The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has announced key personnel changes and additions following a reorganisation of its staff to help implement the US trade association’s strategic plan.
The plan calls for PMA to align itself to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and global industry.
Lorna Christie has been promoted to executive vice-president and chief operating officer, with the responsibility of managing PMA’s member service and administrative functions. Christie joined PMA in 2002 with extensive association, government and corporate experience.
Duane Eaton will manage the association’s support services as senior vice-president of administration, while Tony Parassio has been promoted to senior vice-president of member value.
Two promotions have also been made to strengthen PMA’s events teams. Kent Allaway is now vice-president of meetings and trade show logistics and Eboni Wall has been named senior director of events.
Bill Schuler, chairman of the PMA Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Castellini Company LLC, Wilder, Ky., added: “Bryan Silbermann and his team have realigned resources to match our strategic needs without adding to our staff head count. At a time when our members are watching their own expenses carefully and are relying even more on the association for help, PMA’s management has used a highly disciplined approach to focus on adding targeted skills where they are most needed while eliminating areas that are less valuable.”
PMA’s events include the annual Leadership Symposium, Fresh Summit and Foodservice Conference, as well as the association’s regional Fresh Connections events.
