FPAA's Annual Meeting: Association Laying Groundwork For Industry Advancements, Says Chairman Avila

Nogales, AZ — Members of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) held their annual meeting on May 2, 2017 in Nogales, Arizona.  The annual meeting is a forum for the entire membership 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 the opportunities that are born out of change, and he highlighted some key opportunities for members, including expanded investment in area infrastructure, increasing staffing for Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry, and more.  He also talked about the Unified Cargo Processing program that was started in Nogales, where CBP and Mexican Customer perform inspections side-by-side on trucks crossing the border.  This has led to significant time savings for commercial trucks, and represents an important change in operations that has dramatic benefits. 

Jungmeyer said, "At the FPAA, we want to position our members to benefit from change and to leverage opportunities to becomes stronger companies.  That has always been and will continue to be our focus.” 

Gonzalo Avila, the FPAA chairman and vice president of Malena Produce, spoke to members about the FPAA’s activities on their behalf.  “Only a year ago, I stood here as your new chairman.  It’s safe to say that a lot has happened in a year.  Through all the changes taking place, the FPAA continues to lay the groundwork to bring about positive improvements for our industry,” stated Avila.

He added, “Whether it is through infrastructure improvements, educational seminars, or outreach to elected officials, our focus is always to bring value to members and to help members strengthen their businesses. I’m honored to work alongside so many fantastic produce companies through our association.  All of us contribute our time, expertise, and resources to leverage huge benefits for our industry.”

During the meeting, FPAA members elected eight distributor directors and two associate directors to the FPAA board.  The following were elected to a two-year term as distributor directors.  Bobby Bennen of Ta-De Distributing Company; Brian Bernauer of Calavo Growers; Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers; Ernesto Maldonado of Star Produce; James Martin of Wilson Produce; Gerardo Ritz of Ritz Produce; Mikee Suarez of MAS Melons & Grapes; and Walter Ram of the Giumarra Companies.  The associate board members serving a one-year term are: Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company and Terry Shannon, Jr. of Shannon Brokerage. 

The FPAA honored outgoing board member Eric Meyer of Prime Time International for his continued commitment to the FPAA.  

“Eric was outstanding during his time on the board,” Avila said. “We look forward to having him serve on the board again in the future.” 

The following distributor members have one year remaining in their board term.  Bobby Astengo of Peppers Plus, LLC; 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.    

The FPAA members also elected to keep Jimmy Munguia of Del Campo Supreme as the chairman of the 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.  

During the meeting, the FPAA presented a special award to Robert Shuler of The Shuler Law Firm in Phoenix, Arizona.  Mr. Shuler has been the FPAA’s Phoenix representative for many years, working to bring together the FPAA and Arizona elected officials and state agencies.  

Lance said, “It is with a bittersweet feeling that we today are going to recognize Robert Shuler, who is retiring from full-time practice later this year.  A few words to describe him include hard-working, professional, courteous, thorough, optimistic but grounded, honest as the day is long.”  He added, “Everyone you meet in Phoenix knows Robert and has the highest regards for him.  Among his many accomplishments with the FPAA, Robert has helped move the needle on trade with Mexico throughout the whole state. He has elevated the profile of FPAA among state leaders.” 

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.   

Photo Caption: FPAA Chairman Gonzalo Avila, Robert Shuler, Chair-Elect Scott Vandervoet, FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer.

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 (FPAA)