Alfonso Cano of Northgate Gonzalez Markets is officially the new chairman at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, a role passed on at the organization's annual dinner dance.
Connie Stukenberg of the California Avocado Commission stepped down from that role and remains on the board as the immediate past chairwoman.
More than 500 produce and floral industry professionals attended the annual event Jan. 27 at Disney's Grand Californians Hotel and Spa, according to a news release.
Other board changes include Marvin Quebec of Quebec Distributing Co. as past chairman representative, Andrew Bivens of Westlake Produce Co. is chairman-elect, and Brian Cook of Pete's Living Greens is the board's secretary/treasurer.
Recently retired Roger Schroeder of Stater Bros. Markets, has been named honorary past chairman, serving alongside Harland Heath of Heath & Lejeune, according to the release.
Rick Montoya of Farmers & Growers Plaza LLC retired from the board and Don Gann of Stater Bros. and Jeffrey McLellan of QSI Produce are new to the board.
Other members on the board of directors are:
- Nancy Betancourt, Vision Produce Co.
- Mark Carroll
- Mike Casazza, FreshSource LLC
- Greg Corrigan, Raley's Supermarkets
- Kelly Craner, B&C Fresh Sales
- Rick Cruz, Pavilions
- Allen Demo, Frieda's Specialty Produce
- Miguel Garcia, Food 4 Less
- Scott Leimkuhler, Progressive Produce LLC
- Brad Martin, Perimeter Sales & Marketing
- Liane Mast, Stater Bros. Markets
- Sean McClure, Ready Pac Foods
- Kristen Reid, MIXTEC Group
- Rich Van Valkenburg, Van Valkenburg & Associates
- Bob Waldusky, Fresh Gourmet Co. LLC.
The 2017 FPFC Apprentice Program participants who graduated Jan. 27 are:
- Blair Butterworth, Grimmway Farms
- Baltazar Garcia, Pete's Living Greens
- David Guzman, Family Tree Produce
- Gabriel Hilbert, Consolidated West Distribution
- Alex Kim, Robinson Fresh
- Jim Leach, The Oppenheimer Group
- Eunice Pasos, Charlie's Produce
- Ivette Radillo, Westlake Produce Co.
- Valerie Rangel, Frieda's Specialty Produce
- Johannah Rosario, Ready Pac
- Jerry Stutz, Pura Vida Farms LLC