Jun 11, 2019

Bob Whitaker to step down as PMA chief science and tech officer

Bob Whitaker will retire in January 2020 after 11 years of service as chief science and technology officer for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA).

Whitaker is the first person to serve PMA as science and technology officer, and has led the organization’s efforts in food safety, sustainability and supply chain innovation. He has been a member of the Center for Produce Safety’s board of directors and executive committee since 2007 and chaired its technical committee from 2008 to 2013.

Along with his duties at PMA, Whitaker has been active with several industry trade organizations, including contributing to the establishment of leafy greens good agricultural practices and serving on the California Leafy Greens Technical Committee.

Before joining PMA, Whitaker was a researcher and vice president for fruit and vegetable research at DNA Plant Technology Corporation and then a vice president for process operations at NewStar Fresh Foods. He earned a doctorate in biology from the State University of New York at Binghamtom.