Alicia Bon Martin named chairwoman of FPAA
Alicia Bon Martin named chairwoman of FPAA
NOGALES, AZ -- Alicia Bon Martin of Wilson-Batiz LLC was elected chairwoman of the board of directors of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here, at the organization's annual meeting on Thursday, May 11. Ms. Bon Martin, who has been serving as vice chairwoman of the FPAA board of directors, is the first woman to chair the organization in its 60-year history. She will serve a two-year term.
William Sykes of The Sykes Co., also in Nogales, who previously held the office of chairman, is now chairman emeritus, a new position. Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Bros. was named vice chairman.
Under a newly adopted policy, an elected vice chairman will serve two years in that position, then serve as chairman for two years, followed by two years as chairman emeritus, for a total six-year commitment.
Ms. Bon Martin told The Produce News that one major area of focus for the association over the next few years will be to increase membership, particularly by bringing in members from states other than Arizona - particularly California and Arizona, which are also crossing points for produce imported from Mexico. Membership is open to "anybody that is importing product from Mexico," she said. "There is strength in numbers, and we all really share the same dilemmas when there is a situation on the border. It doesn't really matter where you are on the border."
Another key focus will be "for us to continue to make efforts" to expedite the movement through various checkpoints of "northbound trucks coming out of Mexico to the United States," she said. The FPAA is working with Mexican government agencies to find ways to make the checkpoints more efficient. "This year, we were experiencing anywhere from 12 to 16 hours additional transportation time just because of the checkpoints," she said. "That is a huge barrier for us, one that we hope to overcome quickly," in order to move the product from the growing areas "across the border in a more efficient manner."
The infrastructure at the Mariposa Port of Entry, the main crossing point for the commercial trucks in Nogales, is also a "big concern," she said. The current structure is not equipped to handle "the amount of trucks that come through here. We need a quicker process," which will require an improved infrastructure.
The association will be continuing its promotional activities, "and if anything we want to increase them," Ms. Bon Martin said. With the "support, help and advice" of Veronica Kraushaar of VMS LLC, a marketing company representing FPAA, "we are going to continue to expand on those promotional activities," she said.
"I think the association has really grown stronger over time," Ms. Bon Martin said. FPAA is developing stronger ties with grower groups in Mexico such as CAADES, a growers association in the state of Sinaloa. They and the U.S. marketing companies that are members of FPAA both realize the importance of working together, she said.
William Sykes of The Sykes Co., also in Nogales, who previously held the office of chairman, is now chairman emeritus, a new position. Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Bros. was named vice chairman.
Under a newly adopted policy, an elected vice chairman will serve two years in that position, then serve as chairman for two years, followed by two years as chairman emeritus, for a total six-year commitment.
Ms. Bon Martin told The Produce News that one major area of focus for the association over the next few years will be to increase membership, particularly by bringing in members from states other than Arizona - particularly California and Arizona, which are also crossing points for produce imported from Mexico. Membership is open to "anybody that is importing product from Mexico," she said. "There is strength in numbers, and we all really share the same dilemmas when there is a situation on the border. It doesn't really matter where you are on the border."
Another key focus will be "for us to continue to make efforts" to expedite the movement through various checkpoints of "northbound trucks coming out of Mexico to the United States," she said. The FPAA is working with Mexican government agencies to find ways to make the checkpoints more efficient. "This year, we were experiencing anywhere from 12 to 16 hours additional transportation time just because of the checkpoints," she said. "That is a huge barrier for us, one that we hope to overcome quickly," in order to move the product from the growing areas "across the border in a more efficient manner."
The infrastructure at the Mariposa Port of Entry, the main crossing point for the commercial trucks in Nogales, is also a "big concern," she said. The current structure is not equipped to handle "the amount of trucks that come through here. We need a quicker process," which will require an improved infrastructure.
The association will be continuing its promotional activities, "and if anything we want to increase them," Ms. Bon Martin said. With the "support, help and advice" of Veronica Kraushaar of VMS LLC, a marketing company representing FPAA, "we are going to continue to expand on those promotional activities," she said.
"I think the association has really grown stronger over time," Ms. Bon Martin said. FPAA is developing stronger ties with grower groups in Mexico such as CAADES, a growers association in the state of Sinaloa. They and the U.S. marketing companies that are members of FPAA both realize the importance of working together, she said.
