ANAHEIM, CA - It was a big weekend for former Vons VP of Produce and Floral Dick Spezzano, who was named the Robert L. Carey Leadership Award winner and elected to chair the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent's Board of Directors during Fresh Summit.

Four former PMA chairmen chose Spezzano for the Robert L. Carey Leadership Award from an impressive field of candidates, noting his outstanding leadership history and commitment to the mission of PMA.

“This is a man who epitomizes what it means to give back to the industry in which he’s worked for over 50 years,” shared former Owner and CEO of Standard Fruit & Vegetable Co., Inc. and 2013 award winner Jay Pack. Pack presented the award to Spezzano during Fresh Summit weekend. “He believes in reaching out to youth – to build healthy eating habits early and to attract the best and the brightest young talent. Together with his wife Carole, he’s also set the bar by making a legacy gift to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. Talk about the power of commitment.”

"This award is very special to me as I was on the PMA Board of Directors for ten years while Bob was the association leader,” Spezzano said graciously after accepting the award. “Under Bob's leadership, I learned many things and especially the art of giving back to an industry that has been good to me."

As noted above, Spezzano was also elected Chairman of the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent’s Board of Directors. According to a press release, this position will place him on the PMA Executive Committee, along with PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann and PMA President Cathy Burns.

In addition to his responsibilities with PMA, Spezzano also serves as the President of Spezzano Consulting Service, Inc.

Congratulations on the new position and award, Spezzano!

PMA