Oviedo, Fla.-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a subsidiary of A. Duda and Sons, has named Mark Bassetti as president.
Bassetti formerly held the roles of chief operating officer and senior vice president in leading the grower of fresh vegetables and citrus.
“Mark brings 31 years of experience to the role and is incredibly qualified, with both industry knowledge and the leadership traits necessary to lead Duda Farm Fresh Foods successfully,” Barton Weeks, A. Duda and Sons’ chief operating officer, said in a news release. “Because of the unique demands of the fresh produce business and our business model, Mark was determined to be the most qualified candidate to fill this position. I am pleased that Mark emerged as the right candidate for the job.”
Bassetti’s promotion follows the appointment of Samuel “Sammy” Duda as the new CEO of A. Duda and Sons, parent company of Duda Farm Fresh Foods. Duda previously served as the president of Duda Farm Fresh Foods before being selected as CEO-elect by the board of directors in June 2022 as part of a succession plan for the December retirement of former CEO David J. Duda.
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Sammy Duda’s appointment to CEO-elect led to a leadership transition period from June through January for the role of CEO and began an internal and external search for suitable candidates to fill his previous subsidiary leadership role. According to Weeks, who served as the interim leader for Duda Farm Fresh Foods and guided the search for suitable candidates, Bassetti’s selection followed serious deliberation and consideration of multiple candidates.
“I am equally humbled and excited to step into this role. I look forward to the opportunity to lead Duda Farm Fresh Foods and, working with my colleagues, continue our mission of delivering quality farm fresh products to consumers and their families across the country,” Bassetti said in the release.
As CEO, Sammy Duda is looking forward to working with Bassetti along with the rest of Duda leaders, according to the release.
