Renaissance Food Group’s senior vice president of sales, Phil Fendyan, plans to retire in April after more than 15 years with the company.
He was vice president of sales and marketing before taking his current role as senior vice president of sales-produce. Fendyan has been instrumental in growing the Rancho Cordova, Calif.-based company’s customer base and has been involved in successful product line creations and changes, according to a news release.
He began his career more than 40 years ago in a Safeway produce department in San Francisco, where he was promoted to produce manager. Fendyan’s other Safeway titles were buyer, senior buyer, supply and category manager, and other management positions, according to the release. His Safeway career spanned 24 years.
From Safeway, he joined Webvan, the home delivery grocery company, as national produce director, launching national programs for the start-up.
He was also vice president of sales at Club Fresh, a fresh-cut fruit supplier in Sacramento, Calif.
Fendyan joined RFG in 2004, receiving its Joe Rohrer Person of the Year Award in 2016.
According to the release, Fendyan is known for his foresight into industry trends, particularly the rise of fresh-cut, organic produce and online ordering.
“Phil’s expertise and enthusiasm for produce will be greatly missed, however, we wish him all the best in his retirement,” RFG President Jim Gibson said in the release.
He officially retires April 5, but will remain at the company on special assignment until July 19th.
