The Next Big Thing Growers’ Cooperative, Wenatchee, Wash., has hired Jennifer Parkhill as executive director.
Parkhill most recently was Northeast Region category manager of produce at foodservice distributor US Foods. She joined US Foods in early 2000 as director of marketing and was promoted to senior manager of region marketing for the Northeast.
At The Next Big Thing, she’ll develop strategic plans to advance its mission, promoting the co-op brand, and oversee its operations and finances, according to a news release.
The 45 members of the cooperative grow and market SweeTango, Kissabel and other managed apple varieties.
“Jennifer’s energy and deep experience in launching new products is a perfect skill fit for us,” West Mathison, president of Stemilt Growers and a member of The Next Big Thing, said in the release.
At US Foods, Parkhill helped launch new products and services, led deployments of structure change, and developed promotional and marketing plans.
“I am excited to get started and dive deep into the operations of the NBT Cooperative,” she said in the release. “I want to continue their great work as well as capitalize on the NBT structure while strengthening relationships and knowledge for all our grower partners.”
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