Vienna, Va. – U.S. Apple Association (USApple) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today announced his acceptance of an offer to serve as president of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), a major agribusiness trade association headquartered in Washington, D.C., that represents the producers, transporters and providers of fertilizer products.

“While we are saddened to see Kraig leave, the apple industry is very grateful to have benefited from his leadership over these past four years,” said USApple Chairman Edwin F. Wittenbach. “We wish Kraig the utmost success in his new position, and we look forward to joining forces with The Fertilizer Institute in support of issues of mutual concern to our respective industries.”

Naasz assumed the helm at USApple in June 1998, after serving as vice president of the Northwest Horticultural Council, Yakima, Wash., for nearly six years. During his tenure at the apple industry’s national trade association, Naasz guided the industry’s successful antidumping case against apple juice concentrate imports from the People’s Republic of China, helped secure nearly $200 million in direct federal assistance for apple growers, and boosted the health and nutritional profile of apples and apple products with consumers. Vance Publishing’s The Packer/The Grower last August named Naasz “Apple Man of the Year” in recognition of his accomplishments and outstanding service to the apple industry.

“I am extremely proud of my role in helping to establish USApple as a forceful and effective advocate of the nation’s apple industry, and to have demonstrated through its achievements the association’s importance to the industry’s overall success,” said Naasz. “Given my confidence in USApple’s ability to meet the many challenges that lie ahead, I now welcome the opportunity to embark on the next phase of my professional career in service to the agribusiness community and The Fertilizer Institute.”

Naasz represents USApple on the boards or policy committees of several affiliated industry organizations, including the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Allied Council and International Trade Council; Produce for Better Health Foundation Board of Directors; National Council of Agricultural Employers Board of Directors; and U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council Board of Directors. Naasz also serves as vice chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables, as appointed by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick.

Naasz is scheduled to assume his new duties as president of TFI effective June 1, 2002.

Cranney Tapped as Interim President
USApple Chairman Wittenbach today announced the selection of association vice president James (Jim) R. Cranney, Jr. as interim president. Cranney, who has worked with USApple since 1993, will serve in that capacity while the association conducts its search for a new president and chief executive officer.

“USApple’s Board of Trustees has every confidence in Jim’s ability to manage our association’s efforts during this time of transition,” said Wittenbach. “We also look forward to the process of identifying the most qualified person to lead our association’s future endeavors.”

Cranney previously served as interim president following the February 1998 resignation of USApple President and CEO A. Ellen Terpstra, who now serves as the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, and before Naasz joined USApple in June 1998.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state apple associations representing 9,000 apple growers throughout the country, as well as nearly 500 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple’s mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.