NEWARK, DE - On October 23, the Produce Marketing Association announced that Dr. Trevor Suslow, Vice President of Produce Safety, will step back from his full-time duties at the organization. He will remain with the association on a part-time basis while returning to UC Davis as an Emeritus Extension Research Specialist.

“My two years at PMA have been nothing short of intense involvement and engagement with a very different facet to providing support, service, and technical leadership to the most dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging food and supply-chain industry,” remarked Suslow. “I have learned a lot from an immersion in a different aspect of what I have done my whole career. I have been very impressed with the level of creativity, dedication, and passion found across all levels at PMA. This was a very personal decision. I feel very fortunate that I can remain involved as I move on to play a very similar role in both public engagement and private support interactions.”

Throughout his time with PMA, Suslow has been a key resource in identifying, designing, and delivering food safety values to the industry. In his new role, Suslow will continue to engage with members, providing personal, on the ground support and guidance around produce safety.

“Over the past two years, Trevor has been a phenomenal resource and representative for PMA and our members,” said CEO Cathy Burns. “He is always dedicated to following the science in his work and in his support of members. I’m grateful for his impact here at PMA and that he will continue to contribute to the industry in his new capacities.”

According to a press release, Suslow’s work in pre-harvest to post-harvest microbiology and technology has been instrumental in establishing both pragmatic and science-based solutions for the industry’s produce safety challenges.

His impact at PMA will be long-lasting, as his contributions to training, FreshEd Academy’s produce safety modules, and connections with multiple stakeholders will have continuous effects.

“This is an incredibly important time for produce safety,” said Chief Science Officer Max Teplitski. “As PMA works to grow a healthier world, increasing consumption of fresh produce is more urgent than ever, which means relentlessly pursuing solutions and innovations for enhancing our produce safety best practices is also more urgent than ever. While we will miss Trevor’s everyday presence here at PMA, I look forward to working with Trevor in his new capacity, both in PMA and at UC Davis.”

Suslow’s last day of full-time employment at PMA will be December 1, 2020. A search will begin to identify Suslow’s replacement in the coming weeks.

We here at AndNowUKnow wish Trevor all the best.

Produce Marketing Association