After 12 years with FFVA, Gilmer moving on
After 12 years with FFVA, Gilmer moving on
Leaving the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association to move up the next step in his career ladder is bittersweet for Ray Gilmer, who has worked for the Maitland-based association for the past 12 years, most recently as public affairs director.
Mr. Gilmer has accepted a new position as communications manager for BASF's agricultural products division, and will start his new job in October. The position with BASF also means that Mr. Gilmer will relocate to Research Triangle Park, NC, where the BASF facility is located.
"It has been enormously gratifying to work with the FFVA membership during the past years," Mr. Gilmer told The Produce News. "They are highly proficient business people who have a remarkable ability to roll with the punches that the produce industry continually faces. They are a resilient group of people who are dedicated to what they do and to each other."
Mr. Gilmer joined the FFVA shortly after the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect, and subsequently got a fast-and-furious lesson in international trade.
Mr. Gilmer was originally hired as FFVA's director of public relations, but his growing involvement in government affairs prompted a title change about five years ago.
"During my tenure, we have faced farm bill labeling issues, hurricane damage, labor problems and so much more," said Mr. Gilmer. "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn my way around Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, but I feel equally lucky to have been able to visit many farms and get to know the people who are dedicated to producing food. They enabled me to learn first hand about their concerns and challenges as well as their rewarding moments."
When working with the media, Mr. Gilmer said that he always tried to expound on the fact that growers take many steps to do things right. "The positive aspects, however, are often shadowed by those that attempt to place farming in a negative light," he said. "It has been my privilege and my pleasure to work with these great people, and to support them to my best ability."
Mr. Gilmer will remain with the FFVA through the end of September, and so will be present at the association's convention Sept. 17-19 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL.
Mr. Gilmer has accepted a new position as communications manager for BASF's agricultural products division, and will start his new job in October. The position with BASF also means that Mr. Gilmer will relocate to Research Triangle Park, NC, where the BASF facility is located.
"It has been enormously gratifying to work with the FFVA membership during the past years," Mr. Gilmer told The Produce News. "They are highly proficient business people who have a remarkable ability to roll with the punches that the produce industry continually faces. They are a resilient group of people who are dedicated to what they do and to each other."
Mr. Gilmer joined the FFVA shortly after the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect, and subsequently got a fast-and-furious lesson in international trade.
Mr. Gilmer was originally hired as FFVA's director of public relations, but his growing involvement in government affairs prompted a title change about five years ago.
"During my tenure, we have faced farm bill labeling issues, hurricane damage, labor problems and so much more," said Mr. Gilmer. "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn my way around Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, but I feel equally lucky to have been able to visit many farms and get to know the people who are dedicated to producing food. They enabled me to learn first hand about their concerns and challenges as well as their rewarding moments."
When working with the media, Mr. Gilmer said that he always tried to expound on the fact that growers take many steps to do things right. "The positive aspects, however, are often shadowed by those that attempt to place farming in a negative light," he said. "It has been my privilege and my pleasure to work with these great people, and to support them to my best ability."
Mr. Gilmer will remain with the FFVA through the end of September, and so will be present at the association's convention Sept. 17-19 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL.
