January 14, 2025

Western Growers Members Appointed to USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of 25 industry leaders to the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC), including several members of Western Growers. These appointees will serve two-year terms, advising the Secretary of Agriculture on key issues affecting the fruit and vegetable sector.

Western Growers congratulates the following committee members on their appointments:

Broker/Distributor/Wholesaler/Importer/Exporter

  • Alice Choi-Barrick, President, Tay Shing Corporation of New York
  • Mike Dill, Director of Advocacy & Sustainability, Organically Grown Company
  • Alex DiNovo, President and Chief Operating Officer, DNO Produce
  • Tony Freytag, Executive Vice President, Advisor to Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Crunch Pak LLC
  • Bill Weyland, Vice President Imports, Seven Seas Fruit

Industry/Trade Association

  • Ken Love, Executive Director, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers
  • Jenny Maloney, Americas Industry Affairs Director, Bayer Vegetable Seeds

Farmers Market/Food Hub/Retailer/Food Service 

  • Roland R. Harmon II, Senior Director Produce Sourcing-California, Walmart
  • Don Wambles, Division Director, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Farmers Market Authority Division
  • Eastlyn Marie Wright, Buy Fresh Buy Local Program Coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Farm Organization/Grower/Producer/Shipper

  • Stephen Brazeel, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, SunTerra Produce Traders
  • Sarah Davidson Evanega, Vice President of Business Development, Okanagan Specialty Fruits
  • Frank Mazzetti III, Council Member, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
  • Neil Nagata, Farmer, Nagata Bros Farms Inc.
  • Takashi Nakamura, Vice President of Research & Development and Global Food Safety for Fresh Del Monte
  • Eric Profitt, Executive Vice President, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic

Re-appointed members:

Broker/Distributor/Wholesaler/Importer/Exporter

  • Angel Rafael Santiago, President and Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Produce Exchange, Inc.

Industry/Trade Association 

  • Karla J. Stockli, Chief Executive Officer, California Fig Advisory Board
  • Kay Swartz Rentzel, Executive Director, Southeastern Food Processors Association, National Peach Council, and U.S. Sweet Potato Council

Farmers Market/Food Hub/Retailer/Food Service 

  • Anthony M. Mirisciotta, Executive Director, Spring Creek Food Hub

Farm Organization/Grower/Producer/Shipper

  • Amy Jeanne Baker, Senior Director, Quality and Regulatory Compliance Management for Peterson Farms
  • James Robert Benson, National Sales Director, Hronis, Inc.
  • Morris Hodges, Owner/Farm Manger, Morris Watermelon Farm LLC
  • Darwin Anthony Inman, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Horizon Nut Company, LLC
  • Reggie Marshall, Grower, Reggie’s Veggies

Their expertise and leadership will contribute to shaping the future of the fruit and vegetable industry at a national level. For a full version of the USDA press release, click here.