NatureSweet restructures sales team

San Antonio-based tomato and greenhouse vegetable grower NatureSweet has restructured its sales team with organizational changes going into effect in July.

“Our strong growth comes with more opportunities for our associates,” NatureSweet President and CEO Rodolfo Spielmann said in a news release. “We have one of the most experienced teams in the produce industry and they are critical to our success. We look forward to continuing our purpose, which is to transform the lives of agricultural workers in North America, and this is only possible as we partner with our customers to provide the best-tasting produce for our consumers.”

As a part of the reorganization, NatureSweet’s Vice President of Sales Jimmy McErlean has been named to a newly created position at the company, vice president of customer relations. A produce industry veteran who has more than 35 years’ experience, McErlean has held senior leadership roles at Chiquita, Fresh Express and Dole, according to the release.

Overseeing the company’s sales department as senior vice president will be newly hired Michael Chauvet. Chauvet brings more than 20 years of consumer packaged goods and packaged produce experience to NatureSweet and has a proven track record of leading high-performance teams, according to the release. He previously held vice president of sales roles at Del Monte Foods Inc. and T. Marzetti Co., the release said.

NatureSweet’s Senior Director of Sales John Cameron has been promoted to vice president of channel sales and greenhouse vegetable growth. He will oversee the continued success of the company’s expanded produce portfolio in the U.S., which now includes tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers, according to the release. Cameron has spent 34 years in the industry with roles at Del Monte Fresh, Renaissance Food Group and United Supermarkets, the release said.

Kristopher Gibson, former vice president of sales and marketing for Intergrow Greenhouses, also has joined NatureSweet as director of strategic sales initiatives, after over 13 years of increased responsibilities at Intergrow, according to the release.

NatureSweet recently became B Corp certified, becoming the world’s largest controlled environment agriculture company to earn the distinction. The produce company is also fair trade and Equitable Food Initiative certified, distinctions that will continue to fuel growth for the company, according to the release.