Doral, Fla.-based J&C Tropicals has added Alexina Prather as its lead sustainability and compliance manager.
Prather brings more than five years of sustainability practices to the family-owned tropical produce grower and distributor, according to a news release.
“Alexina embodies our unequivocal commitment to vertical tropical excellence,” J&C Tropicals CEO Jessie Capote said. “She brings to the table the necessary experience and foresight our senior leadership team believes will catapult J&C Tropicals into the future.”
Prather, a graduate of the University of Miami, has a master’s degree in sustainable business and a bachelor’s degree in social entrepreneurship from Northeastern University.
“My goal is to ensure our global supply chain is supported in staying compliant while also uplifting the business,” Prather said.
The company said Prather’s responsibilities will include elevating its food safety program and educating suppliers on how to be in social compliance. She will also support companies to attain certifications in organic farming and fair trade practices. J&C Tropicals said she will implement programs focused on reducing overall environmental impact, diverting food waste and increasing sustainable packaging.
Prior to joining J&C Tropicals, she directed a program that supports minority and women-owned small business owners in Miami-Dade County to apply for federal funding and access additional forms of support, according to the release. She also worked for One Acre Fund, a nonprofit social enterprise based in East Africa focused on helping smallholder farmers get asset-based loans.
Prather will report directly to Salvador Fernandez, vice president of operations for J&C Tropicals.
“Investing in sustainability and compliance from farming practices to packaging solutions naturally unlocks value, revenue growth and cost savings along the entire food and agriculture value chain,” Fernandez said. “This represents the next great chapter in our company’s commitment to delivering exceptional tropical produce and experiences to the world.”
