Latest News From People

Divert hires chief information officer
Divert hires chief information officer

West Concord, Mass.-based technology company Divert Inc. has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of Bob Watkins as chief information officer.

The Packer seeks nominations for 2024 potato awards
The Packer seeks nominations for 2024 potato awards

Only days remain until the Feb. 2 nomination deadline. Help honor a deserving member of the potato-growing community by submitting their name today!

Salix Fruits names new leadership in Chile and Egypt
Salix Fruits names new leadership in Chile and Egypt

The Philadelphia-based importer has designated Haydy Shahin and Pascuala Vergara Sabaini as country managers, moves it says underscores its commitment to diversity and equal opportunities in top leadership.

Driscoll’s hires Zespri CEO as president of the Americas
Driscoll’s hires Zespri CEO as president of the Americas

The company says veteran agribusiness executive Daniel Mathieson will steer the largest business unit for the company, overseeing all aspects of the enterprise, from strategic planning to financial success.

Kwik Lok names new global distribution sales manager
Kwik Lok names new global distribution sales manager

In this new role, Bas Reijndorp will develop, execute and grow Kwik Lok’s distribution and original equipment manufacturer network in Europe and the Middle East.

JOH adds new produce account executive
JOH adds new produce account executive

Kate Degan brings more than 15 years of experience in the food industry to her new role in the metro New York and New Jersey produce division.

Veg-Fresh adds two to sales team
Veg-Fresh adds two to sales team

Corona, Calif.-based agribusiness said the new hires will help expand the company’s berry program and expand its share in food service.

Wakefern Food Corp. names chief sales officer
Wakefern Food Corp. names chief sales officer

Darren Caudill brings over four decades of experience working in both grocery wholesale and retail, according to the retailer-owned cooperative.

Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted
Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted

Co-founder Camilo Penalosa will step away from the company's daily operations Jan. 31, and a new vice president of sales and marketing will assume Penalosa's former customer responsibilities.

Sage Fruit Co. names new CEO
Sage Fruit Co. names new CEO

The company has promoted Nicole Gordy, who had served as director of business analytics. Gordy succeeds Steve Clement, who becomes CEO of PNW Tree Fruit, which owns Sage Fruit packers and 6,000 acres of orchards.

Industry veteran takes the helm of National Onion Association
Industry veteran takes the helm of National Onion Association

Onion industry veteran Jared Gutierrez is now president of the National Onion Association after serving the last two years as first vice president for the organization.

FPFC announces new board for '24 with celebration
FPFC announces new board for '24 with celebration

The Fresh Produce and Floral Council announced the transition of leadership from the outgoing 2023 Board of Directors to the incoming 2024 Board of Directors.

Church Brothers Farms names director of safety and risk management
Church Brothers Farms names director of safety and risk management

The company says Antonio “Tony” Figueroa will play a pivotal role in elevating its risk management culture, with his extensive background in regulatory compliance and loss control and prevention.

Potato LEAF announces new ‘Leadership in the Field’ program
Potato LEAF announces new ‘Leadership in the Field’ program

The program is set for July 15-18 at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa. Applications are being accepted through March 1 and are open to anyone in the U.S. potato industry.

Texas International Produce Association adds 5 to hall of fame
Texas International Produce Association adds 5 to hall of fame

The association will recognize leaders from Little Bear Produce, Dixondale Farms, Val Verde Vegetable Co., and more.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives makes senior director promotion
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives makes senior director promotion

The organization said Smith, who has been promoted to senior director of member and industry relations, will also organize its education programming.

Organic Trade Association expands leadership team with co-CEOs
Organic Trade Association expands leadership team with co-CEOs

OTA says the leadership structure reflects the expanding vision of the trade association and the increasing opportunities and potential in the organic sector.

Idaho Potato Commission names new retail promotion director
Idaho Potato Commission names new retail promotion director

Patrick Mills joins the commission as retail promotion director for the West and Canada following Kent Beasley's retirement.

California Avocado Commission selects Curious Plot as agency of record
California Avocado Commission selects Curious Plot as agency of record

The commission said it had searched for a new consumer marketing agency that could conduct both consumer advertising and consumer public relations activities.

Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs
Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs

For 2024-2025, Carlos Solf of Southern Specialties will serve as East Coast chair and Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt will be the West Coast chair.

Associated Wholesale Grocers' CEO retires
Associated Wholesale Grocers' CEO retires

The cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets has named Dan Funk as its new president and CEO.

IFPA promotes sustainability leader to vice president 
IFPA promotes sustainability leader to vice president 

International Fresh Produce Association has promoted Tamara Muruetagoiena to the newly created role of vice president of sustainability.

Sprouts names new national director of produce for fruit
Sprouts names new national director of produce for fruit

The company has promoted its senior category manager to oversee its fruit produce category.

