Rick Overholt was named vice president of grower sales, for the North American market at IFCO Systems, a global provider of reusable plastic containers for fresh-food packaging. He succeeds Craig Kelly, who is retiring after seven years at IFCO, according to a news release.
“I would like to congratulate Craig Kelly for a stellar career at IFCO and wish him well in his retirement,” Candice Herndon, president, said in the release.
During his seven years with IFCO, Craig was the face the grower community knew. His engagement on various committees within Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association have benefited both IFCO and the grower community, according to the release. Kelly mentored students interested in the agriculture industry during his involvement in the PMA Center for Growing Talent.
He intends to stay involved in the produce industry, where he has worked for more than 20 years and developed many friendships along the way.
Prior to joining IFCO, Overholt held several sales leadership roles in his 22 years at CHEP, most recently serving as national sales director of produce. In that role, he led all grower and shipper accounts in the U.S. and Central America, helping to deliver a consistent supply of fresh produce to U.S. retail and food service customers and their consumers.
“He has worked closely with the grower community for many years and is an expert in shared and reusable assets and supply chain efficiency,” Herndon said in the release. “We will benefit greatly from his experience and extensive relationships with the growers and retailers that trust IFCO RPCs to pack, ship, store and display fresh food.”
In his new role, Rick will focus on building and growing collaborative, long-term relationships with IFCO’s grower customers across North America, as well as leading the grower sales team to consistently deliver value creation, sustainable growth and improved customer service and loyalty.
“I have worked collaboratively with IFCO to develop efficient and sustainable packaging and supply chain solutions for growers and retailers for many years, and now it is exciting to do that directly as a member of the IFCO team,” Overholt said in the release.
Rick reports directly to Herndon and is based in Morro Bay, Calif. Kelly will remain with IFCO until July 2.
