The fresh produce industry never lacked for challenges during Tom Stenzel’s nearly 30-year career as CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association.
At the same time, there were answers to the challenges. Industry leaders describe what they appreciate about Stenzel’s contributions on issues of importance, notably nutrition, PACA and food safety. The Packer posed the following questions:
“What do you appreciate about the contributions Tom Stenzel has made to the produce industry through his leadership at United Fresh through the years? What issues do you associate with his accomplishments?”
Jennifer McEntire , chief food safety and regulatory officer, the International Fresh Produce Association: Tom is the best. He’s fantastic. I really appreciate Tom’s leadership style, because he is the ultimate strategist. But he is not arrogant. There are some people who flex their muscles. I think that Tom’s way of being effective is more subtle, but more impactful. And his legacy — I think you look at some of the broad nutrition programs, you look at the produce safety rule. Tom has gone and let Congress know what the produce industry needs, that the industry needs support.
Dan Vache, Vache Ventures, Redmond, Wash. : Tom has been instrumental in leading the fresh produce industry through many challenges from the many food safety issues and has worked tirelessly to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Accomplishments include the increase of value in the [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] and through the school nutrition programs. Perhaps the greatest victory was fighting the battle to save [the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act]. Without Tom’s strong charge to maintain PACA, the industry would have taken a huge step backward in maintaining balance in buy/sell agreements. Tom also built great leadership programs, such as the Executive Leadership Program, Cornell, and the Produce Development Leadership Program with Tim Vaux at DuPont.
Cindy Jewell, president at Jewell Marketing, Aptos, Calif. :
Tom is a classic example of servant leadership. He always leads by example and never, ever lost sight of the fact that he and his team represented all of us. I always appreciated him during the Tour de Fresh. He would fly across the country just to spend an evening and early morning somewhere in California just to welcome the group and wave the flag, to express his gratitude.
Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest : Tom is an intelligent person [who] can connect with others at any level. He is full of wisdom, with a pleasant, easygoing attitude and a good sense of humor. He is authentic and steady, but never boring. Serving a term on the United board and attending many of the produce events on Capitol Hill, I always enjoyed his meetings, as they were very productive and always included something unexpected.
Richard Matoian, president of the American Pistachio Growers : Tom always had a knack for cutting through the noise and bringing forth practical solutions to a myriad issues and problems faced by the produce industry. His ability to communicate effectively in both small and large group settings made him a unique leader to move the entire industry forward.
Dante L Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas International Produce Association : I believe Tom’s been successful at his role in United Fresh because of his passion and experiences with the industry. He’s seen the fruit and vegetable trade evolve and adapt, so he knows these issues and he knows the shakers and movers. He understands the implications of these issues, and that, in my opinion, has helped make him a leader in mobilizing our industry into action and advocacy. His insight and guidance will be missed, and we wish him nothing but the absolute best as he begins this next chapter of his career and his life.
Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers : Tom was always enthusiastic about what could be accomplished through cohesiveness and collaboration among the industry’s many partners. That motivating focus has never been more important. I wish Tom well as he embarks on this next phase of his career.
Mary Coppola Heslep, senior vice president of food for Ten Acre Marketing: Tom’s rolodex belongs in the produce industry archives of how to make friends and influence decisions. His network was meticulously curated, and he always prioritized time to nurture and maintain key relationships. What the produce industry may not realize is that Tom is as well respected, if not more so, among his trade association executive peers as he is within our industry. It is those relationships that allowed him to be successful in advancing fresh produce policy and advocacy over many decades as the voice of the produce supply chain in Washington, D.C.
Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash. : Tom and the team at United Fresh were stewards of our industry, especially as it related to issues at the legislative level. Tom was instrumental in developing action-oriented committees to serve the industry interests, including the grower-shipper-processor board. He led his group to take the lead on leadership development within the industry, crisis management and government relations.
Roger Pepperl, retired produce industry executive: Tom led the industry on government and regulatory issues. He also had a nose for up-and-coming hot buttons before others.
Frank Swanson retired senior manager of produce operations for U.S. Foods : Keeping the produce industry front and center with our legislators and understanding how to maneuver through the maze in D.C.
Robert Guenther, chief public policy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association: This is pretty simple. Tom has a passion for the fresh produce industry that goes beyond the job. As the saying goes, ‘He walks the walk, and talks the talk.’ In my career, you see so many people in Washington, D.C., who agree to a job for all the wrong reasons. Tom is unique in that space, as he has a drive and commitment to make the fresh produce industry better every day. Finally, he has always pushed each of us further … as we have advocated for the industry and our members in Washington, DC.
