Two Councils to Launch at United Fresh 2013

Two new United Fresh councils will convene for the first time at United Fresh 2013 in San Diego, May 14-16. The Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council and the Finance & Business Management Council will engage United volunteer leaders and build marketing and business value for all members. Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Growers, will serve as Chairman of the Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council, which is composed of more than 30 fresh produce marketing leaders. The Council will work to develop United programs that drive value in consumer marketing, branding, social media, point-of-sale strategies, retail partnership programs and other merchandising components. With an overall goal to better understand and serve the end consumer who chooses fresh produce at retail stores or restaurants, the new council will bring together marketing and merchandising experts from all segments of the industry to address priority issues and enhance the sales and profitability of our industry. The initial slate of volunteers on the Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council for 2013-2014 are: Roger Pepperl, Chairman, Stemilt Growers Nick Bergstrom, Pero Family Farms Jacqueline Bohmer, Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association Chris Bartley Christian, California Strawberry Commission Barbara Dan, Ready Pac Foods Lisa Davis, Edge Sales and Marketing Julie L DeWolf, Sunkist Growers Tony DiNovo, DNO Charlie Eagle, Southern Specialties Natalie Erlendson, Sun World International Cindy A. Jewell, California Giant Berry Farms Douglas Kling, Village Farms Paul Kneeland, Kings Food Markets Cristie Mather, Pear Bureau Northwest Mark Munger, MCL Fresh Gary Myracle, Associated Wholesale Grocers Larry Narwold, River Ranch Fresh Foods Scott Owens, Paramount Citrus Jennifer Pelayo, Advantage Sales & Marketing Audra Pura, Earthbound Farm Robert Rinker, Fresh Link Group Greg Robertson, Phillips Mushroom Farms Bill Schneider, Melissa's/World Variety Produce Drew Schwartzhoff, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Sarah Seebran, Bland Farms Shannon Shuman, The Packer Publications Kori Tuggle-Dinner, Ocean Mist Farms Chris Veillon, Mastronardi Produce Joe Watson, Rouses Markets Mary Wright-Rana, PRO*ACT Megan Zweig, DMA Solutions The Finance & Business Management Council will also hold its inaugural meeting at United Fresh 2013. Scott Danner, Liberty Fruit Co. has been selected as Chairman and will lead the council in working to provide member companies with a vetted source for information, benchmarking data and programs to assist them in running their business operations. The council will focus on a range of business issues impacting companies such as financial and strategic planning, family business and estate transfer, financing and investment, human resources issues such as insurance and health care and other critical business functions. The initial slate of volunteers on the Finance & Business Management Council for 2013-2014 are: Scott Danner, Chairman, Liberty Fruit Co. Phillip Brooks, H. Brooks & Company Chris Hagemann, N2N Global Sue Hunter, Strube Celery & Vegetable Company Robert Kershaw, Domex Superfresh Growers Bob Kiehnle, PRO*ACT Daniel D. Marchetti CPA, Urschel Laboratories Rob Mumma, Belair Produce Steven P Ottum, Potandon Produce Jason Pounds, Hardie's Fruit & Vegetable Company Toby Purse, Lipman Loretta Radanovic, Four Seasons Family of Companies Philip Taluban, Ocean Mist Farms Greg Wohlleb, Bunzl “These two new councils will broaden the produce industry’s resource base in marketing and business matters, aspects that can be key determinants of a company’s success,” says United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel. “The expertise represented by United’s volunteer leaders is unrivalled, and we are looking forward to working with them to strengthen the entire industry and develop programs and services to serve our members needs.”   The Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council and the Finance & Business Management Council will hold meetings at United Fresh 2013, May 14-16 in San Diego. To register for the convention, please visit www.unitedfreshshow.org.