Phil Glaize Jr. named The Packer’s Apple Person for All Seasons

CHICAGO — Praised by his peers for his passion for industry advocacy, Phil Glaize Jr., owner of Glaize Apples, Winchester, Va., is The Packer’s 2022 Apple Person for All Seasons.

Glaize was presented the honor on Aug. 18 by The Packer’s Tom Karst at the U.S. Apple Association’s Marketing Conference in Chicago.

Glaize, a third-generation owner of an apple orchard that began in 1937, has a long track record of industry service, Karst said when presenting the award to Glaize. 

In his career, he has served as U.S. Apple board chairman, as well as chairman of the Virginia Apple Growers Association, the Virginia Apple Board and the Eastern Apple Council. 

He graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor's degree in plant and soil science, and a minor in business. His family includes his wife, Mary Bruce, and four children. 

Sons David Glaize and Philip Glaize III in 2018 launched Glaize and Brother Juice Co., which is a spinoff of Glaize Apples that produces custom-blended apple juice for companies that distill hard cider.

Glaize has been a champion of ag-labor reform efforts through the years and has testified before Congress on the need for immigration reform, Karst said. 

“He has always made the health of the industry part of his job,” said Brenda Briggs, vice president of sales and marketing for Rice Fruit Co., Gardners, Pa.

Glaize thanked The Packer and his peers for the honor.

“Thank you to everybody out there involved in the industry, and it is humbling because of the long list of fantastic apple people that have received this honor,” he said. “I know that all of us are going to keep this industry going for a long, long time.”

The Packer has presented the apple award since 1964.

Last year, Washington apple grower Sean Gilbert was The Packer’s 2021 Apple Person of the Year.