IFPA Announces Produce and Floral Board of Directors Slate for 2027
August 18, 2026 | 3 min to read
WASHINGTON, August 14, 2026 – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced the slate of new officers and directors for the 2027 IFPA Board of Directors. These volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin their board service at the 2026 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, October 14-16, in Orlando, Florida.
The IFPA Board of Directors is guided by the Executive Committee, which will be led in 2027 by current Chair-Elect Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms. Current Board Chair Professor Patrick Vizzone, Founder and Managing Partner of AgroNovare will assume the role of Immediate Past Board Chair. During the Global Produce & Floral Show, Lipman and Vizzone will share their reflections on year two of IFPA’s strategic plan, highlighting key milestones reached on behalf of IFPA members across the worldwide produce and floral community.
Lipman and Vizzone are joined by fellow Executive Committee members 2027 Chair-Elect Mohammed Abbas, President and COO, Del Monte Corporation; Board Treasurer Mark Campion, President of Retail for Taylor Farms; Board Secretary and Sustainability Council Chair Adrielle Dankier, CEO of Nature’s Pride; and at-large Executive Committee member and U.S. Council Chair Steve Grinstead, Executive Chairman, FreshEdge.
“It is a true honor to step into the role of IFPA Board Chair at a time when our industry’s purpose has never been more clear or more important,” said 2026 Chair-Elect Elyse Lipman. “Every day, the fresh produce and floral community helps nourish families, bring beauty and joy to people around the world, strengthen economies, and advance a more sustainable tomorrow.
IFPA’s mission is to help this extraordinary industry go even further — by removing barriers, elevating our voice through advocacy, sharing the insights that help businesses grow, and bringing our global community together around the challenges and opportunities we share. I am deeply grateful for the commitment of our volunteer leaders, and I look forward to working alongside IFPA’s members and staff to champion fresh, support our industry, and create lasting impact for the world we serve.”
Floral appointments include:
- Eric Fernandez, General Manager, Continental Flowers
- Bas Pellenaars, Commercial Director, Dümmen Orange
Six continents are represented on the IFPA Board, emphasizing a strong diversity of sectors and business focus.
Read more about the produce and floral board member appointments.
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence.
IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.