Dave’s Specialty Imports Inc. has hired Tom Rawles as operations manager, focused on grower relations.
Rawles has extensive experience with Florida berries. He joined SunnyRidge Farm Inc., Winter Haven, Fla., in 2006 as project manager, becoming operations manager in 2009. When Dole Berry Co. acquired SunnyRidge in 2011, Rawles continued with the company as director of cooling and packing. Dole promoted him to senior director of blueberry supply in 2015. He left the company in 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Rawles’ involvement in the berry industry includes farm development and management, blueberry packing, distribution facility operations, research and development, and managing grower partnerships, according a news release from Dave’s Specialty Imports, Miami.
“Tom’s experience in berry operations and managing company growth along with his excellent leadership skills make him a great fit for the Dave’s team,” Vince Ferrante, vice president of new business development, said in the release.
The family-owned company began importing berries 26 years ago, according to the release, and has focused on increasing domestic partnerships and its own growing operations in the past 10 years, according to the company. In the past seven years, the company has focused on organic berries.
The company supplies retail and foodservice customers with blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, according to the release.
