Robert J. Whitaker, Ph.D., Chief Science & Technology Officer

Dr. Whitaker is the Chief Science & Technology Officer for the Produce Marketing Association. In this role Dr. Whitaker has responsibility for food safety and security, environmental sustainability and technical innovations for the produce supply chain, from field to fork. He joined PMA in 2008.

Prior to Joining PMA, Dr. Whitaker’s experience includes a16-year tenure with DNA Plant Technology Corporation (DNAP) where he served as Vice President for Vegetable Research and Development, and Vice President of Product Development, managing the development of products ranging from extended life tomatoes to seedless watermelons and tobacco varieties.

In 1998, Dr. Whitaker joined NewStar as Vice President of Product Development and Quality where he developed corporate food safety programs throughout the U.S., Mexico and South America, spearheaded NewStar’s aggressive product development activities, and had operational responsibility for NewStar’s two value-added processing plants. In 2006, Dr. Whitaker became President of MissionStar Processing, where he re-organized the processing venture and streamlined operations. In early 2007, Dr. Whitaker moved back into New Star as Vice President of Innovation and Food Safety.

Actively involved in produce association activities, Dr. Whitaker has served as a volunteer leader for several industry trade groups. In 2006, Dr. Whitaker was awarded the International Fresh-cut Processors’ Association (IFPA) Technical Achievement Award for his work in food safety and product development.

Dr. Whitaker has been intimately involved in the development of the leafy greens GAP Metrics and also serves on both the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Technical Committees. In 2007, Dr. Whitaker was named to the Executive Advisory Board for the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) and serves as Chairman for the CPS Research and Technology Council (2008) which oversees the solicitation, review and funding for research projects focused on produce food safety.

Dr. Whitaker received his Ph.D. in Biology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Email Bob at: bwhitaker@pma.com