The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival announced on March 17 that Bob Mast, president of CMI Orchards, is being recognized as the 2023 Apple Citizen of the Year. The award was bestowed in a surprise presentation by Festival Administrator Darci Christoferson, along with Apple Blossom Queen Scarlette Cron and Princesses Natalie Pearson and Dylan Schmitten.

The Apple Citizen of the Year award is chosen by leaders of the industry and past recipients of the award. Since 1981, this award has honored the roots of the fruit industry, as well as the leaders that make Wenatchee Valley the Apple

Marketing Plus, a leading marketing and advertising agency, promoted Johnna Johnson to vice president of marketing and client services. With this new role, Johnson will be responsible for leading the agency's marketing and client services departments as well as driving the growth and success of the business.

Johnson has been an essential part of Marketing Plus since the summer of 2013. After completing her bachelor's degree in business administration with an option in marketing from CSU-Fresno, Johnson first served as the junior accounts coordinator, learning the ropes of the agency.

Through

Industry veteran Robert (Bob) Meek joined Masser Family of Cos. as executive vice president of sales as of March 20. Meek will lead the company’s sales strategy for its retail and foodservice businesses and report to Dave Masser, president and CEO.

Meek joins Masser with more than 30 years of experience in the fresh produce industry, where he achieved success through expertise in strategic planning, sales, marketing, organizational performance, process improvement and supply chain management.

Most recently Meek was the CEO of Onions 52 Inc. and held executive roles at Wada Farms, Category

With providing food-safety expertise and business solutions as one of its strategic commitments, the International Fresh Produce Association recently welcomed the fourth cohort from a variety of IFPA member companies to its Produce Safety Immersion Program.

Sponsored by Calavo Growers and EcoLab, the six-month program consists of a mix of virtual and in-person education opportunities designed to develop the technical capacity, critical thinking skills and leadership attributes of the next generation of produce safety professionals.

“IFPA has long advocated that produce safety is not

The Eastern Produce Council announced the members of its 2023 Leadership Class. An unprecedented class of 26 up-and-coming produce professionals will benefit from a wide array of professional development opportunities related to the produce industry.

The respected program delivers growth and knowledge experiences in a variety of venues. “Through this program, participants have the opportunity to grow from experiences in both field and classroom,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director. “This learning environment furthers their ability to develop their career in our industry

Douglas Fisher, who has served as New Jersey’s secretary of agriculture since he was appointed in 2009, is retiring from his role.

“I am proud of the extraordinary accomplishments the department, working together with organizations and individuals representing all the constituencies we serve, has been able to achieve,” Fisher said. “Many talented, experienced and caring folks work here day in and day out to serve the public in a vast number of areas such as school feeding, marketing of farm products, food banks, animal and plant health, land preservation, conservation and so much more.”

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