Mike O’Brien, who joined Monterey Mushrooms 5 ½ years ago after more than four decades at retailer Schnuck Markets Inc., is retiring.
O’Brien, who joined Monterey Mushrooms, Watsonville, Calif., in 2014, was vice president of sales and marketing. Brian Jenny, who most recently was vice president of sales at Bright Farms and is the former director of sales at Monterey Mushrooms, succeeds O’Brien, according to a news release.
O’Brien worked for St. Louis based Schnuck Markets, first as a bagger, then produce manager, division manager and vice president of produce and floral, a position he had for 14 ½ years.
He worked for the retailer for 42 years, according to the release.
“Mike is an authentic, strong, committed and compassionate leader who powerfully takes stands on the people and projects with which he is engaged,” Shah Kazemi, Monterey Mushrooms CEO, said in the release. “It’s been a joy to have him be part of our executive team and he will be greatly missed.”
At Schnucks, O’Brien received the Donald O. Schnuck Award for Customer Service. He was named Produce Retailer of the Year by Produce Retailer magazine in 2006, The Packer Marketer of the Year in 2009 and was awarded the inaugural Bob Carey Leadership Award by the Produce Marketing Association in 2012. O’Brien was chairman of the Produce for Better Health Foundation in 2007, and chairman of the PMA in 2011.
“It’s all about people, no matter what your job: retail, grower-shipper or volunteer,” O’Brien said in the release. “Be humble and show respect for others. Life is short and we all want to accomplish a lot, but none of us accomplish much without the help and support of others.”
O’Brien’s plans include volunteering in the produce industry, playing guitar and attending live music events, travel, charity work and spending time with his family.
Jenny was at Monterey Mushrooms from July 2003 to August 2012. He was director of sales when he left to join Naturipe Farms as director of business development and then vice president/general manager of value-added fresh. After that, he was vice president and general manager of CC Kitchens LLC, before becoming vice president of sales at Bright Farms.
“Brian’s unique skills and insight will enhance our efforts to accelerate Monterey Mushrooms’ growth,” Kazemi said in the release. “We know he will be an outstanding addition to our team.”
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