The National Mango Board has hired Michele Hoard as retail account manager for the West Coast.
Hoard has more than 20 years of experience in the produce industry, with a background in field marketing, business development, strategic marketing and account management, according to a news release. She most recently was retail and foodservice account manager for the New York Apple Association, and before that was the senior North American marketing manager for Zespri International Ltd., New Zealand’s kiwifruit exporter.
Hoard has also had sales or merchandising roles at the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Frieda’s Specialty Produce and World Variety Produce Inc.
She has worked with retailers across the U.S., including Sam’s Club, Publix, Safeway and Whole Foods.
“Michele’s long produce industry career and retail partnerships will play a vital role in strengthening our retail team and developing remarkable strategies for our partners,” Valda Coryat, director of marketing at the National Mango Board, said in the release.
“They understand the unique balance in the produce industry of relationships, data-driven information and effective marketing tools in building strong promotional partnerships,” Hoard said in the release.
She succeeds Katie Manetti, who was with the National Mango Board since 2008, according to a news release.
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