Patrick E. Brecht is President of P.E.B. Commodities, Inc, an international service company that specializes in consultation, forensics, handling, packing, storing and transporting perishable products.  He is a leading authority in the handling, packing, storing and transporting of perishable products and has headed multinational businesses for four (4) multibillion-dollar companies.  

Most recently, he co-authored Marine Container Transport of Chilled Perishable Produce, Refrigerated Trailer Transport of Perishable Products and Air Transport of Perishable Products. These books offer guidance for packaging, loading, storage and transport of perishable products and for the proper use of refrigerated equipment as well as trouble-shooting causes of poor-quality products transported by air, land and sea. 

Dr. Brecht was previously the co-manager and co-founder of Unifresh, LLC (now BV Fresh), an Internet based global inspection and surveying company specializing in perishable products.

Formerly, as Director of Special Commodities at American President Lines (APL), he managed all aspects of the company’s international refrigerated cargo transportation businesses with annual revenues of $245,000,000.  In this capacity, he developed businesses throughout the Pacific Rim.  This involved partnership with suppliers, shippers, associations, media, government officials, military, regulators, underwriters, transportation companies and importers.

As head of APL’s domestic refrigerated services company, American President Specialized Commodities, he directed the start up and operation of the first domestic refrigerated intermodal stack train service in the world.  While at APL, he authored Shipping Special Commodities and other publications.  He also pioneered and introduced innovations, notably computerized refrigerated containers.

As Corporate Director of Quality at United Brands (now Chiquita Brands), a multinational $4.5 billion company, Dr. Brecht managed worldwide quality assurance and technical services for all subsidiary companies.  In this role, he directed international and domestic quality operations involving growing, harvesting, packing, transporting, and marketing of perishable products.

He was Corporate Director of Perishable Commodities and Product Development for SeaLand Service Inc., a multinational transportation company with services throughout the world.

Dr. Patrick E. Brecht has worked in domestic and international business for over 25 years. He was a

Cornell University Professor and has a Ph.D. from University of California, Davis in Plant Physiology and Postharvest Biotechnology.