We are very pleased to announce that our Keynote Speaker for Southern Exposure 2012 will be the Honorable Adam H. Putnam, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.
 


As Florida's eleventh Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam H. Putnam is committed to serving the people of Florida by fostering new employment opportunities, stewarding the state's resources and protecting consumers from those who would prey on them.
 
Commissioner Putnam serves as the leader of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, an agency of 13 divisions, 5 offices and approximately 3,800 employees that works to support the agriculture industry and safeguard consumers. Commissioner Putnam also serves as a member of Florida’s Cabinet, alongside Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
 
Commissioner Putnam was elected on November 2, 2010, and sworn in on January 4, 2011.
 
Prior to his role as Commissioner, Putnam served five terms as Congressman for Florida’s 12th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. While in Congress, Putnam was elected by his colleagues to be Chairman of the House Republican Conference, the highest elected leadership position any Floridian of either party has held in Washington. Putnam also served as a member of the House Committees on Government Reform, Rules, Agriculture and Financial Services.
 
Throughout his Congressional career, Putnam was recognized as a leader on a variety of issues, most notably agriculture, food safety, childhood nutrition, energy and government efficiency.
 
Before serving in Congress, Putnam was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. There, he quickly became Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, leading on the many issues facing Florida's dynamic agriculture industry, including property rights, water and the Everglades.
 
A fifth generation cattle rancher and citrus grower, Putnam continues to farm with his family in Polk County. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Resource Economics.
Putnam and his wife, Melissa, have four children.
 

The 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

We are very pleased to announce the recipient of the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Reggie Griffin. Please join us at the Keynote Luncheon as we honor Reggie for his outstanding produce career.

The Lifetime Achievement is co-sponsored by The Produce News.



Reggie Griffin 
The Kroger Company (retired)

Reggie Griffin began working with the Kroger Co. at age 16 while a junior in high school, taking a job as a part-time bagger and part-time produce clerk in 1969 in his hometown of Paris, TN.

During his time with the company, he served Kroger in cities across the nation including Murray, KY; Memphis, TN; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; and finally Cincinnati. He worked for the retailer through college, seizing the opportunity as a way to pay for his education.

During his first decade on the job, Griffin held several positions including assistant produce manager, produce manager and assistant produce buyer. Following his graduation from Memphis University in 1977, Griffin decided to turn his time with Kroger into a career. 

He moved to Dallas and became the sole produce buyer for the division. He also served as zone manager in the Houston division and the produce merchandiser in the Southwest division. Griffin eventually found himself in Cincinnati as corporate director of procurement for produce and floral before finally being promoted to vice president of produce and floral merchandising and procurement for Kroger in 2001.

Griffin has also worked in various supporting roles throughout the produce industry including the chairman of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, past president of the Houston Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, chairman of the United Fresh Produce Association and a board member of the Produce Marketing Association.

After 42 years with the nation’s second largest retailer, Griffin retired as the Kroger’s top produce executive on October 29, 2011.