Podcast: Top sustainability trends in 2024
Podcast: Top sustainability trends in 2024

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast, Kieran Ficken McNeice, director of sustainability programs with Measure to Improve, shares the trends poised to have a big impact on sustainability this year.

Grower-Shipper Association of Central California appoints new board members
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California appoints new board members

These new members, which include Carmen Ponce of Tanimura & Antle, Chris Drew of Ocean Mist Farm and Kiana Amarel of BlazerWilkinsonGee, will serve a three-year term.

Hurlbert returns as CEO of Local Bounti
Hurlbert returns as CEO of Local Bounti

Indoor agriculture company said its co-founder, Craig Hurlbert, reprises his role as chief executive officer as part of a company restructuring.

NGA announces 3 staff promotions
NGA announces 3 staff promotions

The National Grocers Association has announced promotions for three key senior staff executives.

Farm Foundation names 2024 Agricultural Scholars
Farm Foundation names 2024 Agricultural Scholars

Twenty graduate students were selected to join the program for inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and other applied fields.

Sev-Rend appoints director of marketing
Sev-Rend appoints director of marketing

The Collinsville, Ill.-based provider of high-performance packaging has named Brittnie Hammack director of marketing.

Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner
Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association has inducted Gary Wishnatzki into its hall of fame for his innovations in the berry industry.

CMI Orchards updates its leadership team
CMI Orchards updates its leadership team

The company has promoted eight employees to key roles as it plans for growth.

Sunrise Fresh CEO wins California Farm Bureau award
Sunrise Fresh CEO wins California Farm Bureau award

Jacob "Jake" Samuel has helped build the premium dried fruit business into one of the leading suppliers of unsweetened, all-natural fruits for ingredient use.

Hass Avocado Board announces new executive committee members
Hass Avocado Board announces new executive committee members

Two producers and two importers were officially seated as committee members Dec. 6.

Calavo adds VP to lead tomato and papaya sales
Calavo adds VP to lead tomato and papaya sales

Kurt Kistler has over 25 years of fresh produce industry experience, having spent the last seven years at Charlie’s Produce.

Fresh produce industry lobbyist establishes consulting firm
Fresh produce industry lobbyist establishes consulting firm

Robert Guenther has launched Breakthrough365 Government Relations Strategies, which has a mission to provide distinctive strategies to navigate the complexities of government relations in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

California Farm Bureau elects first woman to head the organization
California Farm Bureau elects first woman to head the organization

Shannon Douglass, a farmer in Glen County, Calif., will serve a two-year term.

FullTilt Marketing adds specialist, names new VP
FullTilt Marketing adds specialist, names new VP

Olga Sacal has joined as a marketing and events specialist, while Jen Velasquez has been promoted to vice president of marketing.

Inteligistics makes hire to assist expansion into retailer markets
Inteligistics makes hire to assist expansion into retailer markets

Joe Garcia, who has 40 years of supply chain technical experience, will serve as director of sales for retail supply chain.

Spice World names new R&D director
Spice World names new R&D director

Lisa Rosenberg joins the Orlando, Fla.-based garlic company to capitalize on consumers’ increasing interest in fresh, convenient flavors.

NatureSweet exec appointed to university leadership board
NatureSweet exec appointed to university leadership board

Martin C. Ruebelt, chief scientific officer for the San Antonio-based greenhouse grower, has more than 20 years of experience in the agricultural industry.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Kelsey Van Lissum
The 2023 Packer 25 — Kelsey Van Lissum

Meet Kelsey Van Lissum of Oppy, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Aaron Sumption
The 2023 Packer 25 — Aaron Sumption

Meet Aaron Sumption of Local Bounti, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Brody Slacer
The 2023 Packer 25 — Brody Slacer

Meet Brody Slacer of Flashfood, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Tal Shoshan
The 2023 Packer 25 — Tal Shoshan

Meet Tal Shoshan of FiveStar Gourmet Foods, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Mark Sambrailo
The 2023 Packer 25 — Mark Sambrailo

Meet Mark Sambrailo of Sambrailo Packaging, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Sharese Roper
The 2023 Packer 25 — Sharese Roper

Meet Sharese Roper of the International Fresh Produce Association, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Karen Reed
The 2023 Packer 25 — Karen Reed

Meet Karen Reed of Kwik Lok Corp., one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Kieran Ficken McNeice
The 2023 Packer 25 — Kieran Ficken McNeice

Meet Kieran Ficken McNeice of Measure to Improve, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Jen Sanchez
The 2023 Packer 25 — Jen Sanchez

Meet Jen Sanchez of Sun World International, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Morgan McCormick
The 2023 Packer 25 — Morgan McCormick

Meet Morgan McCormick of Tater Traders LLC, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.