Johnna Hepner

---

Johnna Hepner

Vice President, Business Development & Partnerships, Starfish

Johnna Hepner brings over 30 years of experience in the food safety and supply chain sectors. Prior to joining Starfish, she held leadership roles at the Produce Marketing Association, Markon Cooperative Inc., and most recently at iFDS, where she continued to build strong industry relationships and champion initiatives focused on food safety and the adoption of innovative technologies in the produce industry.

A graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, Johnna also holds a B.S. in Food Science, Minor in Chemistry from California State University Fresno. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing food safety standards and driving digital transformation within the agricultural sector.

Dr. Laura K. Strawn is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of Produce Safety in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech. She holds degrees from Cornell University, University of Florida, and University of California, Davis. Her research program focuses on the microbial safety of fresh fruits and vegetables; specifically, the ecology, evolution, and transmission of foodborne pathogens throughout the produce supply chain. Passionate about risk management and communication, Dr. Strawn strives to make her research accessible and actionable for American farmers and consumers. She collaborates directly with produce stakeholders to address and resolve various produce safety challenges. Additionally, Dr. Strawn is a lead instructor for multiple food safety curricula and enjoys applied field research. She loves mentoring and gladly donates her time to various professional service activities including the International Association for Food Protection (Chair, Food Protection Trends, Management Committee), Phi Tau Sigma (Board of Directors) and various food safety task forces. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the professional, Dr. Strawn received IAFP’s Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award in 2021 as well as in 2024 she was honored by The Alliance to STOP Foodborne Illness 40 Under 40 Class of Food Safety Professionals from Across the World.

Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director, Center for Produce Safety

Ms. Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business Management at California Poly State University, San Luis Obispo and her Masters of Business Administration from Sacramento State University.   After fifteen years as Executive Director at the California Wheat Commission, she joined the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) in 2008 as its Executive Director working to leverage public and private expertise and research dollars to address critical risk management issues in the growth, harvest, processing and distribution of fresh produce.  As Executive Director she focuses the CPS’s attention on critical food safety issues affecting the fresh produce industry and establishes collaborations among public agencies and private industry to maximize the impact of research budgets.   

Martin Wiedmann, Dr. Med. Vet, Ph.D., Gellert Family Professor in Food Safety, Cornell University

Martin Wiedmann, Dr. med. vet, Ph.D. is the Gellert Family Professor of Food Safety at Cornell University. Martin received a veterinary degree and a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, and a Ph.D. in Food Science from Cornell. His research interests focus on farm-to-table microbial food quality and food safety and the application of molecular tools and quantitative and modelling approaches to study the transmission of foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms. Martin is particularly well known for his work on control of Listeria monocytogenes transmission. His team has published > 450 peer reviewed publications, which have been cited >35,000 times. He and his team are regularly asked to help industry across the world with a range of microbial food safety and quality challenges. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), and the International Academy of Food Science and Technology.

Drew Pearson, with Heinzen Manufacturing, Leads the Business Development, Project Manager and Continuous improvement effort. He has a B. A. in Business Economics from University California Santa Barbara. With the team at Heinzen, he is passionate about hygienic equipment design, working with customers to improve food processing and building state of the art processing facilities that meet or exceed the FSMA requirements and integrating best in class solutions. In his free time, Drew enjoys coaching all sports and playing basketball, golf, pickle ball and tennis.

Timm Miller – Vice President of Business Development at Sanitation Specialists

 With over 31 years of experience in the food processing sanitation industry, Timm Miller brings a wealth of expertise to his role at Sanitation Specialists. Timm’s career spans 18 years in the chemistry side of the business, followed by 13 years in direct operational sanitation roles, with a specialized focus on fresh, fresh-cut, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables.

In his current role, Timm oversees all aspects of business development and marketing for Sanitation Specialists, a contract sanitation company based in Salinas. Under his leadership, the company continues to build its reputation for innovation, safety, and excellence in the sanitation industry.

German L. Rios is the Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality at Fresh Express, where he has dedicated over 20 years to ensuring the highest standards in food safety and quality. With a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he has built a career rooted in expertise, commitment, and innovation. In 2022, he was honored as part of Produce Business magazine’s "40 Under 40" class, recognizing his significant contributions to the industry. Known for his data-driven approach, effective communication with senior leadership, and sharing insights with the FDA, AFDO, and customers, German continues to be a passionate advocate for advancing and leading food safety standards and food safety culture across Fresh Express’s Ag Operations team and their six facilities across the United States, as well as with the broader industry.

