Jay Guzman has been appointed as vice president for growth and gratitude for Thx!, an organization that says it aims to impact the fresh produce industry through a commitment to social responsibility.
Guzman will play a pivotal role in building and expanding strategic partnerships with retailers, brands, and growers across Thx!'s global network in the newly created role, according to a news release.
Thx! says Guzman, a 15-year veteran of the fresh produce industry, will provide strategic vision and guidance, leveraging his relationships with growers, packers, shippers and retailers across the produce supply chain to forge new partnerships.
Guzman joins Thx! from Fair Trade USA, where he most recently served as director of national retail partnerships. In this role, he helped steward the Fair Trade Certified program’s growth across categories with several major U.S. retailers.
“I am incredibly proud to have the opportunity to work with a team that is truly innovating the consumer experience by sharing the stories of our farmworkers and how their purchases contribute to making dreams come true,” Guzman said in the release.
“We are delighted to welcome Jay to the Thx! team and confident that his vast experience in produce and passion for ethical worker programs make him a huge asset to Thx! and a strategic leader for our programs,” said Thx! Chief Dreams Officer Martin Casanova. “We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.”
Thx! Chief Imagination Officer Raul Fernandez echoed the sentiment.
“With Jay’s deep retail knowledge, we only expect the value for Thx! partners to grow even stronger,” Fernandez said. “This win-win scenario between Thx! and its retailers and suppliers allows us to empower farmworkers, engage shoppers and create a more sustainable future for the industry.”
Thx! says it is on a mission to expand its social impact program so that it may empower and help more farmworkers while fostering personal connections between them and consumers. The organization says its platform generates value for the entire supply chain, fostering enriching relationships with brands and their consumers, retailers and their shoppers, and allowing these shoppers the chance to do good with their purchases.
Guzman will join Casanova, Fernandez and the Thx! team at the upcoming International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce and Floral Show this October in Atlanta, the release said. Attendees can visit the Thx! booth to learn more about its mission and connecting with conscious consumers.
