Dennis Gertmenian, the founder and chairman of the board of Ready Pac, has returned as its chief executive officer, a position he left almost three years ago.

Mr. Gertmenian told The Produce News that he is once again in this position simply because he was elected to the position by the Ready Pac board of directors. "The board felt that I was the best person to lead the company to the next level," he said.

From 2 million to 6 million Florida-produced oranges may remain on citrus trees in the state in the coming year because of the current labor situation, according to Liz Compton, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. "It looks as though it could be a very tight situation as we head into the 2005-06 season."

MONTEREY, CA -- In taking stock of the effectiveness of the Produce Marketing Association at its foodservice expo's 25-year mark, PMA President Bryan Silbermann said that the organization is enjoying record membership, event attendance and hits to its web site.

PMA's "Heart and Soul" campaign has been effective and resonates with PMA's members, Mr. Silbermann said. The campaign "emphasizes the fact that in this business, people matter a lot more," he said.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, here, was expected to sign an agreement July 19 to access property key to building a new Philadelphia fresh produce market.

Robert Blackburn, executive deputy director of the authority, told The Produce News July 18 that this deal is a critical component to making the new produce market a reality. The authority will be the landlord for the new produce market.

KENNEWICK, WA -- A freak hailstorm that hopscotched around the fruit- growing region of Peshastin, Dryden, Chelan and Manson in eastern Washington on July 5 might have knocked more than 1 million boxes of pears -- roughly 6 percent of the Northwest's crop -- out of production this year.

Lyn Hughes, who for the past three-and-a-half years has boosted the "Birds Eye Fresh" brand in the produce industry with the development of licensing agreements for a number of commodities, has left that company for a position as senior director of sales and marketing for Salyer American, based in Salinas, CA, effective Aug. 1.

In her new role at Salyer American, Ms. Hughes will assist in identifying and developing new business opportunities as well as spearheading new product development and packaging innovation.