The USHBC is an organization fueled by the dedication and passion of our industry. Our committees are the engine that drives us forward.
Executive Committee
Oversees all business and operations of the USHBC, supporting all efforts to grow the value of and sell more blueberries to people in the U.S. and around the world.
- Shelly Hartmann – Chair
- Bryan Sakuma – Vice Chair
- JC Clinard – Treasurer
- Joe Barsi – Secretary
- Daniel Bustamante – Member at Large
- Art Galletta – Past Chair
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the Council including the recommendation and monitoring of the annual budget; assessment collection and compliance; investment of Council funds; fiscal reporting and annual financial audit. The Treasurer serves as the Chairperson of this committee.
The Committee will be composed of the Treasurer, two (2) Council members and three (3) at-large members appointed by the Council Chairperson.
- JC Clinard (FL, Importer #2) – Chair
- Tom Bodtke (MI) – (term 12/31/2025)
- George Fritz (MI) – (term 12/31/2024)
- Art Galletta (NJ, Region 3) – (term 12/31/2024)
- Bill Steed – (term 12/31/2026)
- Tracy Umbenhour – (12/31/2024)
Industry Engagement Committee
The Industry Engagement Committee supports the Council and Executive Committee in developing strategies to enhance engagement of industry professionals in USHBC meetings, events and programs and in governance roles. The Committee considers improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of USHBC governance and the leadership development system, including the recruitment, leadership succession planning and the appointment process of the executive committee members, importers, and public member positions for the Council.
- Bo Slack (WA, Importer #4 alt) – Chair (term 12/31/2024)
- Tom Bodtke – Vice Chair (term 12/31/26)
- Mark Adams – (term 12/31/2025)
- Doug Krahmer (OR) – (term 12/31/2024)
- Jody McPherson (NC) – (term 12/31/2026)
- Andrew Maiman (FL) – (term 12/31/2024)
- Bryan Sakuma (WA) – (term 12/31/2024)
- Felipe Silva (CL) – (term 12/31/2025)
- Anna Jesse – (term 12/31/2026)
- Denny Vander Kooi (MI) -(term 12/31/2024)
- Luis Miguel Vegas (PE) – (term 12/31/2025)
- Ken Patterson (FL) – (term 12/31/2024)
Promotion Committee
The Promotion Committee is delegated by the Council to oversee and review all U.S. markets and global market development promotion and marketing plans and fields market research studies to inform program development and evaluation. The Committee receives and considers program budget recommendations from the Health Research Advisory Board and the Global Business Development Advisory Board and is responsible for ensuring that overall program budget recommendations align with the strategic plan goals.
- Brian Bocock (Grower) – Chair (term 12/31/2026)
- Nathan Sakuma (WA, Grower) – Vice Chair (term 12/31/2024)
- Doug LaCroix (CA, Grower) – (term 12/31/2025)
- Katelyn Craig (Grower) – (term 12/31/2025)
- Chad Don (Grower) – (term 12/31/2026)
- Alec Arena – (Grower) (term 12/31/2024)
- Darren Sinn – (Fresh Marketer) (term 12/31/2024)
- Bonnie Lundblad – (Fresh Marketer) (term 12/31/2026)
- Kyla Oberman – (Fresh Marketer) (term 12/31/2025)
- Gonzalo de Elizalde – (Fresh Marketer) (term 12/31/2025)
- Jeff Malensky – (OR, Frozen Marketer) (term 12/31/2026)
- Steve Philips – (Frozen Marketer) (term 12/31/2025)
- Amy Nguyen – (Domestic Exporter) (term 12/31/2026)
- Doug Rombach – (Domestic Exporter) (term 12/31/2024)
- Ray Biln – (Importer – CA) (term 12/31/2026)
- Juan Flores – (Importer – Mexico) (term 12/31/2024)
- Felipe Silva – (Importer – Chile) (term 12/31/2024)
- Daniel Bustamante – (Importer – Peru) (term 12/31/2025)
- 1 HR Advisory Board Liaison – Joe Barsi
- 1 GBD Advisory Board Liaison – Mario Flores
