PAIA's new West Coast co-chairman
PAIA's new West Coast co-chairman
The Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association announced its new West Coast co-chairman, Gary Meadows, who is director of sales at Progressive Produce. 
“The PAIA co-chairmen help guide the association in our efforts to facilitate asparagus trade and evolve the asparagus category as a whole,” Priscilla Lleras, coordinator for the Peruvian Asparagus Importer's Association, said in a press release.
Nearly 10 years ago, the owners of Progressive decided to enter the fresh asparagus business and Meadows was hired as sales manager to begin that endeavor. Since that time, Progressive and partner company Keystone Fruit Marketing have become international players in the U.S. 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,” Progressive President Jim Leimkuhler said in the press release.
PAIA previously announced Brian Miller of Gourmet Trading as the West Coast co-chairman for the 2014-15 term. “Since Brian has been newly announced as Mission Produce’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, PAIA has warmly wished him much success in his new position,” said Walter Yager of Alpine Fresh East Coast co-chairman of PAIA.
Yager will be serving the remainder of his 2014-15 term as East Coast co-chair.
The association said it will focus even greater efforts in 2015 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. The association anticipates increasing consumption and demand for fresh asparagus in 2015.
