McLean, Va. – The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today announced the promotion of Julia Stewart Daly to the position of vice president of public relations, where she will manage the association’s national apple nutrition research and promotion program.

“Our industry views Julia as a valued asset,” said USApple President and Chief Executive Officer Kraig R. Naasz in announcing Daly’s promotion. “Julia is the driving force behind our association’s apple nutrition promotion program’s top-notch results, including several recent studies indicating the positive health benefits of apples and apple products and an award-winning ‘Healthy Santa’ campaign.”

Daly joined USApple as director of communications in 1993, where she managed the association’s membership, industry outreach and crisis communications activities. In 2000, Daly assumed the position of director of public relations. In that capacity, Daly oversaw USApple’s consumer health-promotion activities, which target media, health professionals and other educators. Additionally, Daly directed the activities of USApple’s public relations firm, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., Kansas City.

In her new role as vice president of public relations, Daly will be charged with designing and implementing media and other consumer nutrition campaigns to boost U.S. apple consumption, and coordinating the association’s apple nutrition research program.

“We have a great story to share about U.S. apples and apple products, and the wide range of health benefits they offer,” said Daly. “Our apple nutrition program is building momentum, which we expect to lead to increased apple consumption.”

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.