Food Service Subcommittee (Promotion)
- Kyla Oberman, Chair – (term 12/31/2025)
- Ray Biln, Vice Chair – (term 12/312026)
- Stephanie Kleiner – (term 12/31/2025)
- Josh Scheel – (term 12/31/2024)
- Bruce Turner – (term 12/31/2024)
- Brian Bocock – (term 12/31/2026)
Retail Subcommittee (Promotion)
- Nathan Sakuma, Chair – (term 12/31/2024)
- Gonzalo de Elizalde, Vice Chair – (term 12/312025)
- Karen Brux – (term 12/31/2026)
- Jody McPherson – (term 12/31/2026)
- Joseph Klick- (term 12/31/2025)
- Bonnie Lundblad – (term 12/31/2026)
Food Manufacturing Subcommittee (Promotion)
- Steve Philips, Chair – (term 12/31/2025)
- Jeff Malensky – Vice Chair (term 12/31/2026)
- Chad Don – (term 12/31/2024)
- Karan Kohli – (term 12/31/2025)
- John Shelford – (term 12/31/2026)
- Felipe Silva – (term 12/31/2024)
Health Research Advisory Board
The Health Research Advisory Board defines recommends and manages priority research projects that demonstrate the health benefits of blueberries. The work of the Advisory Board supports success in strategies for market development.
- Mark Sweeney – Chair (term 12/31/2025)
- Joe Barsi, Vice Chair – (term 12/31/2025)
- Lindsay Bodtke – (term 12/31/2024)
- Amy Howell – (term 12/31/2026)
- Tammy Brannen – (term 12/31/2024)
- Dave Brazelton – (term 12/31/2026)
Global Business Development Advisory Board
The Global Business Development Advisory Board identifies, reviews, and recommends proposals and programs (including those funded by USDA FAS Trade Programs) that have the greatest potential to increase U.S. highbush blueberry export volume. The work of the Advisory Board supports success in USHBC strategies for export market development for U.S. production and to inspire global market development that helps achieve the USHBC’s vision to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit.
- Mario Flores – Chair (term 12/31/2024)
- Cort Brazelton – Vice Chair (term 12/31/2026)
- Andres Armstrong – (term 12/31/2025)
- Doug Rombach – (term 12/31/2026)
- Terry Fasel – (term 12/31/2025)
- Cristian Vivanco – (term 12/31/2024)
BerrySmart Food Safety Task Force
The BerrySmart Food Safety Task Force would be convened each year or as needed to address particular food safety trends, emerging issues or project/initiative work, and would work with staff to provide any information, recommendations or reports to the Council for consideration and/or action.
- Chelsea Consalo – Chair (term 12/31/2025)
- Risa Bakker – (term 12/31/2026)
- Kristen Brinkley – (term 12/31/2024)
- Lisa Winther – (term 12/31/2026)
- Mikala Hughes – (term 12/31/2024)
- Jennifer Pulcipher – (term 12/31/2025)
BerrySmart Technology Task Force
The BerrySmart Technology Task Force would be convened each year or as needed to address particular technology and innovation trends, emerging issues or project/initiative work, and would work with staff to provide any information, recommendations or reports to the Council for consideration and/or action.
- Noel Sakuma, Chair – (term 12/31/2025)
- Paul Macrie – (term 12/31/2026)
- Markus Duran – (term 12/31/2025)
- Chad Hansen – (term 12/31/2024)
- Mike Mainland – (term 12/31/2026)
- Anne Steinkamp – (term 12/31/2024)
BerrySmart Sustainability Task Force
The Berry Smart Sustainability would be convened each year or as needed to address particular sustainability trends, emerging issues or project/initiative work, and would work with staff to provide any information, recommendations or reports to the Council for consideration and/or action.
- Pat Goin – Chair (term 12/31/2025)
- Christy Butler – (term 12/31/2026)
- Cecilia Allende – (term 12/31/2024)
- Brian Knight – (term 12/31/2026)
- Rajendra Gangavarapu – (term 12/31/2025)
- Creela Hamlin – (term 12/31/2024)