Grimmway Produce Group says its president and CEO, Jeff Huckaby, will transition to the company’s chief agricultural officer. Huckaby has been the company’s CEO since 2016. Ken Silveira, who brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in the fresh produce industry, will take over the role of CEO.
The company says Huckaby’s transition to chief agricultural officer will allow him to dedicate his full attention to GPG’s farming operations. The company says Huckaby felt the company would benefit from his sole focus on the farming operations, as the company’s agricultural footprint has grown significantly in size and complexity.
“Ken’s experience in the agricultural sector has given him the years of experience that make him an ideal candidate to lead our organization,” Huckaby says.
Silveira most recently served as president of Bengard Ranch. He previously served as CEO of The VPS Companies, president of Mastronardi Produce-West and spent nearly two decades with Tanimura & Antle, where he was also president and COO. Silveira has also served on several industry boards, including the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, Stemilt Growers and Earthbound Farms.
“Ken’s experience in the agricultural sector has given him the years of experience that make him an ideal candidate to lead our organization,” Huckaby says.
Huckaby, a fourth-generation carrot farmer, joined Grimmway in 1998 as a ranch manager, where he went on to lead the company’s organic farming efforts. He was named Grimmway’s executive vice president in 2006 and president in 2016.
The company says Huckaby has been instrumental in guiding it through rapid growth and major change. The organization now farms, grows and harvests across 19 states and four Canadian provinces, supported by hundreds of sheds and 20 facilities.
During his time at Grimmway, Huckaby was appointed to the California Department of Food and Agriculture State Board and the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, contributing his experience to agricultural policy at the state and national levels.
“As I head into what some would consider the twilight of my career, I am excited to be returning to my roots on the farm,” Huckaby says. “Since my time as a young boy on my grandfather’s farm, it has always been clear that being in the field is truly my first love. I am excited to be spending dedicated time fine-tuning what is already considered a top-tier and extensive farming operation.”
