Hunt Shipman and Cornerstone Government Affairs to represent PMA on Issues Leadership

During the annual State of the Industry Address at Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California, the association’s President Cathy Burns announced that Cornerstone Government Affairs, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm, with the leadership of Hunt Shipman, will represent the association’s members on global industry issues. As a result of PMA’s new strategic plan announced late last year, the association is strengthening and restructuring its approach to addressing those issues that are most critical to the global produce industry like food safety, trade and consumption, say organization officials. This new focus, termed Issues Leadership, encompasses elements of government relations, public affairs and public relations to provide the industry with a solutions-based approach to shaping issues. Shipman and his team will provide critical expertise and communications approaches to bring value to PMA members. “Our member leaders were very judicious in defining our Issues Leadership strategy and we couldn’t have found a better organization to guide our work as we implement that strategy,” says Burns. “The entire team at Cornerstone, led by Hunt Shipman, brings decades of experience to the conversation, with an extensive knowledge and passion for agriculture. I’m very confident that their addition to our team will have a great impact on our industry and the issues we face on a global level.” “We’re excited to put our team’s experience and expertise to work on behalf of the largest trade association for the produce and floral industries and the members they represent. This weekend’s show will provide us with a great opportunity to get to know more of PMA’s members and discuss firsthand the issues they face,” says Shipman. PMA’s issues of focus, identified by the Issues Leadership Taskforce, include:

Members of the PMA Issues Leadership task force which defined PMA’s areas of focus were: •           Maureen Torrey Marshall, Torrey Farms, chair •           Dave Corsi, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. •           Mike Hollister, Driscoll’s •           Kent Shoemaker, Lipman Produce •           Vic Smith, JV Smith Companies •           Mike Stuart, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association •           Jin Ju Wilder,Valley Fruit & Produce Company                        •           Lee Woodham, FreshPoint, Inc, •           Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission