United Fresh, PMA name senior management team for new association

Seven current association staff leaders at the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association have been tabbed as the senior management team for the new combined association to be launched Jan. 1.

Future Co-CEOs Cathy Burns of PMA and Tom Stenzel of United Fresh said that their goal with the new organizational structure is to maximize member value.

“Each of the following individuals will serve as department leads working with their teams to plan our overall strategies and execute programs and services to serve our members,” Burns and Stenzel said in a news release.

The senior management team includes:

Yvonne Bull, currently chief financial officer at PMA, will continue in that role leading finance, human resources and IT functions;

Doug Bohr, currently executive director of the Center for Growing Talent at PMA, will serve as chief education and programs officer. Bohr will lead all education and business development programs, including in-person conferences and events, and online training, according to the release. He also will continue to provide leadership for the talent-focused non-profit arm.

Robert Guenther, currently senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh, will serve as chief public policy officer. In addition, the new association will invest in two new positions within Guenther’s team to increase the association’s commitment to U.S. government relations and grassroots advocacy, according to the release.

Jennifer McEntire, currently senior vice president of food safety and technology at United Fresh, will serve as chief food safety and regulatory affairs officer. McEntire will lead all food safety programs and interaction with regulatory officials globally, according to the release. In addition, a new position will be created to expand the new association’s depth in microbiology.

Lauren Scott, currently chief strategy and membership officer at PMA, will serve as chief strategy officer, leading global research and insights, marketing, public relations and communications, and demand creation activities, including the consumer facing not-for-profit foundation, according to the release.

Max Teplitski, currently chief science officer at PMA, will retain the same title, leading basic science, technology, sustainability and supply chain standards and traceability. In addition, the new association will invest in a new position devoted to enhancing the association’s depth in sustainability, according to the release.

 
Miriam Wolk, currently vice president of member services at United Fresh, will serve as chief membership officer, leading all aspects of membership recruitment, retention, engagement and volunteer engagement globally.

“These outstanding leaders will bring their experience and insights from each organization to ensure we are better together,” Burns and Stenzel said in the release. “We have also now positioned staff teams for positions in the combined association and are beginning the complex work of blending programs and services to provide maximum value to our members. We will continue to provide updates of programs and services for 2022 as our work progresses.”