2012 CLFP Annual Meeting Recap

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The Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara, served as the location of CLFP’s Annual Board of Directors’ Meeting which took place April 26 & 27, 2012. Over sixty attendees joined in social and business activities. Chair Doug Burroughs presided over the event and was recognized for his strong support for the League.

This year’s annual meeting was the 54th year that CLFP has been to the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara. The CLFP Board met continuously at the Biltmore from 1950 to 1996 (47 years) for its annual meeting before going to a biennial schedule at the popular Santa Barbara, California resort.

During the Board of Directors meeting the following officers were elected:

2012-2013 Chair
Tracy Mihas, Kraft Foods

First Vice Chair
Vaughn Koligian, Sun-Maid Growers of California

Second Vice Chair
Dan Sroufe, Pacific Coast Producers

Elected to serve two-year terms on the Executive Committee (2012-2014):
Greg Estep, Olam Spices & Vegetable Ingredients; Burt Fleischer, Hilmar Cheese Co.; Dave Johnson, J.G. Boswell Tomato Co.; Scott Ruffe, H.J. Heinz Co.; Pat Coe, ConAgra Foods; Janet Edwards, Musco Family Olive Co.

Serving the remainder of a 2011-2013 term on the Executive Committee:
P.J Mecozzi, Del Mar Food Products; Randy Rickert, Unilever Supply Chain, Inc.; Ann Hall, Kagome, Inc; Chris Rufer, The Morning Star Packing Co.; Farrell Hirsch, GFF, Inc.

CLFP appreciates the time and effort that these members devote to serving the association and the industry.

Ed Yates, who has worked for CLFP since 1974, and has served as President and CEO since 2004, announced his intention to retire at the Annual Meeting. Yates will continue to serve as President Emeritus and will be responsible for several key policy initiatives and assisting the new CLFP President and CEO with the transition. He began his career with CLFP as Manager of Technical Affairs, was elected Vice President in 1980, was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1991 and served in several other officer positions during his tenure. CLFP’s Board of Directors greatly appreciates Yates’ many years of dedicated service to the association. He has been a very effective advocate for the industry with a long list of impressive accomplishments over the last 38 years. To complete the transition, the CLFP Board of Directors elected Senior Vice President Rob Neenan to serve as the new President and CEO of the organization. Neenan began working for CLFP in 2005 and has been managing a wide range of policy issues.

At the general session, presentations were made by Dr. Michael McCarthy, Chairman of the Food Science & Technology Department, UC Davis, and Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka, President & CEO, Produce for Better Health Foundation. Dr. McCarthy provided an update regarding research and teaching initiatives at the university. Dr. Pivonka discussed how the foundation is researching food consumption trends and expanding its efforts to promote the consumption of all forms of fruits and vegetables. Following the presentations, the group relaxed with golf and horseback riding outings.

The 2013 CLFP Annual meeting will be held April 25-26 at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. We hope to see you there!

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