River Fresh Farms, Salinas, Calif., has hired David Martinez as senior vice president of business development.
Martinez, who has been vice president of sales at D’Arrigo Bros. of California, Salinas, since 2011, where he played an instrumental role in strategic and business planning, according to a news release. Before that, he was in sales at Merrill Farms, Salinas, for about 5 ½ years.
Vice president of business development is a new title at River Fresh, and Martinez will lead a national expansion in retail and foodservice sales, according to the release, and develop new distribution channels.
“I’ve known and admired Dave for most of the more than 25 years he’s been leading produce sales and executive teams in the Salinas Valley,” Vince Ballesteros, River Fresh CEO and founder, said in the release. “We’re thrilled to now have his experience, energy and customer relationship focus on the River Fresh team.”
The company’s vice presidents of business development report to Martinez.
“Everybody’s energy and enthusiasm are invigorating, but most important to me is the culture and commitment to customer service, along with the creative concepts they’ve developed to simplify the supply chain and better serve our clients,” Martinez said in the release. “It’s a great opportunity for me to bring my vast experience to a smaller, rapidly growing company.”
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