Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998jimmie.turner@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has appointed seven members to serve on the National Mango Board.
Newly appointed members are: Thomas Wade Shiba of Missouri City, Texas; George Mendez, Nogales, Ariz.; Jorge Eustacio Perez Calderon, Rio Rico, Ariz.; James Alvarez, Los Angeles; Jorge Armando Celis Moreno, Mazatlan, Mexico; and Reynaldo Hilbck, Piura, Peru.
Flavio Muranaka of Petrolina, Brazil, was reappointed to the board.
With the exception of Shiba, whose term will end Dec. 31, 2011, each of the appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2011, and ending Dec. 31, 2013.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the mango industry, and I am confident that industry will be well-served by them,” said Vilsack.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the National Mango Board in accordance with the Commodity Promotion Research, and Information Act of 1996 and the Mango Promotion, Research and Information Order. Under the order, first handlers and importers pay an assessment at the rate of one-half cent per pound on all mangos.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the board.
More information about the research and promotion programs can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion.
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