Silbermann to retire from PMA; Burns to take helm in 2017

In an e-mail to members of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), CEO Bryan Silbermann announced his intention to retire on Jan. 31, 2017 and be replaced by PMA President Cathy Burns.

Starting January 1, 2016, Burns will oversee day-to-day operations of the association. Silbermann said he would continue as CEO and work with Burns until Jan. 1, 2017, when she will assume the role of CEO.

During the course of 2016, Silbermann will focus his attention on these areas:

• Representing PMA at the association’s worldwide events
• Meeting with members one-on-one to help them get the most value from their membership
• Working with Center for Produce Safety Executive Director Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli to firmly establish its new governance processes and complete fundraising for the Campaign for Produce Safety 
• Working on collaborative initiatives with United Fresh Produce Association and others
• Updating a history of PMA to help capture the institutional knowledge of long-time staff and volunteer leaders

In addition to overseeing PMA’s day-to-day operations throughout 2016, Burns will be focused on:

• Leading the organization’s performance against benchmarks outlined in PMA’s strategic plan 2.0
• Serving as the primary contact between the board of directors and staff
• Leading PMA’s long-term growth and staff development to ensure the association continues to provide year-round, personalized value to members and industry

“I never imagined when I joined PMA in 1983 that I would be looking back 33 years later at a career that has given me so much satisfaction and room to grow,” Silbermann said. “What I thought would be a three-year gig ran more than ten times as long! That’s a tribute both to the welcoming nature of the people who make up this great industry, and to the staff family, which makes up this world-class association. I can’t wait to see how we grow in the next year and the decades ahead – because helping to grow businesses is what PMA does best.”