Jin Ju Wilder Takes Reins of PMA's Board of Directors

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) kicked off the 2017 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in New Orleans with the induction of the 2017-2018 PMA Board of Directors. Jin Ju Wilder, director of marketing at LA & SF Specialty, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., is the new chair of the board, joined by five other officers and 26 directors.

“I’m humbled and eager to take over as chair of the PMA Board of Directors,” said Wilder. “Fresh Summit is our traditional leadership changeover, and that is so appropriate because the energy and excitement of Fresh Summit mirror the energy and excitement of the board as we strive for greater value for and engagement with our members over the next year.”

In addition to Wilder, officers elected to the 2017-2018 PMA board include:

PMA also presented leadership awards to Tim York, president of Markon, based in Salinas, Calif., and Bill Schuler, executive adviser and retiring president and CEO of Castellini Group, Newport, Ky. The annual leadership awards honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding collaborative leadership and an exceptional volunteer commitment to PMA and the produce industry.

York is the first to receive the 2017 Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award, presented by PMA CEO Cathy Burns and PMA Past Chair John Oxford, president and CEO of L&M, Raleigh, N.C. Established in  2016 in recognition of Silbermann’s 30-year career at PMA, the Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award honors an individual’s collaborative leadership style in uniting industry members or organizations, including those outside the honoree’s own organization, to realize mutually beneficial solutions to an industry issue.

York formed a buyer-led initiative intent on enhanced food safety after the spinach food safety incident in 2006 and co-founded the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops in 2008. He served on the inaugural Produce Traceability Initiative steering committee and co-chaired its Leadership Council. York has also chaired the PMA Board of Directors and the PMA Foodservice Board, when it existed in the mid-90s, and served on the Center for Growing Talent by PMA (CGTbyPMA) Board of Directors.

“Our winner doesn’t just sit back and talk, but rather takes the lead on every initiative he asserts will benefit produce,” said Oxford. “He is a true leader in the sense that he fully commits himself to the needs of the produce industry.”

Schuler received the 2017 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award in honor of his volunteer leadership to PMA. Schuler’s service to the produce industry through PMA, CGTbyPMA and other organizations spans 30 years, where he has served as either member, co-chair or chair of numerous task forces and committees, including chair of the Fresh Summit committee and simultaneously chairing PMA’s and CGTbyPMA’s Boards of Directors. Schuler also was key to CGTbyPMA’s establishment.

“[Schuler] embodies  the tenacious, volunteer leadership essential to a member-driven organization like PMA,” said Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, Irvine, Calif., and last year’s winner. “He has graciously shared with PMA the same vision, leadership and dedication he brings every day to his own company.”