Jim Catchot announces retirement plans
Packer file photo, 1998
Jim Catchot, who founded JC Produce in 1980, followed by successes at foodservice and fresh-cut companies, is retiring.
Santa Paula, Calif.-based Calavo Growers Inc. said Catchot will retire Oct. 31 as president of its subsidiary, fresh-cut company Renaissance Food Group LLC (RFG).
Catchot co-founded RFG in 2003 with his brother Ken Catchot and Jim Gibson.
Gibson, who is now RFG’s chief operating officer, will succeed him as president.
Calavo acquired the fresh foods company in 2011.
“Jim Gibson will be a great successor to Jim Catchot as president,” Lee Cole, chairman, president and CEO of Calavo Growers, said in the release. “Jim’s leadership and 14 years of experience as RFG COO make him a natural choice to lead our RFG division and continue its growth and success.”
Headquartered in Rancho Cordova, Calif., RFG ships from seven fresh food facilities nationally, according to the release.
Catchot founded JC Produce in 1980, and in 1991, he was one of six founding members of foodservice company Pro*Act, served as its founding chairman. Catchot was Pro*Act’s CEO for 5 years before founding RFG, according to the release.
