Posted: January 27th, 2012 - 7:24pm
Source: The Packer

Ed Beckman has ended his stint as president of California Tomato Farmers to become chief executive officer of Clovis, Calif.-based Certified Greenhouse/Hothouse Vegetable Producers Association of North America.
Beckman left the tomato cooperative on Jan. 6. He was the head of that group since its inception in 2007.
The board plans to hire an executive director before the start of the California tomato season in early summer, according to a news release.
Beckman could not be reached for comment Jan. 26.
Five companies established the greenhouse association in mid-2008, to set standards for greenhouse growing. It established a certified greenhouse program.
Those grower-shippers are:
Windset Greenhouses LP, Delta, British Columbia, Canada;
Houweling’s Hot House, Delta;
Gipaanda Greenhouses Ltd., Delta;
Village Farms LP, Delta; and
Eurofresh Farms, Willcox, Ariz.
The tomato cooperative represents seven member growers and about 80% of the state’s fresh tomatoes.
“The board is looking for an individual who can guide CTF through its next phase of growth,” Billy Heller of Tracy, Calif.-based Pacific Triple E, a board member, said in the release.
“While much has been accomplished during Ed’s tenure, as a leader and model for food safety programs CTF is looking to constantly improve our systems and the new executive director needs to share that commitment and vision.”
Beckman has 24 years of experience in the industry.
Jeff Dolan of Newman, Calif.-based The DiMare Co. praised him for helping establish tomato-specific guidelines; mandatory, unannounced government food safety audits of members; and a Web-based database that allows CTF customers to view members’ audit results.
“CTF is now recognized as a leader in food safety and has continued to evolve and improve its programs throughout Ed’s tenure and the members want to acknowledge all of his hard work and achievements,” Dean Janssen of Manteca, Calif.-based Ace Tomato Co., board chairman, said in the release.