The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the slate of new officers and directors for its 2027 board of directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin their board service at the 2026 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 14-16 in Orlando, Florida.
The board is guided by the executive committee, which will be led in 2027 by current Chair-Elect Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms. Current Board Chair Patrick Vizzone, founder and managing partner of AgroNovare, will assume the role of immediate past board chair. During the show, Lipman and Vizzone will share reflections on year two of IFPA’s strategic plan, highlighting key milestones reached on behalf of members across the worldwide produce and floral community.
“It is a true honor to step into the role of IFPA Board Chair at a time when our industry’s purpose has never been more clear or more important,” Lipman said. “Every day, the fresh produce and floral community helps nourish families, bring beauty and joy to people around the world, strengthen economies and advance a more sustainable tomorrow.
“IFPA’s mission is to help this extraordinary industry go even further, by removing barriers, elevating our voice through advocacy, sharing the insights that help businesses grow and bringing our global community together around the challenges and opportunities we share,” she added.
Lipman and Vizzone are joined on the executive committee by:
- Chair-Elect: Mohammed Abbas, president and COO of Del Monte Corporation;
- Board Treasurer: Mark Campion, president of retail for Taylor Farms;
- Board Secretary and Sustainability Council Chair: Adrielle Dankier, CEO of Nature’s Pride; and
- At-large executive committee member and U.S. Council Chair: Steve Grinstead, executive chairman of FreshEdge.
New board members
The 2027 slate includes council chairs Luiz Roberto Barcelos, partner director of Agricola Famosa Ltd. (Brazil); Marc Evrard, director of Belgian Fruit Valley (Europe); Inés Masallach, chief marketing officer of Imalinx (Mexico); Michael Laws, managing partner of Laws Logistics (supply chain); and Laura Himes, VP of global sourcing – produce at Walmart, who will chair the Foundation for Fresh Produce.
At-large representatives include several retail leaders:
- Kevin Doty, director of produce at Whole Foods Market;
- Kim Gray, chief merchant at Schnuck Markets Inc.
- Liz Van Niekerk, head of trade, produce and floral, at Marks & Spencer.
The retailer representatives are joined by Tracy Duda Chapman, SVP and chief legal and administrative officer of A. Duda & Sons Inc.; Eric Fernandez, general manager of Continental Flowers; Stefanie Katzman, CEO of Katzman; and Sheila McCann-Morrison, chief supply officer of Fyffes International.
Rotating off the board
Directors completing their service in Orlando include Anna Lopez, VP of produce, bakery and blooms at H-E-B; Ruth McLennan, managing director of Market District and fresh merchandising at Giant Eagle; Chip Walker, president and CEO of SSi LLC/Pro*Act; Steve Alaerts of foodcareplus; Hein Deprez of Greenyard; Elliott Grant of Cambridge University; Alex Lee of Speciale Comercio de Alimentos; Lam Lin of Joy Wing Mau Group; Adelina Metovieda of Zeliotech; Bas Pellenaars of Dümmen Orange; and Rodolfo Spielmann.
Six continents are represented on the IFPA board. The association represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain.