Jennifer McEntire to join United Fresh as vice president of Food Safety & Technology

United Fresh Produce Association has named Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., as its new vice president of Food Safety & Technology. She succeeds David Gombas, who retired from the association June 1 after 11 years leading its food safety program.

Most recently, McEntire served as vice president for Science Operations at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. She previously was chief science officer at The Acheson Group. McEntire was previously senior staff scientist at the Institute of Food Technologists, where she managed FDA’s contract, including exploring traceability across the food industry. She also held previous positions as a visiting scientist at the Food and Drug Administration, an intern at the National Food Processors Association, and a USDA National Needs Fellow in Food Safety at Rutgers University.

McEntire received her bachelor of science degree with distinction from the University of Delaware, and her Ph.D. in food science from Rutgers University. She has received numerous honors and awards, and currently serves on the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance Steering Committee. She is a lead instructor for the Preventive Controls for Human Food course, and is a frequent speaker at academic, government and industry events.

McEntire is now concluding several projects at the Grocery Manufacturers Association and will join United Fresh in its Washington, D.C. office in July.

The announcement of McEntire’s appointment was made to the United Fresh Food Safety & Technology Council at its meeting on Monday, and to the broad association membership at the Opening General Session of United Fresh 2016 taking place in Chicago.