(This is an updated story from the one posted Sept. 9 on this site.)

Ron Lemaire is going green, and it has nothing to do with produce.

Mr. Lemaire, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's executive vice president and director of marketing, announced his resignation Sept. 19. He is leaving to become vice president of market development at the Canadian Green Building Council. His last day at the CPMA will be Oct. 17.

In mid-September, when Hurricane Ike was several hundred miles off the coast of Texas and barreling down on the Lone Star State, Texas Produce Association President John McClung thought he might have to postpone the association's convention one more time.

But the storm veered north and east, sparing the Rio Grande Valley from its wrath and allowing the TPA convention to be held Sept. 19-21 in McAllen, TX. "We had somewhat of a makeshift event, but it was well worth the effort," he said. "We had some excellent presentations on a variety of very important topics."

The United Fresh Produce Association announced the hiring of Patrick Delaney to the newly created post of communications manager. He will handle all incoming press inquiries, as well as research and proactive media outreach. Additionally, he will play a key role in providing content development and editing for United Fresh publications.

YOUNG HARRIS, GA -- Close to 200 people gathered Sept. 25-27 for the Southeast Produce Council's 2008 fall conference, highlighted by the election of new officers, a workshop on the state of the economy, a golf tournament and plenty of social networking events.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The Food Marketing Institute's CEO Search Committee announced Oct. 3 its selection of Leslie G. Sarasin as president and chief executive officer.

Ms. Sarasin will be presented to the FMI board at its October meeting in Boston, and she will start at FMI in early November.