Lain Jager has been appointed chief executive officer of Zespri Group Ltd. following five months as acting CEO. Before that, he served as the firm's human resources manager and general manager of its supply chain. Zespri Chairman John Loughlin said that the board of directors appointed Mr. Jager after an extensive five-month recruitment process. "We followed a robust process, which resulted in a good-quality short list of candidates," Mr. Loughlin said in a press release. "Lain has grown and developed in the role of acting CEO in the past five months, and the board is delighted to confirm that

The board of directors of the Newark, DE-based Produce Marketing Association's Foundation for Industry Talent took office at the close of PMA's 2008 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL, in October. Chairman of the Board Bill Schuler, president and chief executive officer of Castellini Co. in Newport, KY, is joined on the 2008-09 board by three other officers and 17 directors to lead next year's foundation activities. "We have a dynamic team of leaders in place to ensure the produce industry has strong talent and continued leadership long into the future," PMA FIT

The Washington Apple Commission announced Dec. 4 that Todd Fryhover was selected as the organization's next president. Mr. Fryhover formally takes the reins Jan. 1, but he is already working with Interim President Ken Severn to facilitate a smooth transition. Mr. Fryhover is a native of Wenatchee, WA, the city where the commission is headquartered. He graduated from the University of Idaho with an agricultural and business degree. He has 20 years of industry experience, having worked for several leading apple shippers. "This is such an honor," Mr. Fryhover told The Produce News a few hours

Launched this past spring, the produce industry has a new credit reporting and marketing web site. Blue Book Online Services, at www.bluebookprco.com, is the latest offering from Blue Book Services and follows the very successful Electronic Blue Book on CD-ROM. "Blue Book Online Services is highly regarded by users throughout the fresh produce supply-chain," Jim Bartelson, Blue Book's executive vice president, said in a press release. "This is exemplified by the industry's rapid adoption of the web site. The majority of Electronic Blue Book subscribers have already converted to BBOS." The

Amid a variety of internal changes in the Central American melon business, North American produce buyers expect plenty of high-quality imported melons this winter. While growers who tried to create an especially early Guatemalan melon deal were greeted by too much rain, those who planted according to conventional wisdom on and after Sept. 15 are "now coming with very good supplies and very good-quality melons," Mauro Suazo, founder and president of the Latin American Melon & Watermelon Grower-Exporters Confederation and the president of Suazo Agrotrading International in Pompano Beach, FL

According to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, the Peruvian asparagus industry is setting standards for innovation, compliance with food and safety requirements, promotion and production. In 2008, the association placed a major focus on innovation. "We have worked closely with the U.S. government agencies to advance the trade of fresh Peruvian asparagus here in the United States," Priscilla Lleras, PAIA coordinator, said in a press release. "We see the benefit of working together to search for new methods, technologies and strategies that will enhance trade and ultimately benefit