Pear Bureau Northwest President Named Produce Industry Top 25 Leader

Produce industry trade publication “The Packer” honors Kevin Moffitt for exceptional leadership

Pear Bureau Northwest President Kevin Moffitt Honored Among Produce Industry’ Top 25 Leaders

Produce Industry Trade Publication “The Packer” Honors Moffitt for Exceptional Leadership 

Portland, Ore. – April 9, 2009 – Pear Bureau Northwest, the non-profit marketing organization that represents the 1,600 pear growers of Oregon and Washington (home to 84% of the U.S. fresh pear crop), is pleased to announce that Kevin Moffitt, the organization’s president and chief executive officer, is being recognized as one of the produce industry’s top twenty five leaders.

The Packer, a key produce industry trade publication, has been recognizing exemplary industry leadership with a special report entitled “The Packer 25” for the past five years.  The staff of the publication, including senior editors and senior advertising staff, convenes each spring to select those whose leadership in recent years has helped to define the success of the industry.

“There are so many good leaders in the produce industry,” says Greg Johnson, editor of The Packer. “Each year, The Packer honors twenty five of them. Kevin was chosen for this honor in 2009 for raising the profile of pears both domestically and internationally, and going above and beyond his duties at the Pear Bureau for the benefit of both tree fruit and the produce industry in general.”

Honored for his dedication to the success of Oregon and Washington’s pear industry, Moffitt also earned this recognition because of his service on key produce boards, councils, and associations.  He is currently the vice-chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, a group that is the liaison between the USDA and the sixty organizations who participate in the Foreign Agricultural Service’s $200 million Market Access Program.  Moffitt is also vice-president of the World Apple and Pear Association, an international organization based in Belgium.  Moffitt will take on the leadership role of both organizations in 2010.

In addition, Moffitt also volunteers his time on the communications committee for the Produce for Better Health Foundation, and was involved in the creation of the Fruits and Veggies—More Matters campaign that encourages Americans to meet the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables for better health.

Having joined the Pear Bureau staff nearly twenty years ago as international marketing director before moving into the role of president and chief executive officer in 2001, Moffitt’s key initiatives for the future involve activities that will keep the Northwest pear industry profitable, such as the pear ripening programs and progressive consumption-building consumer activities, as well as supporting efforts that increase production efficiencies and productivity in pear orchards – keeping Oregon and Washington’s pear growers ahead of the competition throughout the world. 

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About Pear Bureau Northwest
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a nonprofit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon. The Bureau represents more than 1,600 growers who grow 84 percent of the nation’s fresh pear crop, and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

Contact:

Cristie Mather

Communications Manager

Pear Bureau Northwest

cmather@usapears.com

(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.