Robert Whitaker named chief scientific officer at PMA
Robert Whitaker named chief scientific officer at PMA
The Produce Marketing Association, based in Newark, DE, has named Robert Whitaker, one of the produce industry's more respected scientists, as its first chief scientific officer. Dr. Whitaker will direct the creation of PMA's new science-based programs and services at a time when food safety, traceability, sustainability and other science-based issues are moving to the forefront in the produce industry.
Dr. Whitaker, who has worked in the produce and agricultural industries since 1982, has an extensive and multi-faceted background that includes food safety, security and quality, new product development, product and process innovation, production, operations, research ranging from consumer testing to plant breeding, grower and industry outreach, and planning and training.
"We created this position as an investment in the future, so we are naturally thrilled to have Bob help create and implement the critical programs, not just in food safety but also in a range of other science and technology areas that will fundamentally change this business in the years to come," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a press release. "His expertise in science and innovation will help strengthen the entire global supply chain."
Dr. Whitaker comes to PMA from NewStar Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, where he served as vice president of product development and innovation. He previously served as president of NewStar's value-added salad production company, MissionStar Processing LLC, and has held vice president positions in charge of product development and food safety, value-added operations and research and development, and product quality and development.
"Bob has the rare combination of a brilliant scientific mind and feet firmly planted in the field, packinghouse or processing facility -- he knows how to transfer sound science into business practices that make sense," PMA Chairman Bruce Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Taylor Farms Inc. in Salinas, CA, said in the press release. "He brings the diverse and unusual skill set that the PMA board had in mind when we charted the course for the association to take a leadership position on food safety and the other science issues on the horizon, including sustainability."
Among Dr. Whitaker's recent credentials are helping to develop Good Agricultural Practices metrics for the leafy greens industry's return to market after foodborne illness outbreaks in fall 2006, and serving on the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement's technical committee. He has also developed corporate biosecurity programs and comprehensive food-safety programs, including state-of-the-art hazard analysis critical control point systems, developed multi-year modernization plans for processing facilities, and identified new technologies to provide competitive advantages in processing, packaging and production.
He has testified before both houses of Congress as an expert witness on produce food safety in the last two years, and received the International Fresh-cut Produce Association's Technical Achievement Award in 2006. He also served as the chairman of IFPA's board that same year. He sits on the executive committee and the advisory board for the new Center for Produce Safety at the University of California-Davis and has served on the board of directors of United Fresh Produce Association.
"I was drawn to PMA because its position as a global leader offers a great platform from which to guide our industry through the challenges that lie ahead in food safety and the incorporation of new technologies into our businesses," Dr. Whitaker said in the press release. "NewStar ... is a wonderful company and I wish them well moving forward, and look forward to serving them as PMA's staff."
"Bob's experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset for produce buyers and sellers alike," PMA Chairman-elect David Corsi, vice president of produce and floral operations for Wegmans Food & Pharmacy Inc. in Rochester, NY, added in the press release. "He can help all the links in the supply chain make collective decisions based on sound science rather than best guesses so that the industry can move forward together and at the speed we need."
Prior to joining NewStar, Dr. Whitaker held senior management positions in product development and research and development for FreshWorld/DNAP in Oakland, CA. He was an adjunct professor at the department of botany and plant physiology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He earned doctorate and bachelor's degrees in biology from the State University of New York in Binghamton, NY.
Dr. Whitaker will assume his position with PMA April 1. He will initially be based in California.
Dr. Whitaker, who has worked in the produce and agricultural industries since 1982, has an extensive and multi-faceted background that includes food safety, security and quality, new product development, product and process innovation, production, operations, research ranging from consumer testing to plant breeding, grower and industry outreach, and planning and training.
"We created this position as an investment in the future, so we are naturally thrilled to have Bob help create and implement the critical programs, not just in food safety but also in a range of other science and technology areas that will fundamentally change this business in the years to come," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a press release. "His expertise in science and innovation will help strengthen the entire global supply chain."
Dr. Whitaker comes to PMA from NewStar Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, where he served as vice president of product development and innovation. He previously served as president of NewStar's value-added salad production company, MissionStar Processing LLC, and has held vice president positions in charge of product development and food safety, value-added operations and research and development, and product quality and development.
"Bob has the rare combination of a brilliant scientific mind and feet firmly planted in the field, packinghouse or processing facility -- he knows how to transfer sound science into business practices that make sense," PMA Chairman Bruce Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Taylor Farms Inc. in Salinas, CA, said in the press release. "He brings the diverse and unusual skill set that the PMA board had in mind when we charted the course for the association to take a leadership position on food safety and the other science issues on the horizon, including sustainability."
Among Dr. Whitaker's recent credentials are helping to develop Good Agricultural Practices metrics for the leafy greens industry's return to market after foodborne illness outbreaks in fall 2006, and serving on the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement's technical committee. He has also developed corporate biosecurity programs and comprehensive food-safety programs, including state-of-the-art hazard analysis critical control point systems, developed multi-year modernization plans for processing facilities, and identified new technologies to provide competitive advantages in processing, packaging and production.
He has testified before both houses of Congress as an expert witness on produce food safety in the last two years, and received the International Fresh-cut Produce Association's Technical Achievement Award in 2006. He also served as the chairman of IFPA's board that same year. He sits on the executive committee and the advisory board for the new Center for Produce Safety at the University of California-Davis and has served on the board of directors of United Fresh Produce Association.
"I was drawn to PMA because its position as a global leader offers a great platform from which to guide our industry through the challenges that lie ahead in food safety and the incorporation of new technologies into our businesses," Dr. Whitaker said in the press release. "NewStar ... is a wonderful company and I wish them well moving forward, and look forward to serving them as PMA's staff."
"Bob's experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset for produce buyers and sellers alike," PMA Chairman-elect David Corsi, vice president of produce and floral operations for Wegmans Food & Pharmacy Inc. in Rochester, NY, added in the press release. "He can help all the links in the supply chain make collective decisions based on sound science rather than best guesses so that the industry can move forward together and at the speed we need."
Prior to joining NewStar, Dr. Whitaker held senior management positions in product development and research and development for FreshWorld/DNAP in Oakland, CA. He was an adjunct professor at the department of botany and plant physiology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He earned doctorate and bachelor's degrees in biology from the State University of New York in Binghamton, NY.
Dr. Whitaker will assume his position with PMA April 1. He will initially be based in California.
