Meet the Staff

William was named the first Executive Director of the National Mango Board at the organization’s inception in 2006. For 13 years, he served as Executive Director of the National Watermelon Promotion Board, guiding the NWPB from its inception into a highly successful national promotion program. Prior to this, he worked as Assistant to the Manager of Texas Citrus Mutual and the Texas Vegetable Association in McAllen Texas. William began his 26-year produce industry career as a grower/shipper of sweet onions, watermelons and blueberries from Tyler, Texas, where he also owned and managed a retail/wholesale produce market.

Megan joined the National Mango Board in the spring of 2007. Starting as a Marketing Specialist, she supported the board’s marketing and communications programs. In 2008, Megan was promoted to Marketing Manager primarily due to her management of the foodservice program and higher profile involvement in the consumer program. After 5 years of service to the National Mango Board, Megan is now the Director of Marketing overseeing the board’s consumer, foodservice and retail marketing initiatives as well as trade media outreach, industry communications and website presence. Prior to the NMB, Megan was a Marketing Coordinator for the Historical Society of Central Florida where she acquired strong marketing and public relations experience.

Melanie joined the National Mango Board in 2012 as the Marketing Manager. Melanie is responsible for coordinating marketing and public relations programs in addition to coordinating tradeshow outreach and website communications. Prior to joining the NMB, Melanie honed her expertise in the marketing field and knack for communications as the Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for an Orlando-based law firm.

Kristine joined the National Mango Board in 2012 as the Communications Specialist. Kristine is responsible for industry communications, including trade media and the Mango Connection. Kristine attended and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications with a strong focus in marketing.

Leonardo is an agronomist with a PhD degree in agricultural economics who spent more than 15 years at the university level in Venezuela teaching and conducting research and extension programs. In 2007, Leonardo joined the National Mango Board staff as the Research Specialist and in 2008 he was promoted to Director of Research where he coordinates all the research activities of the NMB, including production, post-harvest, nutrition and consumer research programs.

Marilda has a law degree from a Brazilian university and practiced law for several years in Brazil. She also has a postgraduate degree in Administration and Planning. She founded a language school in Brazil where she managed 12 full-time employees in all departments for nearly 20 years. In 2007, Marilda joined the NMB staff as Industry Relations Specialist, where she manages all U.S. and foreign outreach, industry communications and nominations.  In 2011, Marilda was promoted to Director of Industry Relations.

Amy joined the National Mango Board in July 2005, as its Administrative Coordinator, and in 2006 was named Operations Manager of the NMB. Amy has been pivotal in the creation and development of the organization and has been responsible for ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for the board's financial functions, and developing, implementing and improving organizational strategies and policies in collaboration with the executive director, staff and the NMB board members.