FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Moffitt, Pear Bureau Northwest President, Appointed Chairman
of U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council
PORTLAND , Ore. (December 9, 2009) — Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, has been named chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC). Moffitt was first elected by the USAEDC’s board of directors as an officer in 2005 with the position of secretary/treasurer, after having demonstrated his commitment to the membership by serving as the chair of the Electronics Communications Committee which was instrumental in the complete overhaul of the USAEDC website in 2003. In 2007 he assumed the role of vice chairman, and at the November 19, 2009 USAEDC board meeting, he was designated as chairman for a two-year term.
The USAEDC plays a crucial part in facilitating communications between its members, the majority of whom are Market Access Program participants, and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The Market Access Program encourages the development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial export markets for agricultural commodities. Activities financed by the program’s $200 million budget include consumer promotions, market research, technical assistance, and trade servicing.
“The members of this organization share a common goal of expanding U.S. agricultural exports, and I look forward to helping advance that mission by bridging communication between fellow members and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the USDA, and the Secretary of Agriculture,” Moffitt commented about the value of this appointment. “The USAEDC serves an important role in communicating with government decision-makers about key market development programs, including the Market Access Program (MAP), and how vital they are to the success of American agriculture.”
Kris Marceca, executive director of the U.S. Apple Export Council and past USAEDC executive committee member, offers her congratulations to Moffitt for his recent election as Chairman of the USAEDC. “I can’t think of anyone who would be more capable of acting as a bridge between all of the agricultural groups; not just from the produce industry, but spanning the entire gamut from the bulk commodities to processed products and everything in between.” In his new role as chairman, Moffitt will be representing the partnership between all of these groups and their growers, processors and exporters and the FAS with the joint goal of expanding market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products around the world. This position provides opportunities to interact with the highest levels of the Foreign Agricultural Service and raises the awareness of USA Pears among the decision-makers at the USDA.
Marceca notes, “the Northwest pear industry is undoubtedly very proud that Kevin received such a strong vote of confidence from all of the members of USAEDC. This speaks volumes about Kevin’s commitment toward ensuring that the MAP and other export development programs are used most effectively, efficiently and to maximum benefit.”
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About Pear Bureau Northwest:
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the U.S. fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 pear growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.
About U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC):
USAEDC serves as an information resource for its 80 members about FAS, legislative and other efforts in Washington, D.C., which may affect their ability to export or conduct export promotion and development programs, as well as media reports on these programs. USAEDC also serves as a forum for its members and USDA/FAS to discuss the operation and implementation of these programs overseas. Members of USAEDC are U.S. commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state regional trade groups from around the country, representing the interests of growers and processors of a variety of U.S. agricultural products.
Contact:
Cristie Mather
Pear Bureau Northwest
503-652-9720
Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.
Pear Bureau Northwest President and CEO will bridge communication between organization members and government decision-makers