Board Member Nominations

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NATIONAL MANGO BOARD 2024 NOMINATIONS

Nominations Update

The 2024 nominations is closed at this time. The nominations process opened on January 8th, 2024 and closed on February 29th, 2024.

2024 NOMINATIONS PROCESS BACKGROUND

The 2024 nominations process for the 2025-2027 positions is closed. In 2024, the positions that were open were: two Foreign Producers (2), two District I importers (2), one Domestic Producer (1) and one First Handler (1).

Mango industry members who are interested in serving as a member of the NMB in the future should read below for complete details and the necessary forms. Questions about the nominations and appointment process can be directed to the NMB’s Operations Manager, Ms. Gabriela Rocha at nominations@mango.org or by phone at 407-629-7318 x112.

NOMINATIONS PROCESS

For each type of position, the process is slightly different. What they have in common is that the industry and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture each have a role in selecting the individuals who will serve. The NMB staff does not have any role or influence over decisions made by USDA.

These are simplified descriptions meant to provide an overview of the process. If you would like to learn more about the detailed nominations process, please contact us at nominations@mango.org.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The National Mango Board (NMB) encourages industry members to participate without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, size of business/operations, and marital or family status or other basis protected by the U.S. Law to participate in NMB activities and seek a position on the NMB.

IMPORTER POSITION

The NMB is currently seeking nominations from mango importers to fill two (2) member seats in District I on the NMB.

According to the Mango Order, in order to be eligible to serve on the Board as an importer, a person must import 500,000 or more pounds of mangos into the U.S. in a calendar year as a principal or as an agent, broker, or consignee of any person who produces or handles mangos outside of the U.S., and who is listed by the Customs and Border Protection of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the importer of record.

As a mango importer, you qualify to nominate yourself or someone else for the importer position on the board in the forthcoming election. If you are interested in serving, you will have to complete and return a Nomination and Statement of Eligibility & Commitment form, which will be available on our website in early 2024.

If you would like to nominate someone else, you will need to obtain a Statement of Eligibility & Commitment form from the other person certifying that he or she meets the eligibility requirements, is willing to be nominated, and if appointed, to serve on the Board. If you are nominating more than one person, please make copies of the form or contact us for additional forms.

Once eligible importers have been identified, a ballot will be prepared and mailed to all eligible importers to determine those importers to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) for selection. Two names will be needed for each available position. The Secretary will then appoint two importers to serve on the Board.

Download District One Packet

English
Spanish
Creole
Portuguese

DOMESTIC PRODUCER POSITION

In 2024, The NMB is currently seeking nominations from domestic producers to fill one (1) seat on the board.

According to the Mango Order, in order to be eligible to serve on the Board as a domestic producer, a person must be engaged in the production and sale of domestic mangos in the United States and who owns, or shares the ownership and risk of loss of, the crop or a person who is engaged in the business of producing, or causing to be produced, domestic mangos beyond the person's own family use and having value at first point of sale to the United States.

If you are interested in serving, you will have to complete and return a Nomination and Statement of Eligibility & Commitment form, which will be available on this website in early 2024. If you would like to nominate someone else, you will need to obtain a Statement of Eligibility & Commitment form from the other person certifying that he or she meets the eligibility requirements, is willing to be nominated, and if appointed, to serve on the Board. If you are nominating more than one person, please make copies of the form or contact us for additional forms.

Once eligible domestic producers have been identified, a ballot will be prepared and mailed to all eligible domestic producers to determine those domestic producers to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) for selection. Two names will be needed for each position available. The Secretary will then appoint one domestic producer to serve on the Board.

Download Domestic Producer Packet

English
Spanish
Portuguese
Creole

FIRST HANDLER POSITION

In 2024, The NMB is currently seeking nominations from first handlers to fill one (1) member seat on the NMB.

According to the Mango Order, in order to be eligible to serve on the Board as a first handler a person (excluding a common or contract carrier) must be engaged in receiving 500,000 or more pounds of domestic mangos from producers in a calendar year and who as owner, agent, or otherwise ships or causes domestic mangos to be shipped as specified in this Order. This definition includes those engaged in the business of buying, selling and/or offering for sale; receiving; packing; grading; marketing; or distributing domestic mangos in commercial quantities. The term first handler includes a producer who handles or markets domestic mangos of the producer's own production.

As a first handler, you qualify to nominate yourself or someone else for the first handler position on the board in the forthcoming election. If you are interested in serving, you will have to complete and return a Nomination and Statement of Eligibility & Commitment form, which will be available on this website. If you would like to nominate someone else, you will need to obtain a Statement of Eligibility & Commitment from the other person certifying that he or she meets the eligibility requirements, is willing to be nominated, and if appointed, to serve on the Board.

Once eligible first handlers have been identified, a ballot will be prepared and mailed to all first handlers to determine those first handlers to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) for selection. Two names will be needed for the position available. The Secretary will then appoint one first handler to serve on the Board.

Download First Handler Packet

English
Spanish
Portuguese
Creole

FOREIGN PRODUCER POSITION

In 2024, The NMB is currently seeking nominations from foreign producers to fill two (2) seats on the board.

