A familiar face returns to CPMA, this time as president
Ron Lemaire has been tapped as president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. He'll take over May 1 from Dan Dempster, who is retiring after 34 years with CPMA, the last 28 years as president.
This is the second time Lemaire (pictured above) has worked at the association. He spent 10 years with CPMA, leaving in October 2008. He was executive vice-president and director of marketing at the time of his departure.
Lemaire has spent the last two and a half years as vice-president of the Canada Green Building Council, which promotes the construction of environmentally friendly building and homes.
In a statement, Lemaire said he is thrilled to be back. "Since leaving CPMA, I have gained a true appreciation of what the produce industry means to me and I am excited to return to those roots and lead the organization into the future."
Dempster announced last May that he would be retiring but a replacement was not named at the time. Alain Routhier, chair of the CMPA's board of directors, said the association did an exhaustive search for a new president.
"We look forward to working with Ron in this new capacity.” Routhier said. "
Although retiring, Dempster will continue to work with the Ottawa-based CPMA, which represents produce companies, including growers, packers, brokers, marketers and retailers.
The CPMA's annual show and conference takes place April 13 to 15 in Montreal.