ORLANDO, FL - National Mango Board (NMB) has some new blood in its ranks after six new appointments made by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom J. Vilsack.

“The leadership that these members have provided has made a positive impact and will shape the future of the NMB and the mango industry for years to come,” explained Manuel Michel, Executive Director of the NMB, in a statement. “We also want to welcome the newly appointed board members and look forward to their contribution of ideas and dialogue. The sharing of knowledge and exchange of ideas is what strengthens the NMB programs and ultimately has a lasting influence on the mango industry.”

The six appointees, which include five new members and one returning member, consist of the following:

• First handler Patrick F. Dueire of New Castle, DE
• Importer Michael B. Warren of Parkland, FL
• Importer Susan Underwood of Saint Petersburg, FL
• Importer Sergio Palala of San Carlos, CA
• Foreign Producer Tomas Paulin Quezada of Colima, Mexico (returning member)
• Foreign Producer Jacqueline Abuhayar of Guayaquil, Ecuador

According to a press release, new members will serve three-year terms beginning immediately upon appointment and ending on December 31, 2018; with the exception of new importer from district III whose term will end December 31, 2016.

In a statement, NMB thanked each exiting member who had completed their term on the board. The exiting members are:

• Danny Pollack, Chairman, of Sea Girt, NJ, who will serve one year on the Executive Committee as an Ex-Officio
• Ronnie Cohen of River Edge, NJ
• Mariana Gonzalez of Hidalgo, TX 
• Eddy Martinez of Guatemala City, Guatemala 
• Jean Sapp of Lehigh Acres, FL
• Bill Vogel of Los Angeles, CA, who was serving one year as Ex-Officio

For more on the National Mango Board and its members, visit www.Mango.org.

National Mango Board