The US-based International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced that co-CEO Cathy Burns will become its singular chief executive effective 31 March.
Tom Stenzel, currently Co-CEO and past President of United Fresh, will move into a consulting role, working closely with Burns through June 2022.
The IFPA was formed by the combination of United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA).
“When I first joined PMA, I spent time with Tom exploring opportunities for our then-respective associations to collaborate and bring greater value and voice to our industry,' said Burns. 'I saw his passion about the potential our community has in addressing the world’s biggest challenges, and this was definitely confirmed over the past 18 months as we partnered with volunteers to bring PMA and United Fresh together officially.
“Tom is a highly skilled and impactful executive who has spent almost three decades serving the fresh produce industry and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him,' she continued. 'Serving IFPA with him has been a true partnership and I look forward to continued collaboration as he has agreed to stay on as an advisor and counsel to the IFPA team through the end of June.”
During the coming months, Burns and Stenzel will work together to make the most effective transition, reaching out to stakeholders in government, the media and global partners in and outside of the produce and floral industries.
“I’m pleased to begin this new consulting role to assist Cathy and IFPA, and will do everything I can to support our future success,' said Stenzel. 'At the same time, I’m excited to begin a new career phase helping additional clients in our great industry drive their own success.
“Bringing together UFPA and PMA to better serve our industry has been a long-time goal and is a legacy that makes me very proud,' he added. 'With a strong platform now in place, I truly believe it’s time for Cathy to lead our new association to ever greater heights.”
