Sep 4, 2025

IFPA announces 2026 board of directors

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced new officers and directors for the 2026 IFPA board of directors. 

The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and begin its board service at the 2025 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, scheduled for Oct. 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 Holdings. Current board chair Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, will assume the role of past board chair. 

Joining the executive committee are these individuals:

• Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms in Immokalee, Florida, 2026 chair-elect 
• Mohammed Abbas, Del Monte Fresh Produce, treasurer 
• Steve Grinstead, FreshEdge, at-large executive committee member and incoming U.S. council chair 
• Adriëlle Dankier, CEO of Nature’s Pride, at-large executive committee member and incoming sustainability council chair   

“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,” Vizzone said in a news release. “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.” 

Other board members appointed:    

• Jim DiMenna, president, Red Sun Farms 
• Nicolas Moller, chairman, Hortifrut 
• Bernado Calvo, CEO, Sun World International

Board directors completing their service in Anaheim include:  

• Aribel Aguirre Beck, CFO/CAO, Naturipe Farms  
• John Anderson, Chairman, CEO & Managing Partner, The Oppenheimer Group 
• Bret Erickson, Executive Vice President, Little Bear Produce 
• Dwight Ferguson, Board of Directors, Nourse Farms  
• Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. 
• Jennifer Pulcipher, Director of Food Safety & Compliance, North Bay Produce  

Read more about the appointments in IFPA’s news release.