Pace Postharvest Academy Event

Clint Lewis – CEO at AgroFresh

Clint Lewis has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and agribusiness industries, having previously held senior executive positions in human health and animal health and now in the global specialty crop sector. He has worked and resided in the U.S. and Europe with extensive international travel. Clint is currently the Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors for AgroFresh Solutions – a global, market-leading agribusiness company focused on the ‘post-harvest’ segment of the fresh fruit and produce sector.

Before joining AgroFresh, Clint spent twelve years at Zoetis, Inc. (NYSE: ZTS), the largest animal health company in the world. Prior to the formation of Zoetis, Clint spent 25 years in senior commercial and general management roles of increasing responsibility at Pfizer, Inc. across both human and animal health.

Clint serves on various boards of directors, including those of AgroFresh, International Paper (NYSE: IP), and United Veterinary Care

Desmond O’Rourke – President at Belrose Inc.

Dr. O’Rourke has undergraduate degrees in Classics from Queens University, Belfast, and in Commerce from University College, Dublin, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of California, Davis. He served on the Agricultural Economics faculty of Washington State University from 1970 to 2000. He headed their international marketing program from 1985 to 2000 when he moved to the private sector to set up his own consulting company, Belrose, Inc., for world fruit market analysts. That company publishes annual reviews and special studies of global fruit markets. Dr. O’Rourke is the author of over 200 publications and a frequently invited speaker and consultant worldwide on various aspects of food marketing and international trade.

Carolina Torres – Associate Professor, Endowed Chair in Postharvest Systems, Washington State University

Dr. Carolina Torres, Associate Professor and Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Postharvest Systems at Washington State University-Wenatchee TFREC. Experience in postharvest research focused on apples and pears, addressing issues such as how the environment affects fruit quality before and after harvest, physiological disorder’s development and assessment and development of new technologies. More than 20 years of experience doing research, teaching, leading research groups, and working with the fruit industry.

Achour Amiri – Associate Professor of the Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University

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Simone Seifert-Higgins, Regulatory Manager, Pace International

Coming Soon

Jim Spadafora, Director Global Product Development, AgroFresh

Jim Spadafora is currently the Director of Global Product Development at AgroFresh. He is based at the Spring House Innovation Park (SHIP) in Pennsylvania, and has been with AgroFresh for the past two years. Prior to joining AgroFresh, Jim has held a number of roles in the Agriultural Products Industry, including Globel Product Development, Project Management, Strategic Marketing and Discovery Research, at companies such as AgBiome, FMC, NuFarm Arysta and BASF. Jim holds a PhD from Pennsylvania State University in Plant Pathology, and is well known in the Industry for his global expertise in both biological and synthetic fungicides and crop protection products.