The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced the slate of new officers and directors for the 2026 IFPA Board of Directors. These volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin their board service at the 2025 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, October 16-18, in Anaheim, California.
The Board is guided by the Executive Committee, which will be led in 2026 by current chair-elect Patrick Vizzone, founder/managing partner of AgroNovare. Current Board chair Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, will assume the role of Past Board chair. During the show, the two will share their reflections on year one of IFPA's strategic plan, announced in October 2024, among other topics.
Joining the Executive Committee are 2026 chair-elect Elyse Lipman, CEO, Lipman Family Farms; treasurer Mohammed Abbas, EVP & COO, Del Monte Fresh Produce; at-large Executive Committee member and incoming US Council chair Steve Grinstead, CEO, FreshEdge, and at-large Executive Committee member and incoming Sustainability Council chair Adriëlle Dankier, CEO, Nature's Pride.
"The fresh produce and floral industry makes a vital contribution to health, sustainability, and economic growth. Yet barriers remain that limit our industry's potential. Removing those barriers is central to IFPA's mission — whether through advocacy, delivering insights and market intelligence, or uniting our community to solve shared challenges," said Vizzone. "This work would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer leaders on the IFPA Board of Directors. It is an honour and a privilege to serve as chair in 2026, and I look forward to working with IFPA staff and this group to fight for fresh and deliver meaningful impact for our industry."
The Board slate for 2026 is:
- Australia-New Zealand Advisory Board chair: Dean Gall, COO, Premier Fresh Australia
- Food Safety Council chair: Jeff Priebe, vice president of quality assurance & food safety, Danaco Solutions
- Foundation for Fresh Produce chair: Jin Ju Wilder, vice president of marketing and business development, Vesta Foodservice
- South Africa Council chair: Adolf Kievet, managing director, FreshWorld
U.S. Council chair: Steve Grinstead, CEO, FreshEdge
At-Large representatives:
- Bernado Calvo, CEO, Sun World International
- Jim DiMenna, president, Red Sun Farms
- Nicolas Moller, chairman, Hortifrut
- Carlos Oramas, CEO, The Gems Group
- Shawn Peery, vice president of produce, Albertsons
© IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association)
IFPA's 2025 Board of Directors.
Board directors completing their service in Anaheim are:
- Aribel Aguirre Beck, CFO/CAO, Naturipe Farms, LLC
- John Anderson, chairman, CEO & managing partner, The Oppenheimer Group
- Richard Byllaardt, chairman, Citrus Australia
- Paulina Criticos, CEO, EMEA, Westfalia Fruit (Pty) Ltd
- Bret Erickson, executive vice president, Little Bear Produce
- Dwight Ferguson, Director, Nourse Farms
- Stefanie Katzman, CEO, Katzman
- Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
- Karen Nardozza, CEO, Moxxy Marketing
- Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO, RSA Group
- Jennifer Pulcipher, director of food safety & compliance, North Bay Produce
- John Simko, president & CEO, Sunshine Bouquet Company
For more information:
Ashley Sempowski
International Fresh Produce Association
[email protected]
https://www.freshproduce.com/
