Salinas, Calif.-based vegetable grower-shipper Bengard Ranch has named Ken Silveira as president.
Silveira’s 35 years of fresh produce experience includes a tenure as CEO of Inn Foods, serving as president of Mastronardi Produce-West for 14 years and a 20-year stint with Tanimura & Antle that included serving as president and chief operating officer for the final five years, according to a news release. He also served on boards of directors for the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, Stemilt Growers and Earthbound Farms and was chair of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association.
“Ken is an ideal leader to help guide us to the next level. His knowledge of the issues facing today’s grower-shipper community regarding retail consolidation, building customer relationships, and working with both the commodity and value-added sides of the business will serve him extremely well,” Bengard Ranch board member and CEO Bardin Bengard said in the release. “Ken’s strategic insight and inherent management abilities will allow him to inspire our strong team and continue Bengard Ranch’s legacy of quality and excellence as we enhance our organization for future growth.”
“We are extremely impressed with Ken’s extensive leadership experience, track record and clear passion for this great industry,” said Kirk Martin, board chairman for Bengard Ranch. “We are confident he is well positioned to bring extraordinary value to the company and will continue to drive success for future generations.”
Silveira began his new role July 22, the release said.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining Bengard Ranch. Their legacy of quality is unparalleled in fresh produce,” Silveira said. “I’m fortunate to have worked with industry-leading companies throughout my career and Bengard Ranch’s assets offer the greatest opportunity and future possibilities of any I’ve ever seen.
“Surrounded by a strong board, our long-tenured senior management team is looking to leverage the family’s 63 years of knowledge, experience and success to compete at the highest levels of the industry,” he continued. “I thrive in family-owned businesses, and Bengard Ranch’s rich culture and values are second to none.”
Founded in 1961, Bengard Ranch is a vertically integrated company, farming on nearly 20,000 acres, the release said. With operations in California, Arizona, Florida and Mexico, the company supplies fresh vegetables to retail, foodservice, distributors and processing organizations throughout North America.
