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Everest Climber Speaks At RFA’s Annual Conference

The Refrigerated Foods Association’s new board: Front row, from left: Mike Swan, Keybrand Foods; George Bradford, Mrs. Stratton’s Salads; Josh Knott, Knott’s Wholesale Foods (secretary); Ken Funger, Mrs. Grissom’s Salads (treasurer). Second row: Karen Bishop-Carbone, Kettle Cuisine; Lauren Edmonds, St. Clair Foods; Jennifer Shrader, Atlantic Coast Marketing; Tom Davis, Lakeview Farms. Third row: Jeff Rhodes, Ventura Foods; Mark Reser, Reser’s Fine Foods; Wendie DeMatteo Holsinger, ASK Foods; Don Klausing. Back row: Timm Miller, Packers Sanitation Services; Steve Loehndorf, Reser’s Fine Foods (president); Wes Thaller, House of Thaller (VP). Not pictured are Mark Brown, Reser's Fine Foods/Fresh Creative Foods, and Bryan Westerby, The Suter Co.

Last updated on June 6th, 2016 at 02:44 pm

Ed Viesturs, the only American climber who successfully reached the summits of all the world’s 14 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen, kicked off the Refrigerated Foods Association’s 36th Annual Conference in March with his lessons on risk management and patience. The conference was March 6-9 at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Viesturs’ inspirational message received top marks from the conference audience, which included approximately 200 attendees from across America and Canada.

Other presenters and topics included Pasta 101; “Engaging and Developing Millennial Leaders” from speaker and author Scott Sadler; “The Effects of Social Media on the Food Industry” by noted blogger “SciBabe,” Yvette D’Entremont; “DNA Fingerprinting: Friend or Foe?” by Ben Howard of Certified Laboratories; “Which Trends Should Get Your Attention” by Alex Stanley of SmarTeam; and a critical technical update from RFA Technical Director Martin Mitchell.

Another highlight of the conference was a dinner cruise aboard Yacht StarShip, complete with a photo kiosk, awards and dancing. The annual golf tournament saw players enjoying networking and beautiful weather on the Vinoy’s award-winning course. Suppliers displayed their wares and presented money- and time-saving opportunities at the Tabletop Reception and during the One-on-One CEO Sessions.

Tom Davis of Lakeview Farms was elected as a new board member, and the following were re-elected to serve three-year terms: Don Klausing; Jeff Rhodes, Ventura Foods; and Wes Thaller, House of Thaller.

The RFA’s Executive Committee consists of:

President: Steve Loehndorf of Reser’s Fine Foods;

VP: Wes Thaller of House of Thaller;

Treasurer: Ken Funger of Mrs. Grissom’s Salads; and

Secretary, Josh Knott of Knott’s Fine Foods.

For more information on Atlanta-based RFA, visit refrigeratedfoods.org or call 678-426-8175. Megan Levin is RFA’s executive director.

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Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
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