UFFVA Names 2004 Board Officers and Nominees

WASHINGTON, D.C. - United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association here has announced the produce industry leaders nominated to serve on its 2004 board of directors.

Ascending to chairman of the board is Lawrence A. Kern, president and c.e.o. of Ready Pac Produce in Irwindale, Calif. Kern joined Ready Pac April 1, following an 11-year career with the Dole Food Co. Kern has served on United's Board since 2000 and was chairman-elect of the association for the past year.

Nicholas A. Tompkins, president and c.e.o. of Apio Inc. in Guadelupe, Calif., was nominated as 2004 chairman-elect, to assume the chairmanship of United in 2005. Tompkins has been c.e.o. of Apio since its founding in 1979. Apio is a manufacturer and marketer of precut value-added vegetables to the club, retail, and foodservice sectors, as well as an exporter of fruits and vegetables throughout the world.

Current chairman, Karen B. Caplan, president and c.e.o. of Frieda's in Los Alamitos, Calif., will hold the office of immediate past chairman and remain on the board and the executive committee for one year. In addition, Daniel G. Vache, v.p. of sales at Sensitech in Redmond, Wash., will continue to serve as secretary/treasurer.

The following industry leaders were nominated to serve on United's board for a two-year term beginning May 2004:

-Glen A. Barnhouse, director of produce merchandising and procurement, Kroger Co., Cinncinati

-Rick Cooper, v.p. of sales for national accounts, Del Monte Fresh Produce Co., Coral Gables, Fla.


-Mark G. Hilton, v.p. of produce and floral, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Charlotte, N.C.

-Jim Lemke, v.p. of produce, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Minneapolis.

-Walter Strickland, owner and president, Strickland Produce, Inc., Nashville, Tenn.

Two current members appointed to the board in February are also running for their first election. They include Rick Antle, c.e.o. and principal of Tanimura & Antle, Inc in Salinas, Calif., and Hugh Topper, director of produce for the H.E. Butt Grocery Co. in San Antonio, Texas.
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