WASHINGTON, DC, & NEWARK, DE - The merger between the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will be an impactful one across the industry. As we await further details of this landmark announcement, PMA CEO Cathy Burns and United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel recently named seven of the organizations’ current staff leaders as the senior management team for the new combined association.

“We’ve looked at where we most want to invest in maximizing member value in the new association and created a staff organizational structure to fulfill that objective,” said Burns and Stenzel in a joint statement. “Each of the following individuals will serve as department leads working with their teams to plan our overall strategies and execute programs and services to serve our members.”

According to a press release, the new association will be launched January 1, 2022. At that time, Dr. Yvonne Bull, who is currently Chief Financial Officer at PMA, will continue in her role once the new association is officially formed. She will be leading finance, human resources, and IT functions in this position.

Another continuing PMA leader is Doug Bohr, the current Executive Director of the Center for Growing Talent, who will serve as Chief Education and Programs Officer. He will lead all education and business development programs, including in-person conferences and events, and online training. Bohr will also continue to provide leadership for the talent-focused non-profit arm.

Robert Guenther, currently Senior Vice President of Public Policy at United Fresh, will serve as Chief Public Policy Officer. In addition, the new combined association will invest in two new positions within Guenther’s team to increase the association’s commitment to U.S. government relations and grassroots advocacy.

Also from United, Dr. Jennifer McEntire, currently Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Technology, will serve as Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs Officer. She will lead all food safety programs and interaction with regulatory officials globally. In addition, a new position will be created to expand the new association’s depth in microbiology.

Lauren Scott, currently Chief Strategy and Membership Officer at PMA, will serve as the new association’s Chief Strategy Officer, leading global research and insights, marketing, public relations and communications, and demand creation activities. Her duties will also include overseeing the new consumer-facing not-for-profit foundation.

Dr. Max Teplitski, who is currently Chief Science Officer at PMA, will retain the same title and will be leading basic science, technology, sustainability, and supply chain standards and traceability. In addition, the new association will reportedly be investing in a new position devoted to enhancing the combined powers’ depth in sustainability.

Last, but certainly not least, Miriam Wolk, currently Vice President of Member Services at United Fresh, will serve as Chief Membership Officer. In her role with the new combined association, Wolk will lead all aspects of membership recruitment, retention, engagement, and volunteer engagement globally.

“These outstanding leaders will bring their experience and insights from each organization to ensure we are better together,” said Burns and Stenzel. “We have also now positioned staff teams for positions in the combined association and are beginning the complex work of blending programs and services to provide maximum value to our members. We will continue to provide updates of programs and services for 2022 as our work progresses.”

Congratulations to all of these distinguished leaders!

United Fresh Produce Association Produce Marketing Association