Friesland, Wis.-based Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. hired Gary Stevens as director of sales and business development.
Stevens rejoins Alsum, a grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin-grown potatoes, onions and provider of other produce, after working in the specialty meats category, according to a news release.
In his new position, Stevens will procure and serve national retail, foodservice and wholesale grocer accounts.
“His knowledge of the produce industry, coupled with his wide array of work experiences in business development, sales and customer relations, make Gary a perfect fit for Alsum,” Heidi Alsum-Randall, chief operating officer of production and sales, said in the release.
Stevens has more than two decades of produce experience, starting with A&P as a produce manager. He worked with Albert’s Organics, Herbthyme Farms and served as the organic team lead at Sunfed. Most recently, he worked with national accounts at Pederson’s Natural Farms.
Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, April 6-8 in Orlando, Fla., was Steven’s first opportunity to reconnect with produce peers in person. He manned the Alsum Farms & Produce booth alongside Alsum’s Doug Posthuma.
The company was a first-time exhibitor at the show.
“I am excited to be back in produce, reconnect with peers and look forward to helping Alsum Farms & Produce on business development initiatives to grow our presence in the fresh potato and onion categories, and beyond,” Stevens said in the release. “Being at an SEPC event like Southern Exposure is like a homecoming in so many welcoming ways.”
