Nogales, AZ — The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) held its annual membership meeting on May 7, 2013 in Nogales, Arizona. This year’s meeting had several significant highlights:
- Jaime Chamberlain of J-C Distributing, Inc received the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Member of the Year award
- A slate of 7 distributor board directors and 2 associate board directors was elected by the membership
- Members discussed several issues and opportunities for the coming year, including steps to increase port staffing, the continued expansion of the Mariposa Port, FDA proposed regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act, member trips to meet with officials in Mexico City and Washington, DC and more.
Alejandro Canelos of Apache Produce Imports in Nogales, Arizona has one year remaining as the chairman of the FPAA board. Mr. Canelos leads delegation trips to meet with political leaders and government officials both in the U.S. and Mexico and has been a key part of strengthening relationships with state and federal officials that impact the FPAA’s members.
Matt Mandel of SunFed continues as chairman-elect and will step into the role of chairman of the FPAA board in 2014. Mr. Mandel had served on the board for several years prior to becoming chairman-elect in 2012, and he continues to serve as a spokesman for the industry at meetings both in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. In addition, Mr. Mandel was recently appointed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer as a member of Arizona’s Rural Business Development Advisory Council.
Alejandro Canelos said, “The annual meeting is an important event for our association each year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for attending. I am honored to be the chairman of the association, and I strongly believe in the work that we are doing. I have learned so much, and more importantly, I have had the opportunity to get to know all of you better as chairman.” Mr. Canelos also thanked the FPAA members for their continued involvement in the FPAA and thanked FPAA president, Lance Jungmeyer, and the staff for the work they do on behalf of the members.
Lance Jungmeyer presented Jaime Chamberlain with the 2013 Member of the Year Award. In his remarks, Jungmeyer said, “During the tomato conflict, Jaime Chamberlain stepped up to the plate numerous times for media requests. He was featured on NPR, Arizona television stations and major national newspapers. He helped bring home the impact on US business during this very important debate on trade.”
When accepting his award, Chamberlain said, “All of the things I do, talking to the press, attending meetings with elected officials, advocating for increased trade between the U.S. and Mexico, I do on behalf of our industry. It is so great to see so many of you in this room, my competitors and my closest friends. We must continue to work together to bring real, tangible benefits to our companies and our employees.”
The meeting concluded with the election of seven distributor directors and two associate directors to the FPAA board and the election of a new FPAA Tomato Division chairman. The following members were re-elected to a two-year term on the board: Gonzalo Avila of Malena Produce; Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies; Brent Harrison of Al Harrison Company Distributors; and Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates, Inc.
Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers, Atanasio Panousopoulos of Delta Fresh, LLC, and JJ Badillo of Calavo Growers, Inc. were all elected as new distributor board members for a two-year term.
Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company LLLP was re-elected to a one year term as an associate member director, and Rosie Cornelius of Bay Area Produce was newly elected for a one-year term as an associate member director.
The following FPAA members were presented with awards of appreciation upon completion of their two-year terms on the FPAA board: Greg Cardamone of L&M Companies; Miguel Suarez of MAS Melons and Grapes; Jerry Havel of Fresh Farms; and Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce.
In addition the FPAA members elected a new chairman of the Tomato Division. In addition to his new board seat, JJ Badillo of Calavo Growers, Inc. will step in as chairman of the Tomato Division, replacing Alejandro Canelos who had held the seat for the past several seasons.
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.
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. Produce from Mexico accounts for approximately 37 percent of fruit and vegetable consumption in the U.S. during the winter months. The Mariposa Port of Entry located in Nogales, Arizona, is the largest port of entry for fresh produce imported into the U.S. from Mexico.
Source: Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
