United Fresh Makes Sustainable Addition

United Fresh Produce Association announced that Rob Neenan, currently vice president, government affairs, at the California League of Food Processors in Sacramento, CA, will join the association as vice president, environmental affairs and sustainability.

“Rob will be an excellent leader to help develop and grow our Foundation’s new Center for Global Produce Sustainability, which was established last year through a founding grant from Bayer CropScience,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel.

Neenan has been in his current position since 2005, where he is responsible for analyzing environmental, energy, food safety, and other issues affecting the fruit and vegetable processing industry in California. He also organized the League’s member committee on sustainability, developing resources and strategies for addressing climate change and other challenges.

He previously served as director of trade services at the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, Fresno, CA, from 1997-2005. At the CGTFL he was responsible for USDA and CDFA fresh fruit inspection standards, state and federal marketing regulations, and FDA labeling requirements. He also managed the industry program to export stone fruit to Mexico in compliance with Mexican import phytosanitary regulations, coordinated trade negotiations with the U.S. and Mexican governments, and provided compliance information to farmers and pest control advisors.

Prior to his California career, Neenan served as a economist in the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Washington, D.C. from 1987-1997. At USDA he monitored proposed changes in transportation regulations and assessed the potential impact on agriculture; provided technical assistance and market information to agricultural shippers; and participated in USDA trade missions to Guatemala, Costa Rica, China, and Russia.

Neenan joins United Fresh March 1 and will be based at United’s offices in Washington, DC. He will help lead the association’s first Global Conference on Produce Sustainability on April 23, immediately following its annual convention April 20-22 in Las Vegas. For more information about the conference or annual convention, please visit www.unitedfresh2010.org.