Bruce Ferree

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Bruce Ferrree Bruce is a food industry professional with over 25 years of experience. He received his B.S. in Food Technology from Colorado State University. Quality management has been his career focus with experiences across several products categories i.e. meats and poultry, dairy, aseptic, grains and sugars. He has conducted internal and external food safety training, auditing consulting. His objective has always been to ensure the quality of the ingredients/food supply so that everyone can consume safe products.

Bruce is presently the Director of Quality at California Natural Products. He has been an active member of IFT for 30 years and a professional member for over 20 years. He has served as a leader and member of numerous committees at the Section level and National level. He also served on the IFT By-Laws Committee during the last rewrite and re-organization of IFT, later serving as Chair. He served the Northern California IFT Section as Chair in 2000 and was honored by the Section as Outstanding Member in 2005.

Bruce is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality and is certified as a Quality Auditor and HACCP Auditor. He is also a member of the International Association for Food Protection.

Living in the central valley of California affords Bruce the opportunity to be on both sides of the food industry as he and his wife of 26+ years have property where they can produce their own fresh fruits and vegetables. This gives him a greater appreciation of 'field to fork'. He stays active with this small farm, his work, and his involvement in IFT as his primary professional organization. In his spare time, he likes to travel, meet new people and get his exercise by jogging outdoors. As Chair of NCIFT, he said many times we only need to do 3 things: 1-take care of the people that got us to this point, that did the hard work to create and build the organization to what it is today, 2-take care of our future, the students and next generation of IFT, and 3-make it fun (if it's not fun, who wants to do it?).

What do you feel you can contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT?
What I will contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT is 1- my industry connection to the science provided by and coordinated by IFT, and 2-my enthusiasm for IFT.

Being in industry, I'm connected every day to the science that IFT generates from all the specific fields of food science. I know how IFT science has aided industry and my contribution will be to assure that appropriate and sound science continues to be developed, recognized and available for use by industry.

I'm much too enthusiastic to be content with the status quo for IFT. I've been involved in some of the mundane activities needed to ensure IFT moves forward (By-Laws Committee) and in some of the exciting events (the AMFE's and IFTSA Fun Runs). Each has its rewards. I will contribute my enthusiasm for IFT to ensure that there is advancement of food technology and communication of sound science.

What are the three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry that align with IFT's goals and how would you address these as a member of the Board of Directors?
First - Assuring that sound science is used - Being that influential advocate for the science of food. In my mind, this is really the basis for the IFT. IFT should be more in the public view as the 'go to authority' providing sound science information to everyone about foods. IFT presently is visible to the regulatory agencies and Congress but not to average consumers. Because of this, I believe consumers are able to find others that present their viewpoints as science. This creates confusion for consumers and teaches the consumer to believe in non-rational science. As IFT, I believe we need to be as visible and vocal as groups like CSPI. IFT should have a greater media presence, presenting true unadulterated science (which can be conflicting) and helping consumers make proper choices based on education, not radicalization.

Next - Financing for research that drives sound science (innovation and research). IFT's mission is to advance the science of food. To do this, we need to be visible where financial opportunities are, to garner funds and assure that funding is available for the scientists that are doing the basic research and innovation in our industry. I'd like to push IFT to be more of an advocate for additional funding for this work, whether from the government or from industries, endowments or foundations.

Finally - Member involvement: IFT exists because of its members. We are a community of like-minded people interested in the science of food. We need to continue finding more and better ways to engage our members.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors and how has your work and volunteer experiences prepared you to be a strategic board member?
As an active long-time member of IFT, I believe I understand the organization and can be helpful in continuing our mission. After working on elements within IFT like committees and panels and task forces, I feel that now is my chance to use that knowledge to assist in setting the strategic direction for the organization.

As a volunteer leader, I've learned how to influence others. As an industry leader, I've gained an understanding of personnel management, organizational management, and motivation for those who trade their efforts for a paycheck. These are tools that are used routinely as a member of the Board of Directors. I've gained the trust of employees and employers with my abilities to assure a topic is properly understood and then acted upon.

In quality management, the goal is consistency. To gain that, we must plan to assure all tasks involved are completed consistently. When the plan is not adhered to, deviations occur. Each deviation is learning. We learn that people are not educated properly on more than just the 'how', but also the 'why'. My management skills are in helping people to understand the 'why' of each situation and I want to contribute to the IFT Board of Directors by applying these planning and training skills. The skills developed in industry will help me contribute to the creation of strategic plans and also by assuring our members understand the 'why' of IFT's actions.

What defines a successful board and how would you contribute?
A successful Board does not need to be in agreement at all times. Yet, a board that is in continuous conflict is dysfunctional. I believe a successful Board needs to be one where members are able to express their individual viewpoints in a manner that is professional. It is one where individuals may disagree but will also seek consensus, looking for the best solution or direction for all IFT members.

Successful Boards must seek what is best for the membership, not the individual members. Successful Boards use their consensus gathering abilities to assure that the appropriate direction is determined. Successful Boards use their management and presentation skills to assure that the organization understands, accepts and works in that direction. A successful Board is no different from a successful company where the management team provides the direction and the excitement to achieve appropriate goals.

I am known as a consensus seeker as well as a person who makes decisions when the time is called for. My business and personnel skills are used every day at work and will be put to work at the same level of dedication and excitement for IFT if elected to the Board of Directors.

Formal Education
Colorado State University: BS, Food Technology, 1983

Career History

Organization	Position(s) Held	Dates of Employment
California Naturals Products	Director of Quality	2003-Present
Silliker Laboratories and TFIS	Auditor/Trainer/Consultant/Vice President	1999-2003
Leprino Foods	Quality Control Manager	1986-1998
Longmont Foods	Assistant Director of Quality	1983-1985

Leadership Experience

Organization	Position	Dates Held
Institute of Food Technologists	Higher Education Review Board	2010-Present
Institute of Food Technologists	AMFE Host Committee, Co-Chair	2012
Quality Assurance and Food Safety Magazine	Advisory Board	2011-Present
Institute of Food Technologists	Curriculum Guidelines Committee	2009-2011
Institute of Food Technologists	Foundation Corporate Advisory Committee	2008-2010
ASQ	CHA Exam Review Board	2009
Institute of Food Technologists	Annual Meeting & Food Expo Arrangements Committee, Co-Chair	2004
Institute of Food Technologists	Constitution and Bylaws Committee	2004-2007
Institute of Food Technologists	Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Chair	2007-2008
Institute of Food Technologists	Council Issues and Agenda Committee, Western Region Chair	2001-2002 and 2005-2006
Institute of Food Technologists	Foundation Scholarship Juror	2007-Present
Institute of Food Technologists	Award Juror	2001-2004 and 2009-2010
Institute of Food Technologists	Awards Committee, Cruess Award Jury Chair	1999-2000
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Chair-Elect	1998-1999
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Chair	1999-2000
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Councilor	1991-1994, 2000-2003, and 2005-2007
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Bylaws Committee	2000-2008
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Outstanding Member Committee Chair	2001-2004
Institute of Food Technologists	Northern California Section, Outstanding Member Committee	2007
Institute of Food Technologists	Central Valley Subsection of NCIFT, Chair	1989-1990 and 2000-2001
Institute of Food Technologists	Central Valley Subsection of NCIFT, Program Chair	1987-1988
Institute of Food Technologists	NCIFT/Western Food Industries Conference, Co-Chair and Organizing Committee	1990

Professional and Community Recognition

NCIFT, selected as Outstanding Member - 2005 recognizes the individual or individuals that were the most outstanding in efforts and contributions to Northern California Section of IFT. Formerly known as the Member of the Year.