James Gorny, Ph.D. currently serves as executive director of the Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center which is part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis and receives support from the Plant Sciences Department and the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources division. He leads the center’s internationally recognized efforts in providing technical information and knowledge to all sectors of the postharvest value chain regarding means of maintaining the quality, safety and marketability of fresh fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. Jim works directly with Cooperative Extension specialists / advisors and faculty members from the University of California and other leading academic institutions; international, national, and regional trade associations and boards; and retail and food service companies to assist them in improving postharvest handling practices throughout the distribution chain.

Prior to joining the Postharvest Center at UC Davis, Dr. Gorny served for seven years as Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Technology for the United Fresh Produce Association / International Fresh-cut Produce Association which merged in 2006. As the association's chief food safety and technology officer, he has advocated the membership’s interests before health and safety regulatory officials, the Bush administration, and Congress. He was also one of the founding principals of Davis Fresh Technologies, where he served in a consulting and advisory role to the produce industry in a wide range of postharvest technology applications.

Dr. Gorny received his Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of California at Davis in 1995, and his B.S. and M.S. degrees in food science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He is the author and editor of numerous scientific and technical publications pertaining to the quality and safety of fresh produce. He is also the 2005 recipient of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association Technical Award. Actively involved in the fresh produce industry since 1986, Dr. Gorny has worked extensively on perishables quality and food safety issues including development and implementation of Good Agricultural Practices, modified atmosphere packaging design, quality assurance, operations, and general management issues, both nationally and internationally.

• Palumbo, M., J.R. Gorny, and D. Gombas. 2007. Recommendations to Consumers, Retail and Food Service Operators Regarding Rewashing Ready-To-Eat Lettuce/Leafy Green Salads. Developed in collaboration by United, IFPA and the California Department of Health Services, Food & Drug Branch. Food Protection Trends 27(11):892–898
• Gorny, J.R., H. Giclas, D. Gombas and K. Means (eds). 2006. Commodity Specific Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chain. Gorny, J.R. Editor-In-Chief and H. Giclas, D. Gombas and K. Means Co-Editors. International Fresh-cut Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and Western Growers. Washington, D.C.
• Fleming, P., B. Pool and J.R. Gorny (eds). 2005. Commodity Specific Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain. Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Washington, D.C.
• Gorny, J.R. 2005. Microbial contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. In: The Microbiology of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. G. Sapers, A. Youssef and J.R. Gorny (eds). CRC Press Boca Raton, FL.