Experienced Marketing Strategist to Lead Strategic Initiatives for Mushroom Industry

The Mushroom Council has announced the appointment of Amy Wood as its new President and CEO, effective this month. This significant leadership transition follows an extensive national search to find a successor for Bart Minor, who led the Council with distinction for 26 years.

Amy Wood, a seasoned marketing strategist with over two decades of experience in food marketing and communications, steps into her new role with a wealth of knowledge, particularly in produce marketing. Her primary responsibilities will include the development and management of strategic marketing, communication, research, and promotion programs. These initiatives aim to enhance the visibility and consumption of fresh mushrooms, thereby ensuring profitable returns for U.S. mushroom farms and importers.

Before joining the Mushroom Council, Wood was the Senior Vice President of Food Strategy at Curious Plot, an integrated food and agriculture marketing communications agency. During her tenure at Curious Plot, she was pivotal in planning and executing numerous initiatives for the Mushroom Council, such as the Blended Burger Project, Feed Your Immune System, and Mushroom Monday. Her extensive portfolio also includes work with clients like the California Avocado Commission, the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and Sun World International.

Michael Stephan, Chairman of the Mushroom Council, expressed his confidence in Wood’s capabilities, stating, “Amy is a true food marketing strategist and leader who not only is ready to go on day one because of her near decade of immersion in the mushroom industry but also because of her vast background leading and counseling marketing teams for dozens of commodity boards and organizations.”

Wood herself acknowledged the unique challenges and opportunities ahead, noting, “Like so many other commodity boards and associations, the mushroom industry finds itself at the critical intersection of maintaining its loyal customer base while expanding and attracting new shoppers. I look forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Mushroom Council is comprised of fresh market producers and importers who collectively average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The Council operates under the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990, which authorizes programs designed to expand, maintain, and develop markets for agricultural commodities both in the United States and internationally. These initiatives are industry-funded and serve to promote the commodities they represent.

For additional details about the Mushroom Council and its initiatives, visit mushroomcouncil.com.