The thing about Tom...

What is it about Tom Stenzel that he was able to survive and thrive for nearly 30 years in the high-pressure world of industry politics and association leadership?

Produce Industry leaders we visited with had many answers, and many responses touched on Stenzel’s sense of humility and servant leadership, combined with his high-level strategic thinking.

We asked industry leaders what made Tom Stenzel an effective leader. Here are some of their responses:

Amy Philpott, vice president of crisis services for Watson Green LLC 

Tom is one of the most strategic leaders I know. He sees opportunities where others do not and never hesitates to take a calculated risk for the industry’s benefit. I appreciate and admire Tom’s unrelenting passion for the industry. I also appreciate his sense of humor. [Vice President of Political Affairs for International Fresh Produce Association] John Toner and I played an office joke on him once, and, thankfully, he laughed instead of firing us!

Dan Vache, Vache Ventures, Redmond, Wash. 

I have been a member of [the former United Fresh Produce Association] since 1977 and have known Tom since his first days at United Fresh. As a volunteer member of the Distribution Council [1988-1994] and served on the board of directors 1996-2000 and secretary/treasurer 2001-2005. I also worked with Tom as a member of the UFPA Education Foundation board of directors 2006-2008. Tom was an effective leader for many reasons but, most of all, Tom always put the members and the industry as his first priority. Tom guided the association through many turbulent times dealing with major food safety and regulatory challenges that never [seem] to end.

Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash. 

Tom is incredibly relatable and a leader [who] puts people first. He makes it easy for anyone to approach and talk to him, and he genuinely cares about your and your company’s issues and success. I was able to learn from Tom while on the Class 24 Leadership trip to Baja, Mexico. It was a memorable trip for many reasons, but the knowledge that Tom passed onto us and his ability to connect with each of us was invaluable.    

Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest 

I first met Tom in his first year with United. I also had just been promoted to president of the Pear Bureau and was in my first year in that role. Tom was out to meet the apple, pear and cherry industry at a Northwest Horticultural Council meeting on the Oregon coast. Tom, my spouse and I enjoyed a pleasant dinner, setting up a two-decade professional relationship and friendship. Tom's spouse is also a wonderful person and I wish them both a very pleasant future in their next adventures.     

Roger Pepperl, retired produce industry executive 

Tom was kind and that is somewhat rare in today’s world. He also kept focused on the things that needed to be done and didn’t try to do things that the industry didn’t need. We have too many organizations that try to commoditize our businesses and run a social program to support the weak. That wasn’t Tom. Tom was laser-focused. Tom always remembered my wife, Joni, and asked about her or invited her along wherever we were going. Tom understood what was important to me personally.

Frank Swanson, retired senior manager of produce operations for U.S. Foods 

I have known Tom for many years and admire his patience and tolerance!

John Toner, vice president of political affairs for the International Fresh Produce Association 

 Like any great leader, he allows people to fail; Tom allows you to learn from your mistakes. Sometimes, you have to pay for your mistakes. But he definitely taught me that you have to make mistakes to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Charles Hall, executive director emeritus of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers 

The CEO of any trade association has a difficult job. You have many member stakeholders [who] often have different priorities and business positions than the trade association. That was definitely true with United members. Tom has a way about him in which he can get all of the parties at the table and talk through the differences, identify the areas that can be agreed upon and move the discussion forward for the good of all. Tom knows how to build consensus. He hears all sides, keeps the conversation open and finds common ground. He has a ‘cool head,’ honest and was always the true professional in industry discussions. People respect a person with those attributes and that helped make him successful.

Richard Matoian, president of the American Pistachio Growers 

When I worked for the California Fresh Fruit Association, I was on several United Fresh committees. I always appreciated Tom's dedication to the produce industry, and his desire to always represent the interests of his membership. His straightforward talk and knowledge of the political and regulatory landscape made him an effective leader.

Mary Coppola Heslep, senior vice president of food for Ten Acre Marketing

Tom knew when to get involved and when to let his team do what they do best. He was open to the ideas and opportunities we all brought to the table, yet had the experience to know what might work and what would not. Tom trusted my creative approach to marketing and communications, and although he would occasionally remind me that he, too, had a communication background, he provided an environment for me to experiment and grow.

Cindy Jewell, president at Jewell Marketing, Aptos, Calif. 

He is just really, really humble. The humility that he lived with, just trying to always remember that (United) served others, and he was there at our will. As a consultant, he could be very busy advising industry members on political issues or helping commodity boards in how they could work with their members better. If I were a president of a commodity board, I would bring him in to consult and look at all of our programs, all of our communication vehicles and how we can communicate better with members and constituents. He is a really good referee, dealing with members with competing interests.

Robert Guenther, chief public policy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association

His drive, commitment to the industry, leadership skills and strategic acumen.