervoet as chairman-elect and thanking Matt for his years of service to the FPAA. 

During the meeting, FPAA members elected eight distributor directors and two associate directors to the FPAA board. 

The distributor members elected to a two-year term are: Bobby Astengo of Healthy Trends Produce Company; Alejandro Canelos of Apache Produce Imports, LLC; Jaime Chamberlain of JC Distributing; Ricardo Crisantes of Wholesum Family Farms; Martin Ley of Shipley Sales; Bert Monteverde, Jr. of H.M. Distributors; Rod Sbragia of Tricar Sales, Inc.; and Leonardo Tarriba of Farmer’s Best International.   

Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company LLLP was re-elected for a one-year term as associate member director. Terry Shannon, Jr. of Shannon Brokerage was newly elected for a one-year term as associate member director.

The FPAA honored outgoing board members Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce and Jose Luis Obregon of IPR Fresh for their valuable service and commitment to the industry.   Both Thomas and Obregon give generously of their valuable time and have made very important contributions to the FPAA over many, many years of service. 

JJ Badillo of Delta Fresh Sales, LLC; Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers; Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies; James Martin of Wilson Produce; Eric Meyer of Prime Time International; Gerardo Ritz of Ritz Produce; and Mikee Suarez of MAS Melons & Grapes have one year remaining in their two-year term of office.   

The FPAA members also re-elected JJ Badillo of Delta Fresh Sales, LLC as chairman of the FPAA Tomato Division.  Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers continues as chairman of the FPAA Mango Division.  John Pandol of Pandol Brothers also continues as the chairman of the FPAA Grape Division.   

The FPAA and its members rely on the commitment and expertise of their board of directors, division directors, and the engagement of the FPAA membership in advancing the goals of improving business for its member companies.  Their service builds the foundation of success for all FPAA initiatives.  

About the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas:           

The FPAA is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Nogales, Arizona, that represents over 120 U.S. member companies involved in growing, packing, sales and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico.  The FPAA leverages the efforts of private companies and partner-associations to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetable from Mexico. 

Source: Fresh Produce Association of the Americas