PMA Reorganizes Staff

NEWARK, Del. — Produce Marketing Association last week unveiled a series of management moves that it said would better help it implement its strategic plan.

Lorna Christie has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer, with the responsibility of managing PMA's member service and administrative functions. Christie, who joined PMA in 2002, had been COO.

In addition, Tony Parassio has been promoted to senior vice president of member value. Parassio joined PMA in 2008. He oversees PMA's global outreach efforts. Duane Eaton, a 30-year PMA veteran, continues to manage the association's support services as senior vice president of administration, a new title. He had been chief administrative officer. Eaton and Parassio report to Christie.

Christie's promotion will free up Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO, from some administrative duties and allow him more time to work with PMA's external partners and board members, a spokeswoman told SN.

PMA also made two promotions in its events staff. Kent Allaway is now vice president of meetings and trade show logistics, and Eboni Wall has been named senior director of events.

To reflect PMA's focus on global outreach, 17-year PMA veteran Terry Humfeld was named vice president of chapter relations, a new position. Humfeld's responsibilities include working with PMA's first international affiliate, PMA Australia-New Zealand, which was launched Oct. 1, 2009. The association also hired Richard Owen as director of global business development in an effort to strengthen PMA's global efforts. He will work closely with 30-year PMA veteran Nancy Tucker, vice president of global business development.