Mar 26, 2024Fryhover plans to retire from Washington Apple Commission
Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, plans to retire in November, after 18 years with the group.
He joined the commission in 2006 in a consultancy role and became president in December 2008. During his time with the apple commission, Fryhover has overseen the marketing efforts for Washington apple growers in 25 countries worldwide with a domestic staff of five and 13 international representatives.
Fryhover has traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, India, Central and South America, Mexico and the European Union. As barriers to trade have become more significant, and new varietal production has come online, the industry’s need to export has increased, making maintaining and expanding market access a key focal point during his tenure.
“The Washington Apple Commission’s success has been made possible by an amazing staff, a supportive board of directors and growers focused on providing the standard in high quality food safe fresh apples,” Fryhover said in a news release. “It has been my pleasure to serve Washington apple growers, and for that opportunity, I sincerely thank everyone I’ve encountered over my 18 years of service.”
Fryhover played a significant role in securing annual awards of more than $5 million in USDA Market Access Program funds and an additional $10 million from an Agricultural Trade Promotion grant program to promote Washington apples in international markets. Prior to his time with the commission, he worked for several apple packing companies in management, quality assurance, purchasing, inventory control, shipping, operations, domestic sales and for more than 15 years in international sales.
He has served on the Northwest Horticultural Council, U.S. Apple Association, World Apple and Pear Association, U.S. Agricultural Export Council boards and as an industry ambassador, presenting to hundreds of service organizations highlighting and educating on the positive aspects of the Washington apple industry. One of his biggest joys during his tenure with the Washington Apple Commission has been educating those unaware of the complexity of the industry, the hard work of Washington apple growers and the diversity of Washington’s varietal makeup.
“For the past 18 years, Todd has been an excellent advocate for the Washington apple industry,” Mark Stennes, chairman of the apple commission, said in the release. “His deep understanding of our industry, along with the relationships and trust built throughout his career, equipped him perfectly to promote our growers and products throughout the global markets.”
Fryhover and a search committee of commission board members are working with executive search firm MIXTEC Group, which specializes in the produce industry, to find a successor.
“We are thankful for the dedication and time he invested in growing our markets and protecting our Washington Apple brand worldwide,” Stennes said in the release. “It would be hard to overstate the impact of his four-decade career. We wish Todd the very best in his retirement.”