Melissa Ortner is the Plant Manager for Latitude 36 Foods in Salinas, CA.  Latitude 36 Foods is a condiment and leading salad kit packer for the fresh-cut produce industry.  Melissa has been a member of the Western Food Safety Committee since 2023.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly SLO in Dairy Science and her Master’s Degree in Food Safety from Michigan State University.  Melissa has been rooted in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, with experience in Sales and Operations throughout her career all fortunately stationed in the Salinas Valley.

Joe Pezzini, Senior Director of Ag Operations, Taylor Farms

Joe is a native of Salinas and from a third-generation farming family.  He grew up on their family artichoke farm with his brothers and sisters. He began his career with the Ocean Mist Farms group of companies in 1983 as a farm manager for Boutonnet Farms.  Along with two partners Joe started Valley Pride Custom Harvesting in 1987.  In 2001, Joe became Vice President of Operations at Ocean Mist Farms and eventually Chief Operating Officer in 2009. Joe served as President & CEO of Ocean Mist from 2015 to 2021. 

In 2021 Joe joined Taylor Farms as the Senior Director of Ag Operations.  He is responsible for Taylor Farming and Harvesting operations, covering 35,000 crop acres.

He has served on many industry boards including Central California Grower-Shipper Association and Foundation, California Leafy Greens Product Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA), Ag Against Hunger, Produce Marketing Association, and currently Chairman of the Center for Produce Safety.  Joe has been a leading advocate for produce food safety and was instrumental in forming the LGMA following the spinach crisis in 2006.  Joe is a Hartnell College alum, UC Davis graduate and has an MBA from the University of Santa Clara.  He is a Class 28 Fellow from the California Agricultural Leadership Program and a Board of Director of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Joe and his wife Mary have two grown children, David and Bess.  Joe and Mary are avid gardeners, runners and share their home with a wide variety of animals including horses and peacocks.

Norm Groot started in Agriculture by pulling weeds at his Dad's wholesale nursery when he was five. After receiving a degree in Business Accounting at the University of Southern California, he went into the family business as the VP of Finance, working for 14 years to expand the business, and then for Monrovia Growers for 17 years. His nursery work experience includes finance, technology, logistics, and production planning. 

Starting in late 2010, Norm assumed the Executive Director position for Monterey County Farm Bureau. Additional community engagement includes Chair of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and service on their Board of Directors for 6 years. He currently participates on the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee, the Hartnell College Ag Business & Tech Institute Advisory Committee, the Transportation Agency of Monterey County’s Transportation Safety & Investment Plan Oversight Committee, Monterey County Economic Development Committee, Past-Chair of the Community Advisory Council for Central Coast Community Energy, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association and See Monterey (Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau), and served on the Central Coast Community Health Care Board (2015-2018). 

In April 2024, Norm received the Spirit of Ag Award from Monterey County Agricultural Education; in October 2022, was awarded Ag Leader from the National Steinbeck Center; and, in February 2021, received the Agricultural Leadership Award from the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Norm is married to Marcha, resides in Prunedale CA, and has two married daughters. 

Amanda Wilder holds an M.S. in Food Science from Kansas State University and B.S. in Food Science from the University of Idaho. While attending KSU, she worked in the Food Safety and Defense Lab on pathogen intervention technologies and strategies for the produce, pet food, and meat industries. Her past experience before joining the Provision team also includes working in Food Safety, R&D, and business development roles in meat, fruit and vegetable, and pulse processing operations. As US Sales Director at Provision Analytics, she’s passionate about helping companies find and implement solutions to optimize their food safety processes.

Betsy Handelman, Sr. Director, Food Safety & Compliance, Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division

Betsy Handelman is the Senior Director of Food Safety & Compliance within the Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division.  In this role, Betsy supports both the Produce Alliance and Fresh Concepts brands as well as the Fresh Alliance procurement and contracting solutions.  Food safety and quality assurance isn't just our management initiative, it's our way of life.  With our alliance of quality growers and dedicated distributors, our food service partners trust us to provide them with safe, compliant and top quality produce.  

