Trevor Suslow, who joined the Produce Marketing Association in mid-2018 as vice president of produce safety, is stepping down from full-time duties at the association.
He will “remained engaged with PMA on a part-time basis,” according to a PMA news release, and he’s returning to the University of California-Davis as an emeritus Extension research scientist. He’s been critical in delivering food safety value to the industry and will remain as a resource to PMA members.
PMA CEO Cathy Burns said Suslow, whose last day at PMA will be Dec. 1, has been a phenomenal resource.
“He is always dedicated to following the science in his work and in his support of members,” Burns said in the release. “I’m grateful for his impact here at PMA and that he will continue to contribute to the industry in his new capacities.”
Before joining PMA, Suslow was an Extension specialist at UC-Davis for 25 years, and he has degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Plant Pathology from there.
“My two years at PMA have been nothing short of intense involvement and engagement with a very different facet to providing support, service, and technical leadership to the most dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging food and supply-chain industry,” Suslow said in the release.
“I have learned a lot from an immersion in a different aspect of what I have done my whole career,” he said in the release. “I have been very impressed with the level of creativity, dedication, and passion found across all levels at PMA.”
Suslow said he’s fortunate he can still maintain a role with PMA and have a similar role in public engagement and private support interactions.
Suslow was active in food safety, pre- and post-harvest microbiology and technology before joining PMA, and he’s been active in training the industry. That includes contributions to PMA’s FreshEd Academy and building bridges with stakeholders throughout the industry, according to the release.
Max Teplitski, PMA’s chief science officer, said this is an important time for produce safety.
“As PMA works to grow a healthier world, increasing consumption of fresh produce is more urgent than ever, which means relentlessly pursuing solutions and innovations for enhancing our produce safety best practices is also more urgent than ever,” he said in the release. “While we will miss Trevor’s everyday presence here at PMA, I look forward to working with Trevor in his new capacity, both in PMA and at UC-Davis.”
PMA will start a search for his successor, and will schedule a going-away reception.
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