Duda’s Alcocer looks forward to serving as first U.S. chairman
When former CPMA president Dan Dempster invited Rick Alcocer of Tanimura & Antle to become the association’s first international director back in 2000, the California native jumped at the chance.
“I’d been selling produce in Canada and attending the CPMA convention since the late 1980s and was thrilled to be working with a lot of the Canadians I’d come to know,” said Alcocer, now the Salinas, Calif.-based senior vice president of fresh sales for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, Fla., where he’s responsible for a regional sales network that spans the globe.
Alcocer said he will be honored and humbled to become the CPMA’s first-ever U.S. chairman on May 11.
“It’s a daunting task but I am really looking forward to the opportunity,” said the personable vice president, who loves to stay active and walks at least three miles a day.
“It’s the first position I’ve had where I am going to be addressing and working with so many people, in some ways an entire industry and country.”
Though he realizes the timing of his appointment is ironic, considering the uncertainty on both sides of the border, Alcocer said he hopes to share news from the U.S. and help the Canadian produce industry understand the drivers behind any proposed changes to international trade.
He also hopes to share advances in technology that tend to appear in the U.S. first, and give Canadians a heads-up when U.S. retailers and foodservice companies make demands on suppliers that may eventually affect Canadian exporters.
“One thing I love about Canada is the diversity of people, with each group bringing the fruits and vegetables they ate back home,” he said. “If somebody blindfolded me and took me to a big Canadian city I’m not sure I’d know what country I was in when I opened my eyes.”
CPMA president Ron Lemaire is excited to have Alcocer in the chairman’s role.
“In the 17 years Rick has been involved with the CPMA board, committees and executive team, he’s brought a real diplomatic approach to our organization,” said Lemaire. “He brings not only a U.S. but a global perspective, since Duda is a global company. With Canada being a global market, it was just natural that we start to move some of our international directors through the position of chair.”
Alcocer’s primary focus during his one-year term will be on food safety, trade and member growth and development. He plans to work with CPMA staff and volunteers to establish a food safety plan with a focus on research and innovation, and work to facilitate CPMA’s efforts to keep trade barrier-free. He will also look for opportunities to expand the number of CPMA tools that allow members to do business in Canada efficiently and effectively.
“I have always found it truly amazing how our small team of staff and volunteers can accomplish so much,” said the father of two.
As an honorary Canadian, Alcocer is looking forward to seeing more of his Northern neighbor in the next year than he ever imagined.
“I love going to Canada,” he said. “The people are great and friendly and I’m up for it. I may even pack my four-piece fly fishing rod in case I get a chance to use i