Betsy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration, with a concentration in Food & Beverage.  For over 20 years, Betsy has acquired extensive experience in the food service industry, the last 9 of which have been focused on food safety, regulatory and traceability initiatives.  Outside of the professional world, Betsy enjoys spending time with her husband, three children and their two dogs.

Eric Edmunds, is a food regulatory attorney and consultant. He works as an advisor to The Acheson Group, bringing a combination of legal, regulatory and food industry experience to TAG. Eric earned a B.S. in Biology from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah and later earned a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar. Eric worked as a program analyst and food safety specialist with the Food Safety and Animal Health Program at the Oregon Department of Agriculture leading state food regulation development and adoption, FSMA outreach and policy development, farm-related and food service/retail issues, recall, and enforcement response. Eric is the Chair of the Food Law Professional Development Group at the Internation Association for Food Protection (IAFP). He is certified in HACCP, is a FSMA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and holds a variety of other food regulatory and training certifications.

As the Director of Food Safety and Quality for Taylor Farms Retail, Kari Valdés leads the standardization of best practices in Food Safety, Quality, and Sanitation. With over 20 years of experience in the produce industry, she offers a comprehensive range of farm-to-fork solutions in the ever-evolving field of fresh-cut produce safety.

“I enjoy a hands-on approach,” says Valdés. “It’s important to ‘walk the walk’—to understand the process and ensure that procedures are grounded in science and designed for practical, operational application.”

Kari is also an elected member of the Hartnell College Board of Trustees. After serving her first term from 2005 to 2008, she embraced the opportunity to bridge Hartnell, Food Safety, and the early development of the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA). Nearly 20 years later, the Western Food Safety Conference (WFSC) remains strong, and she is proud to contribute to its continued success. Re-elected in 2024, Kari continues to support the WFSC, while also expanding her engagement into mechatronics and advocacy for the arts.

She serves on several boards and committees. “Supporting community, industry, and the Taylor Farms team brings me a sense of purpose,” she says, “and fuels my passion for creating efficient, practical solutions that embrace modern technology.”

Born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kari has been surrounded by agriculture her entire life. Her parents, Gary and Gayle Scheidhauer, instilled in her a deep commitment to family and a strong work ethic. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Stout, she packed her belongings into a U-Haul, towed her car, and headed west to California in pursuit of new opportunities.

Kari, her husband Francisco (“Chato”) Valdés, and their two children, Mateo and Adrian, love enjoying California’s great outdoors. Some of their favorite activities include boating, wake surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, downhill skiing, hiking, biking, and all things beach-related.

Jynel Gularte is a native of the Salinas Valley. She graduated Summa cum laude from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Business. She has been the Controller and Compliance Officer of her family farm, Rincon Farms Incorporated since 2018. With extensive involvement in agriculture and the community, Jynel sits as a Board of Director for the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County, Monterey County Ag Education, SAGE, Monterey County Cattlewomen's Association and is the current Chairman of the Central Coast Young Farmers and Ranchers. 

Ryan Kelly is a Salinas Valley Native and 2ndgeneration farmer. He worked summers as a kid on the Mushroom Farm doing labor and tractor work while learning composting and mushroom production. Ryan went to college at Cabrillo for 2 years while working as a Mushroom Grower to get money for college, then transferred to Cal Poly in 2002 and finished college career in San Luis Obispo. In 2005, he began working with Ocean Mist Farms and affiliated companies managing grower deals and production in Salinas Valley and Huron and Oxnard, eventually adding Baja Mist, MX operations. In 2020, he took Vice-President role at Boutonnet Farms and Consulting partner Agricola DH&G, MX (Previously Baja Mist) until present day. Ryan currently serves as director on 4 different Boards including Monterey County Farm Bureau, Ocean Mist Farms, Central Coast Water Quality Preservation Inc., and President of the Artichoke Advisory Board. 

Tapan Pathak currently is a Specialist in Climate Adaptation in Agriculture at UC Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research Institute. Tapan holds a Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering from the University of Florida, an M.S. Irrigation Engineering from Utah State University, and a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Gujarat Agricultural University. He received the Leadership Award from the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) in  2019.