The International Fresh Produce Association announced its slate of new officers and directors for the 2026 IFPA Board of Directors on Aug. 19. All six continents are represented with a strong diversity of sectors and business focus, according to the association. These volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin its board service at the 2025 Global Fresh Produce and Floral Show, October 16–18, in Anaheim, Calif.
The new Board slate for 2026 is:
- Australia-New Zealand Advisory Board chair: Dean Gall, chief operating officer of Premier Fresh Australia
- Food Safety Council chair: Jeff Priebe, vice president of quality assurance and food safety at Danaco Solutions
- Foundation for Fresh Produce chair: Jin Ju Wilder, vice president of marketing and business development at Vesta Foodservice
- South Africa Council chair: Adolf Kieviet, managing director at FreshWorld
- U.S. Council chair: Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge
At-Large Representatives:
- Bernardo Calvo, CEO of Sun World International
- Jim DiMenna, president of Red Sun Farms
- Nicolas Moller, chairman at Hortifrut
- Carlos Oramas, CEO of The Gems Group
- Shawn Peery, vice president of produce at Albertsons
The IFPA Board of Directors is guided by the executive committee, which will be led in 2026 by current chair-elect Patrick Vizzone, founder and managing partner of AgroNovare. Current Board chair Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, will assume the role of past board chair.
During the Global Produce and Floral Show, Vizzone and DeBoer will share their reflections on year one of IFPA’s strategic plan, announced in October 2024, among other topics.
Joining the executive committee are 2026 chair-elect Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms; treasurer Mohammed Abbas, executive vice president chief operating officer of Del Monte Fresh Produce; at-large executive committee member and incoming U.S. Council chair Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge; and at-large Executive Committee member and incoming Sustainability Council chair Adriëlle Dankier, CEO of Nature’s Pride.
“Across the globe, the fresh produce and floral industry makes a vital contribution to health, sustainability and economic growth. Yet barriers remain that limit our industry’s full potential. Removing those barriers is central to IFPA’s mission — whether through advocacy, delivering insights and market intelligence, or uniting our community to solve shared challenges,” says 2025 chair-elect Patrick Vizzone in a news release.
“This work would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer leaders on the IFPA Board of Directors. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as chair in 2026, and I look forward to working with IFPA staff and this esteemed group to fight for fresh and deliver meaningful impact for our industry and the world,” Vizzone continues.
Board directors completing their service in Anaheim are:
- Aribel Aguirre-Beck, chief financial officer/chief administrative officer of Naturipe Farms, LLC
- John Anderson, Chairman, CEO and managing partner at The Oppenheimer Group
- Richard Byllaardt, chairman of Citrus Australia
- Paulina Criticos, CEO, EMEA, of Westfalia Fruit (Pty) Ltd
- Bret Erickson, executive vice president at Little Bear Produce
- Dwight Ferguson, director of Nourse Farms
- Stefanie Katzman, CEO of Katzman
- Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
- Karen Nardozza, CEO of Moxxy Marketing
- Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of RSA Group
- Jennifer Pulcipher, director of food safety and compliance at North Bay Produce
- John Simko, president and CEO of Sunshine Bouquet Company
