IFPA Announces Board of Directors Slate for 2026

August 19, 2025

Washington, DC – 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 its board service at the 2025 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, October 16-18, in Anaheim, California.

The IFPA Board of Directors is guided by the Executive Committee, which will be led in 2026 by current Chair-Elect Patrick Vizzone, Founder and Managing Partner of AgroNovare. Current Board Chair Tammy DeBoer, President of Harris Teeter will assume the role of Past Board Chair. During the Global Produce & Floral Show, Vizzone and DeBoer 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 of 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 of Nature’s Pride.

“Across the globe, the fresh produce and floral industry makes a vital contribution to health, sustainability, and economic growth. Yet barriers remain that limit our industry’s full 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 2025 Chair-Elect Patrick 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 esteemed group to fight for fresh and deliver meaningful impact for our industry and the world.”

The new 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

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, President & CEO, 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

All six continents are represented with a strong diversity of sectors and business focus.

IFPA Announces Board of Directors Slate for 2026

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