United news: Wenzing on board

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United hires Industry Veteran Claudia Wenzing

Washington, D.C. - United Fresh Produce Association announced today that Claudia Wenzing, a member of the senior staff of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) for the past 12 years, will join United Fresh April 28 as Vice President of Business Development.
“Claudia is known throughout the produce industry for her passion, motivation and commitment,” said United Fresh President Tom Stenzel. “We are thrilled that Claudia has chosen as her next career step to pursue a mutual vision to develop new programs, services and tools to help our member companies and the industry overall enhance their long-term sales and profitability,” Stenzel said.
“United Fresh has strongly supported PBH since its formation as an important avenue for our industry to encourage consumers to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said United Fresh Chairman Emanuel Lazopoulos, Del Monte Fresh. “Our association is committed to continuing that support, and working with PBH to ensure a positive transition for both organizations. Our own company Del Monte is a long-time supporter of PBH, and we will miss Claudia’s great spirit at the Foundation. But, while I’m sad to see her leave the Foundation she has served so well all these years, I’m also pleased that she has chosen to launch the next stage in her career still in the fresh produce industry with United Fresh. Truly, we are all one team to grow produce consumption, and it’s great to have Claudia continue to provide leadership to this effort,” he said.
"I am very grateful for the experiences I was afforded through my affiliation with the Produce for Better Health Foundation,” Wenzing said. “I am extremely excited about this new career chapter and finding new avenues in which to give back to the produce industry."
Claudia served as PBH Development Director from 1996-2000, and since that time as Vice President of Development. She has been responsible for both annual and special campaign fundraising, planned giving, and working with industry members to support the Foundation through ongoing sponsorships of activities and programs. Previously, she worked in fundraising and development for Youth Services International, a residential academy serving at-risk youth, from 1993-1996. She earned her bachelors degree in psychology Magna Cum Laude from Towson State University in Maryland.
At United Fresh, Claudia will work with President Tom Stenzel in serving the needs of both the association and the United Fresh Research and Education Foundation. For United Fresh, Claudia will work to help member companies by developing programs and linkages that boost overall produce sales and profitability. For the United Fresh Foundation, she will work to continue strengthening the Foundation as a primary source of education and training, food safety programs, and leadership development to help the produce industry better serve the consuming public. Claudia, herself, is a graduate of Class 9 of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program.
With Claudia’s expertise and knowledge of our industry, she will hit the ground running at this year’s annual United Fresh 2008 convention in Las Vegas, May 4-7.
"I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends in the industry at the convention, and having this unique opportunity to help grow this great business,” she said.