Chris Ciruli, Chief Operating Officer, Ciruli Brothers/AMEX Distributing Co., Inc.

Chris Ciruli is a third generation owner of Ciruli Brothers, based in Tubac, AZ. Chris attended Northern Arizona University where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is responsible for all Ciruli Brothers operations. He has served on the PMA Foodservice Board for the past three years and is the Chairman-Elect of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. He also volunteers as the Vice President of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County.

Todd Eagan, Buyer, Costco Wholesale

Todd Eagen is a fresh produce buyer for Costco Wholesale, responsible for the berry category, as well as avocados, asparagus and corn for US locations. Todd has held various positions within Costco, since he joined the company in 1992 following his graduation from San Diego State University with a finance degree. In his position with Costco he also assists with international purchasing for other Costco divisions (Costco UK, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Canada, and Mexico). His responsibilities include overseeing the distribution of produce through the Tolleson, AZ and Dallas, TX depots, and managing staff that is responsible for those depots.

Amy Feldman, Regional Sales Manager, POM Wonderful, LLC

Amy Feldman is the regional sales manager for POM Wonderful, where she manages grocery, foodservice, c-store, and natural business in the Midwest. In addition to selling fresh pomegranates, the business also includes a full line of pomegranate juice and tea. Amy also teaches business courses to culinary students at Kendall College. Prior to working for POM Wonderful, she worked as a Regional Manager for Ready Pac, and has background as a perishable food broker and a retail grocery store manager. She earned her bachelor's degree in food marketing from Western Michigan University, holds an MBA in marketing from Golden Gate University, and completed a culinary program at Kendall College.

Anthony Gallino, Vice President, Sales, California Giant, Inc.

Anthony Gallino began working at California Giant in 1994 following his graduation from California State University, Chico. Since he joined Cal Giant, he has been promoted through the ranks and in 2005 he took his current position as vice president of sales. In this role he contributes to the company's growth by continually expanding the customer base and building long-term relationships with the buying community. Anthony is passionate about cycling and during his tenure at California Giant, he formed a grassroots cycling team, now one of the top ranked amateur teams in the U.S.

Phil Gilardi, President, Freshway Foods

Phil Gilardi is the president, co-owner and co-founder of Freshway Foods in Sidney, Ohio. He has been involved in the produce industry since grade school when he worked for his father's produce distribution company, serving in many roles including direct restaurant sales, shipping and receiving, and salad production management. In 1988, Phil, along with his brother, Frank, founded Freshway Foods with the intent to focus on value added fresh-cut produce. He is a past board member of the former International Fresh-cut Produce Association and served on many committees for the former NAFPP. In 2001 Freshway Foods was honored by the IFPA as "Processor of Year."

Andy Hamilton, Director of Sales - East, IFCO Systems, N.A.

Andy Hamilton is the eastern sales director at IFCO Systems' RPC Management Services division in the Atlanta, GA area. Before joining IFCO Systems last year, Andy worked for nine years at several locations for Chiquita Fresh North America in quality, sales, packaging and research and development. In his current position at IFCO, Andy has managed the eastern grower/shipper sales team, as well as the development of the IFCO retail business. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Tech in 1993 and an MBA from Wake Forest in 2000.

Erin Hanas Archey, Economic Analyst, A. Duda & Sons, Inc.

Erin Hanas Archey is a fourth generation owner of A. Duda & Sons headquartered in Oviedo, FL. Erin received her undergraduate degree in business management from Florida State University and a master's degree in agribusiness from the University of Florida's Food and Resource Economics Department. As a member of Duda's planning department, she serves as an economic analyst, studying and synthesizing information affecting the company's diversified business portfolio. She also actively participates in Duda's governmental relations program, serving on various committees within the state such as Florida's FFA Foundation Board of Directors, the Seminole County Young Republicans, and Florida Farm Bureau's Trade Advisory Committee and Young Farmer and Rancher Committee.

Jamey Higham, Director of Business Development, Potandon Produce, LLC

Jamey Higham is the director of business development at Potandon Produce in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has been involved in the produce industry for nearly 10 years. Jamey attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1992. After college he worked for five years selling potatoes in Idaho, three with Potandon. In 1998, he earned an MBA from Thunderbird in Glendale, Arizona. After five years with Ford Motor Company, he returned to Potandon in 2003 to in his current position. In 2006, he was selected as one of Produce Business's "40 Under Forty."

Ken Holthouse, General Manager, Owner/Partner, Doug Walcher Farms

Ken Holthouse is the general manager and partner of Doug Walcher Farms. The Holthouse family has been in the produce business since 1896. Ken started on the farm in 1968 and was there until 1989 when he left the family business to work at a local book printing plant. Ken's off-the-farm job turned into a career where he held various positions from customer service, shop floor and staff supervision, project management and regional logistics management. After Doug Walcher passed away in late 2002, Ken and his partners purchased the operation in early 2003. 2007 marks the fifth season that Ken has been leading Doug Walcher Farms to deliver "Ohio's Finest" produce.

Gordon Smith, Manager, International Marketing Programs, California Tree Fruit Agreement

Gordon Smith is the manager of international marketing programs for the California Tree Fruit Agreement in Reedley, California. In this role he manages the strategic marketing programs for the growers and packers of fresh California peaches, plums, and nectarines in Latin America, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Asian Pacific Rim. Gordon was actively involved in the plum export work plan to China, and is optimistic the Australian market will be open to California stone fruit in the near term. He received his master's of science degree in agricultural economics from Oregon State University, with a research focus on U.S. farm policy, and he completed his bachelor's degree at UC Davis.

Cali Tanguay, Business Development Manager, Apio, Inc.

Cali Tanguay is the business development manager for Apio's Technology Group based in Guadalupe, California. She oversees efforts to seek innovative applications for Breatheway membrane technology within the food industry. Cali is responsible for the research and development of strategic partnerships which would benefit from membrane technology, working in collaboration with a team of chemists and post-harvest experts to develop effective atmospheres for a variety of fresh produce commodities. Prior to joining Apio three years ago, she worked with Environmental Industries (now ValleyCrest Companies), Seminis Vegetable Seeds and Paramount Farms. She is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in agribusiness. She currently serves as a board member for the Central Coast Polo Club.