Viva Fresh Expo announces new board for retail, foodservice
The Mission-based Texas International Produce Association has announced a new advisory board of 13 retail and foodservice contacts, to assist in planning the Viva Fresh Expo in 2017 and beyond.
The third annual Viva Fresh Produce Expo is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Austin Convention Center and Hilton Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Advisory board members will serve a two-year term and provide input on educational sessions, keynote speakers, show schedule and more, said Bret Erickson, the association's president and CEO.
"Our goal is to continue to deliver on implementing a conference and expo that exceeds expectations and provides innovative programs and services," Erickson said in a news release. "In order to accomplish this, we felt it was critical that the retail and foodservice attendees weigh-in and offer their valuable insights and advice."
Serving on the board in 2017 are:
- Mat Reeves and Brian Boutin, business development managers at H-E-B Grocery Co.;
- Joseph Bunting, produce business director, United Supermarkets;
- Keith Durham, certified category manager for fresh foods, Brookshire Grocery Co.;
- Greg Campisi, senior director of quality control for the fresh grocery division, Wal-Mart;
- Tony Fisher, director of sourcing, Wal-Mart;
- Joseph Soe, manager of produce sourcing, Sobeys Inc.;
- Frank Pagliaro, vice president of national produce/floral procurement, Loblaw Cos.;
- Jessica Johnson, executive purchasing coordinator for produce & floral in the Southwest Region, Whole Foods Market;
- Wes Holcomb, director of produce and dairy, Ben E. Keith Co.;
- Greg Rowe, chief operating officer, Hardies Fresh Foods; and
- Mark Sanders, senior manager of strategic purchasing, FreshPoint.
"The retail and foodservice attendees are an important component of our event and we want to ensure we're meeting their needs as well as obtain their guidance to help us grow," said Jimmy Bassetti, president of Edinburg, Texas-based J&D Produce Inc. and chairman of the Viva Fresh Expo Steering Committee.
More information is at vivafreshexpo.com. Registration for retail and foodservice buyers is free, and a travel stipend is provided.
