VIENNA, VA " The U. S. Apple Association?s National Apple Month program has announced the winners of its fall 2004 NAM retail and military display contests, bringing the apple industry's fall generic apple promotion to a close.

Since her youth, Amy Gates, 28, has made a habit of quickly climbing through the ranks at the companies for which she works.

At 15 years old, Ms. Gates "took photographs for a white-water rafting company."

By 17, the company owner, who did not realize her young age, promoted her to office manager.

?They paid me really well, and it was seasonal, which worked out really well because I was in college? at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, earning her degree in agriculture business with a concentration in marketing.

Joseph A. Duda, president and CEO of A. Duda & Sons Inc., announced the appointment of Tracy Duda Chapman as corporate vice president of corporate services and general counsel. She will continue to serve as secretary for the corporation.

In her new position, Ms. Chapman, who is general counsel for the company, will have additional oversight responsibility for the company?s human resources, communications, governmental affairs and technical services departments.

Argentine garlic is a strong product in this new year, according to Paul Auerbach of Maurice A. Auerbach Inc. in South Hackensack, NJ.

Mr. Auerbach said that Argentine shippers start loading garlic in November and December each year, with the North American marketing season running from January through May. His firm has imported Argentine garlic for about 50 years.

?This season the quality looks good. I was in Chile and Argentina at the beginning of December to see the end of the harvest and the beginning of packing. The quality looks good."

Salinas, CA-based NewStar Fresh Foods has hired Steve Cagel as commodity manager for its celery program. Mr. Cagel will manage the celery program in addition to supporting the company?s expanded value-added product line.

Mr. Cagel comes to NewStar with a background in both produce and accounting. Most recently he was a salesman for Steinbeck Country Produce. In prior roles, he inspected produce for Cproduce.com and worked in the finance department for Tanimura & Antle. Mr. Cagel is recently married and lives in Soledad, just south of Salinas.