According to the Mango Order, in order to be eligible to serve on the Board as a foreign producer, a person must be engaged in the production and sale of mangos outside of the United States and own, or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop for sale in the U.S. market or is engaged, outside of the United States, in the business of producing, or causing to be produced, mangos beyond the person’s own family use and having value at first point of sale to the United States.

Once eligible foreign producers have been identified, those foreign producers’ names will be submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for selection. The Secretary will then appoint two foreign producers to serve on the Board.

Download Foreign Producer Packet

English
Spanish
Portuguese
Creole


NATIONAL MANGO BOARD MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. Understand and comply with the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act), the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), rules and regulations, and USDA guidelines.
    2. Be dedicated to the mission, goals, and objectives of the Mango Board (Board). Represent the members of the mango industry.
      1. Act as ambassador of the NMB
      2. Speak on behalf of the NMB
      3. Represent NMB to peers.
    3. Serve the industry impartially, making decisions based on the welfare of the industry as a whole rather than on personal or business considerations. To ensure fair and equal treatment of all industry peers in market promotion and research programs.
    4. Regularly attend the Mango Board meetings and come prepared to discuss the issues and business to be addressed.
    5. Select Board officers, committees, and subcommittees at the start of each fiscal period or at other appropriate times.
    6. Appoint an executive committee and delegate authority to administer duties under Board direction and within Board policies.
    7. Develop Board policies, bylaws, and procedures for approval by USDA for Board implementation and recommend amendments to rules and regulations under the Order, as necessary.
    8. Ensure staff compliance with the Act, Order, rules and regulations, bylaws, Board policies and procedures, and USDA policies.
    9. Develop programs and projects to carry out the mission of the Board (use a fiscal year marketing plan) and forward to USDA for approval prior to implementation. Enter into contracts or agreements to develop and carry out approved programs and projects. Secure USDA approval prior to implementation of contracts and agreements.
    10. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility by performing the following: recommend an assessment rate; prepare fiscal budgets; amend budgets as necessary; set a reserve; ensure that the staff issues monthly financial reports and accurate records of Board actions and transactions; ensure that the books of the board are audited each fiscal year; and evaluate the effectiveness of all programs and projects to assure wise stewardship of industry funds.
    11. Ensure efficient and timely enforcement of the Act and Order by staff; ensure identification, investigation/audit of violators and the complete documentation of cases and a timely referral of compliance cases to USDA.
    12. Assist in securing qualified candidates for membership on the Board.
    13. Promote industry unity. Advise the industry of the Board's mission, goals, objectives, projects, and programs. Support the programs, projects, and actions of the Board outside of its meetings.
    14. Make decisions for the good of the entire industry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NOMINATIONS - MANGO BOARD POSITIONS

  1. What is the deadline for submitting nominations to NMB office? Nominations must be received at the NMB's office by February 29, 2024, by 6:00pm. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  2. Which positions will be available for the current nominations?

The following positions that will be available are:

    • Two (2) Foreign Producers
    • Two (2) District I importers
    • One (1) Domestic Producer
    • One (1) First Handler - For nominations packet visit:

3. What areas include the NMB Importer Districts?

4. How is the process for domestic producers and importers going to be conducted?

  1. NMB staff will send nomination packets to industry members.
  2. After receiving nominations from industry members, NMB staff will mail or e mail ballots, listing the candidates in alphabetical order.
  3. For each position, the nominee who receives the highest number of votes and the nominee who receives the second highest number of votes will be the nominees to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture and in this order, (i.e.in the current nominations, four names will be submitted for importers in District 1.)
  4. NMB staff will send background forms to these nominees.
  5. NMB staff will submit the number of votes and background information forms for each candidate to the Secretary. Of the two nominee names submitted for each position, the Secretary will appoint the NMB member,(i.e.in the current nominations, two importers for District I District IV District III District II District I)

5. Who is eligible to be nominated or to vote for domestic producers, first handlers, and importers?

All known eligible domestic producers, first handlers and importers (produced or importer on record of 500,000 pounds or more of fresh mangos into the United States in the last calendar year). Reference the Mango Promotion, research and Information Order for more information.

6. Can a company that has office locations in different Districts submit nominees for each of the Districts?

Yes.

7. Can a company that has an office location in only one District submit more than one nominee?

Yes.

8. In the instances an industry member performs multiple tasks, for example, domestic producer, first handler and importer, can this industry member be nominated for all the three (3) categories?

Yes, they can nominate themselves and/or be nominated by their peers to all three (3) categories if they meet the eligibility requirements.

9. How is voting for domestic producers, first handlers, and importers going to be made?

Voting will be done by e-mail ballot.

10. Can a company that has office locations in different Districts vote in each District?

Yes. For example, if a company operates in both District I and District II, the company may cast votes for both District I and District II if seats are available.

11. How is the process for foreign producers going to be conducted?

  • Foreign producers should be nominated by a Foreign Mango Organization (FMO) or can nominate themselves.
  • NMB staff will solicit the names of nominees from known FMOs of the six (6) major mango producing countries exporting to the U.S.
  • FMOs of each country may submit two nominees’ names for each position
  • NMB staff will also send a press release to the FMOs and ask them to send it out to the media.
  • NMB staff will submit the names of all candidates to the Secretary of Agriculture.
  • Out of the candidates submitted, the Secretary will appoint two (2) NMB members.