FPAA welcomes new board members for the upcoming term
The Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has elected new individuals to its board.
The group held its annual meeting on Nov. 1, just prior to the start of the 53rd Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament, according to a news release.
The FPAA membership consists of distributor and associate member companies. Open board seats available included two-year terms for eight distributor members and one-year terms for two associate members, the release said.
FPAA outgoing chairman Leonardo Tarriba of Farmer’s Best International led the board nomination process at the annual meeting.
Tarriba completed his two-year term as chairman and was joined by the new FPAA chairman, Rod Sbragia from Crown Jewels Produce, and the outgoing past chair, Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates, according to the release.
“I am excited to have added new, young people to the board and leadership. They are the individuals that will carry the Association forward for years to come,” Sbragia said in the release.
Raquel Espinoza of Produce House was elected as the FPAA’s new chair-elect, where she will serve a two-year term before transitioning into the role of FPAA chairwoman, according to the release.
“FPAA has been a fundamental pillar for the growth of Produce House,” Espinoza said in the release. “The knowledge and support I have accorded has given me a sounding board to lean on. I am paying it forward with high expectations to giving it my best.”
The following five distributors were reelected to a two-year term for 2022-2024:
- Gonzalo Avila of Malena Produce
- Martin Ley of Shipley Sales
- Jose Antonio Martinez of Divine Flavor
- Kyle McGrath of Tricar
- Lesley Sykes of The Sykes Company
The following three distributors were newly elected for a two-year term for 2022-2024:
- Frank Camera of SunFed
- Enrique Garcia of Flavor King
- Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates
The following associate member was newly elected to a one-year term for 2022-2023:
- Alex Suarez of Suarez Brokerage
The following associate member was reelected for a one-year term for 2022-2023:
- Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce
The following was newly elected as division chairman:
- Tomato Division Chairman: JJ Badillo of Fresh International
The following were reelected as division chairmen:
- Mango Division Chairman: Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers
- Grape Division Chairman: John Pandol of Pandol Brothers
These seven directors have one year left of their two-year terms, 2021-2023:
- Juan Manuel Ibarra of Marengo Foods
- James Martin of Wilson Produce
- Juan Pablo Molina of Fresh Farms
- Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies
- Mikee Suarez of MAS Melons & Grapes
- Omar Losolla of Seeded Produce
- Guillermo Martinez of Frello Fresh
Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association seat:
- Demetrio Kyriakis of K&K International Logistics continues as the FPAA board representative of the Nogales US Customs Brokers Assoc.
The FPAA also recognized outgoing board members for their service and guidance.
The following board members completed their two-year terms, 2020-2022:
- Bobby Astengo of Peppers Plus
- Matt Mandel of SunFed
- Eric Meyer of Prime Time
The following board member completed a two-year term as Tomato Division chairman, 2020-2022:
- Jimmy Mungia, Del Campo
In addition to board elections, FPAA leaders discussed some of the key issues from the previous year that impacted member companies, the release said. “FPAA has been very active and all fronts this past year, and it was great to bring together the Members to celebrate the achievements,” FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer said in the release.
In the past year, he said in the release that FPAA has seen:
- The opening of the $135 million flyover route in Nogales, shaving 10-12 minutes off each produce shipment in Arizona.
- In Texas, pushing back against the commercial shipping inspections imposed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Mexican imports, including fresh produce, which snarled the market for more than eight days.
- Successfully facing down a Section 301 trade investigation petition from the Florida congressional delegation. USTR ruled Oct. 23 to reject the Florida petition.
“Members of the FPAA rely on us to have their back, and we intend to keep up with that promise in 2023 as well, “Jungmeyer said in the release.
The FPAA’s annual meeting was followed by its annual convention in Tubac, Ariz.
“We had a special time with friends in Tubac, but next year’s conference is going to be on another level altogether,” Jungmeyer said in the release. “We are excited about the SouthWest International Produce Expo in Tucson, Nov. 2-4, 2024. This is FPAA’s first expo oriented toward buyers, and we are well-positioned with ample time between other industry trade shows.”
