PMA Names Vonnie Estes VP of Technology

In an effort to highlight the rising role of technology in the global fresh produce and floral industry—and help industry members harness the power of technology to enhance their businesses—the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has appointed Vonnie Estes to the newly created role of VP of technology.

Vonnie Estes photograph courtesy of PMA

In her new role, which takes effect in October, Estes will be responsible for engaging with PMA members, coalitions and produce and floral industry members to provide the supply chain with science- and technology-specific connections, information and solutions they need to sustain and grow their businesses.

Estes will also be responsible for helping PMA members gain greater awareness and understanding of emerging science and technologies, particularly as they relate to labor, food safety and sustainability.

“As technology continues to influence all aspects of the produce and floral supply chains, it made sense to add an expert of Vonnie’s caliber to our team to provide deeper value to PMA members and industry,” PMA CEO Cathy Burns said in a statement. “Her expertise and insights will help our global community better understand how to leverage current and emerging technologies to grow their businesses, and ultimately grow a healthier world.”

Related:PMA Names New VP of Food Safety

With a career devoted to developing the supply chain connections necessary to bring biotechnology innovations to commercialization and use—and a particular interest in developing sustainable products—Estes has experience in agricultural biotechnology including CRISPR Cas9 plant breeding, artificial intelligence, big data, indoor agriculture, biofuels and more. She also brings with her broad business expertise, including business strategy, government and public affairs, marketing, business development and finance.

Estes joins PMA’s science and technology team, which is led by Chief Science and Technology Officer Bob Whitaker, Ph.D., and includes Ed Treacy, VP of supply chain efficiencies; Johnna Hepner, director of food safety and technology; Cyndi Neal, manager of content development; and Christina D’Allacco, manager of produce coding.

Bob Whitaker photograph courtesy of PMA

Trevor Suslow, Ph.D., will also join the PMA staff Oct. 1 as vice president of produce safety.

“I look forward to bringing the expertise and skills I’ve developed working for individual companies in the technology space to bear to help PMA’s members across the supply chain and around the world,” Estes said in a statement. “Together, we can help capitalize on the opportunities and minimize the challenges of adopting tech. My personal passions for agriculture and sustainability mesh perfectly with PMA’s mission to connect, inform and deliver industry solutions to enhance members’ prosperity—in a way that sustains both people and the planet.”

Since 2015, Estes has been an independent business consultant, guiding clients to implement new technologies and other innovations. She previously held leadership roles at companies including DuPont, Monsanto and Syngenta, and most recently was VP of business development for Caribou Biosciences, a biotechnology company specializing in CRISPR Cas9 genome engineering.

Estes is also a former colleague of Whitaker from their experience together at DNA Plant Technologies early in her career.

“This is an exciting time for our industry,” said Whitaker. “Technology development is exploding across our industry, and we have a unique opportunity to help our members become aware of these opportunities and evaluate the value emerging technologies can have for their businesses.”

Estes earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from New Mexico State University and a master's degree in plant pathology from University of California, Davis. She also received the fourth annual Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology in 2017, an award that recognizes women making contributions in the field of biotechnology.