Abbotsford, BC, August 11, 2010. At the June 6 BC Food Processors Association Annual General Meeting, Robin Smith announced that he has decided to step down as President and Board Chair of the organization.

“I have always said that, when the time is ripe, I will step down,” Smith said. “The BCFPA is today in the fortunate position to have a suitable and most capable candidate who can step up to fill the position. We also have an experienced CEO who can support the new guy. The time has come.”

“Robin has done a tremendous amount to lead the BCFPA,” Nico Human, BCFPA CEO said after the announcement. “He is an astute tactician, people person and is especially politically very savvy. I will miss working so directly with him, but we will make sure that his expertise is still harnessed; he has agreed to stay on the executive and Board. He is not going anywhere. His role will just change.”

On July 26, at its first meeting after the AGM, the BCFPA Board elected Dave Eto as its new Chair and President.

Pieter VanderPol, who has served for many years on the Executive, has also decided to “make room for the next generation”. His position as Secretary will be filled by Chris Ball.

Gay Hahn, serving as Past President on the Executive, will now be replaced by Robin Smith.

“Gay was the Founding President of the BCFPA,” Human said. “She will remain a driving force on our Board and will continue to lead the very important Advocacy Committee. We are blessed with many capable leaders.”

The BCFPA executive for 2010/2011 is as follows:

President and Board Chair: Dave Eto
First Vice President: Vacant
Second Vice President: Stan Rogers
Treasurer: Jorgen Rohweder
Secretary: Chris Ball
Past President: Robin Smith

For the full BCFPA Board, with biographies and photographs, please visit www.bcfpa.ca/about/directors

Eto said. “My predecessors worked diligently to carve a path that established the BCFPA as a significant contributor to the Food Industry. We have a solid foundation to build from and I look forward to the challenge of continuing the growth of the industry and serving our members.”