FreshEdge announced a pair of leadership changes on Sept. 29: Steve Grinstead will transition from CEO to chairman of the company, effective Dec. 31, and Andrew Iacobucci will succeed him as CEO.
The company says Greg Corsaro will remain president of FreshEdge and that Grinstead will continue to be actively involved in the business, focusing on industry, supplier and customer relations.
Steve Grinstead
With more than 50 years of experience in all facets of the fresh food industry, Grinstead has led FreshEdge as CEO since mid-2019 when Chicago-based Get Fresh Produce joined Indianapolis-based Piazza Produce and Indianapolis Fruit, forming FreshEdge.
Prior to leading FreshEdge, Grinstead served as CEO of Pro-Act and was instrumental in launching several successful startups and acquisitions of other companies, including Fresh America and The Grinstead Group.
During his tenure with FreshEdge, Grinstead has led the growth of the family of companies to include numerous fresh food distributors across the U.S., establishing a consolidated procurement arm and logistics affiliate and, more recently, expanding FreshEdge’s value-added product and service offerings, according the company.
FreshEdge says its growth during Grinstead’s time includes expansion to 25 facilities, 1,200 fleet assets and 2,800 employees. Throughout his career, Grinstead has received numerous recognitions in the produce industry for his contributions, including his active involvement in the International Fresh Produce Association, wherein he was recently elected U.S. council chair.
“The time is right to pass the torch,” Grinstead said in announcing his decision. “I have had the privilege to lead this best-in-class family of fresh food companies, and its continued growth and success are very important to me, so staying on as chairman will be an honor. Andrew is an awesome leader with the experience and demeanor needed to lead our large and diverse organization. Andrew, Greg and I, along with our stellar board will continue the growth and success of FreshEdge and take it to the next level of our business journey.”
Andrew Iacobucci
Iacobucci, a seasoned business leader with deep retail and food distribution experience in both the U.S. and Canada, has a background in merchandising, supply chain, and sales and pricing functions, and combined with his strategic mindset and prior leadership roles, which include CEO of Rona (Montreal) and chief commercial officer and interim CEO of US Foods, position him exceptionally well to lead FreshEdge, the company says.
Additionally, over the past several months, Iacobucci has worked closely with Grinstead and Corsaro, FreshEdge sales leaders and FreshEdge operating companies on the company’s sales strategy.
“I am honored to succeed Steve as FreshEdge’s CEO,” Iacobucci says. “He has led FreshEdge’s growth and has done so admirably assembling a strong team across all of FreshEdge with exceptional character, and a servant mindset. I am fortunate to continue to work with Steve and Greg in my new role and am humbled by the confidence that Wind Point and the FreshEdge board of directors have in me. I look forward to continuing my work with FreshEdge in this new role.”
Greg Corsaro and Other FreshEdge Leadership
Corsaro leads the daily operations of the FreshEdge operating companies as president. Equipped as both a CPA and lawyer plus 35 years’ active involvement in all functional areas of the companies, Corsaro has steadily provided leadership to FreshEdge’s family of companies that has grown, both organically and by acquisition, over the years to its current position in the marketplace as a preeminent family of best-in-class fresh food companies, according to FreshEdge.
“It has been an honor to work alongside an industry icon and my friend, Steve Grinstead, over the years,” Corsaro says. “I am glad this is not a farewell, but a continuance of what we’ve built and will now strengthen by adding a great person to lead the team. We are committed to making the transition from Grinstead to Andrew a successful one. We have built a strong group of dedicated leaders across FreshEdge and all of its operating companies. Together with Andrew and the rest of our team, we look forward to our next chapter as we continue to grow FreshEdge.”
“Steve’s successful tenure as CEO saw the most significant growth in the company’s history in terms of acquisitions and market growth,” says Pat Larmon, chairman of the board. “He has earned the right to choose his next chapter, and I’m thrilled he’ll remain on the Board. Andrew is exceptionally well-prepared to lead us forward and has the full confidence and support of the Board, Steve, and Greg. Together, Andrew and Greg will continue the great things Steve and Greg launched, and I look forward to it.”
“I would like to thank Steve and the entire team for their accomplishments in building FreshEdge,” adds Joe Lawler, board member and managing director with Wind Point. “We have built a leading platform in the industry. I would also like to welcome Andrew and express my excitement for the future growth and success of our company.”
