The Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association (PAIA) has announced that Gary Meadows, sales director at Progressive Produce, has been appointed as its new West Coast co-chairman.
“The co-chairmen help guide the association in our efforts to facilitate asparagus trade and evolve the asparagus category as a whole,” said the association’s coordinator, Priscilla Lleras.
Meadows replaces Brian Miller, formerly of Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading, who has just been appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing at Mission Produce. The East Coast co-chair is held by Walter Yager of Miami-based Alpine Fresh.
Meadows has been at Progressive Produce for 10 years, when the company first entered the asparagus business. Since then, Progressive, along with partner company Keystone Fruit Marketing, have become international players in the US asparagus deal.
“Gary has been very instrumental in the growth of our business and has worked tirelessly to bring success to this part of the business,” said Progressive’s president Jim Leimkuhler.
PAIA said its main focus in 2015 would be “on spreading the positive word to industry trade press, supermarkets and consumers concerning the benefits of fresh asparagus through articles, advertisements, direct-communication, and trade show participation.”
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