The Fruit Growers News - September 2002

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) has announced the selection of Nancy Foster as its new president and CEO. Foster comes to the apple industry association after seven years as vice president of legislative affairs with CropLife America, formerly theAmerican Crop Protection Association.

Nancy Foster

“We are excited that Nancy will be assuming leadership of USApple,” said Phil Glaize, chair of the association’s executive search committee.

The group chose an executive with experience in Washington, D.C.

“Nancy has a very strong track record in Washington, D.C. and she is an experienced manager who understands the legislative process and has the vision and drive to lead our industry in these very challenging times,” said Glaize.

Foster has served as the vice president of legislative affairs for CropLife America since 1995. While at CropLife America Foster worked with political leaders, sharing the views of the Washington, D.C.–based trade association representing the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management solutions.

The announcement was made Thursday, Aug. 22, at a reception during the USApple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference. Foster will take the position with the Vienna, Va. association in mid-September.

Prior to joining CropLife America, Foster directed the Washington, D.C. office of the American Dietetic Association. Previously, she served as vice president of public affairs for the American Soybean Association. Foster has also worked for the USDA, the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

She replaces Kraig Naasz, who departed USApple at the end of May to become president of The Fertilizer Institute.

USApple Vice President Jim Cranney served as interim president during the nationwide search for Foster, which was conducted by Kincannon &Reed, an international executive search firm based in Vienna, Va.

“We are grateful to Jim for his tremendous efforts during the past months to keep USApple on its chartered course,” said USApple Chairman Ed Wittenbach. “Under Jim’s Leadership, USApple continued to move forward, always keeping the interests of America’s apple growers paramount.”