Mr. Conrad, 48, was a co-founder of the National Genetics Institute, a provider of advanced genetics testing services for blood screening, medical testing and clinical research, and has been its Chief Scientific Officer since 1992. The National Genetics Institute is now a subsidiary of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE: LH), where Mr. Conrad is Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer. Mr. Conrad is Chairman of the Corporate Compensation and Benefits Committee of Dole s Board of Directors, and he also serves on its Audit Committee and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr. Conrad s scientific background (he received his Ph.D. in Cell Biology and has more than 85 publications in scientific and medical journals) makes him an invaluable member of the Board of Directors, as Mr. Conrad is the only member of the Board with a technical scientific background. Science is a significant consideration in the Company s business, not only in the initial stages of growing product and ensuring its freshness from packaging to purchase by the end user, but also in the Company s focus on consumer health and well-being. Mr. Conrad provides great insight to the Board on these and other scientific matters. Mr. Conrad has served as a director of the Company for more than seven years.