Kapi Kapi Growers appoints senior director of sales

Kapi Kapi Growers of Grupo Acon, a producer of premium pineapples and bananas, has appointed Greg Samels to senior director of sales for the western U.S.

In this role, Samels will manage and create new relationships and drive new business in all channels to help grow sales of the Kapi Kapi brand bananas and pineapples grown in Costa Rica, according to a news release.

Reporting directly to Sofia Acon, president of Kapi Kapi Growers, Samels brings nearly 20 years of produce industry experience to Kapi Kapi, including more than 13 years with multinational growers on the banana and pineapple fob desk. He brings a strong track record to this position of building value propositions, focused on growing sales with major accounts by employing fact-based techniques demonstrating value and benefits to the customer, the release said.

“We are glad to have Greg join our team and build on his extensive experience in the produce industry,” Acon said in the release. “We are so proud of our growth and how it is allowing us to attract new talent, like Greg to our organization.”

Samels’ experience began in foodservice with Gordon Food Service and Sysco. His experience in strategic market and sales planning, category management, account management and cultivating professional relationships are all assets he brings to Kapi Kapi, the release said.  

“I’m certainly excited to contribute to the continuing emergence of the Kapi Kapi brand,” Samels said in the release. “It’s a very exciting time at the company and I am thrilled to be a part of the excellent culture Kapi Kapi exudes. As a family-owned business, the company has a long tradition of excellence in quality and commitment to integrity, and I look forward to creating new business partnerships as we move forward.”