Last updated on September 21st, 2015 at 01:40 pm
Melissa Hughes of Organic Valley has been chosen for the second year in a row to lead the Organic Trade Association’s board of directors as president. She is general counsel and director of government affairs for Organic Valley, the nation’s oldest and largest organic dairy cooperative.
Other officers announced at OTA’s annual meeting were: Kim Dietz of Smucker Natural Foods as VP, U.S.; Dag Falck of Nature’s Path Food as VP, Canada; Sarah Bird of Three Twins Organic Ice Cream as secretary; and Tony Bedard of Frontier Co-op as treasurer.
Samantha Cabaluna of Earthbound Farm; Perry Clutts of Pleasantview Farm, who holds the farmer seat; and Kelly Shea of WhiteWave Foods were re-elected to each serve three-year terms on the board. In addition, upon recommendations from OTA’s governance committee, the board selected David Lively of Organically Grown Co. to fill a three-year appointed term and Rick Collins of Clif Bar to fill a one-year appointed term.
Completing the board are Jesse Laflamme of Pete and Gerry’s Organics, Melody Meyer of UNFI, Marci Zaroff of Under the Canopy/Portico Brands and MetaWear, and Leslie Zuck of Pennsylvania Certified Organic. In addition, Ryan Benn of Alive Publishing Group Inc. has been appointed again to represent Canadian interests on the OTA board for a one-year term.
Retiring from the board are Nicole Dawes of Late July Snacks, who has served since 2009, and Chris Ely of Applegate Farms, who has served since 2010.
Also during OTA’s annual meeting, Jeff Rakity of Natural Flavors received OTA’s 2015 Member of the Year Award. This special recognition was created to honor a truly engaged member—a dedicated volunteer, fearless leader and apt cheerleader for OTA while serving overall as an ambassador for OTA and the industry, according to the organization.
