Fresh Produce & Floral Council To Announce 2012 Board Of Directors At Annual Dinner Dance

LA MIRADA, CA – The Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) will introduce the 2012 Board of Directors to its membership at the Annual Dinner Dance, Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Westin Long Beach in Long Beach, CA.

The FPFC expects more than 500 industry professionals to attend “Hooray For Hollywood,” which will feature celebrity impersonators, paparazzi photographers and Hollywood Boulevard caricature artists, in addition to the return of the popular cigar lounge and the dance band Splash. The FPFC is encouraging attendees to come dressed as their favorite movie characters or celebrities and is offering a $500 prize for the evening’s best costume.

The evening’s program will also include the formal introduction of the Council’s 2012 Board and officers, who officially began their terms on January 1. 2011 Chair Jeff Miller of Westlake Produce Company will pass the gavel to 2012 Chairman Rick Cruz of Vons/A Safeway Company. Miller will remain a member of the Board’s Executive Committee as the Immediate Past Chairman, with Patty Knoll of Temkin International serving as Past Chair Representative, and Harland Heath of Heath & Lejeune continuing to serve as Honorary Past Chair Representative.

Dinner Dance attendees will also be introduced to 2012 Chairman Elect Mike Casazza of Apio/Eat Smart and Secretary/Treasurer Rich Van Valkenburg of Deminski, Van Valeknburg & Associates. Carissa Mace will continue to serve as Chief Staff Officer and President of the Council in 2012.

In addition to the Executive Committee, the industry will be introduced to the following elected directors: Mark Carroll, Gelson’s/Mayfair Markets; Brian Cook, San Miguel Produce; Greg Corrigan, Raley’s Supermarkets; Dan De La Rosa, Ralphs Grocery Company; Dave Howald, California Avocado Commission; Debbie Jackson, Supervalu/Albertsons; Kent Kuwata, Smart & Final Corp.; Brad Martin, Perimeter Sales & Merchandising; Rick Montoya, Ready Pac; Jeff Oberman, United Fresh Produce Association; Mike O’Leary, Boskovich Farms, Inc.; Marvin Quebec, Quebec Distributing Co., Chris Robinson, The Pinery, LLC; Roger Schroeder, Stater Bros. Markets; and Ken Silveira, Mastronardi Produce.

The FPFC will also recognize retiring directors Ken Ewalt of Ready Pac and Wes Liefer of Pura Vida Farms.

For more information about the 2012 Dinner Dance, visit FPFC.org or call 714-739-0177.

Fresh Produce & Floral Council Mission Statement

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council is a dynamic community of professionals across all sectors of the fresh produce and floral industry who do business in California and the western region.

The Council is dedicated to providing members with convenient opportunities to build productive relationships, access timely market information, enhance their business skills, and pool their efforts to promote and advance the industry.

Source: Fresh Produce & Floral Council