SCS Global Services hires former Farm Fresh Direct CEO

Emeryville, Calif.-based auditing/testing firm SCS Global Services has hired Jim Knutzon, former longtime CEO of potato-growing network Farm Fresh Direct, as its vice president for special projects.

It's a homecoming of a sort for Knutzon, who had been chief operating officer at SCS until 2000, when he was hired as CEO at newly founded Farm Fresh Direct. He held that position until his retirement in 2016.

Knutzon led numerous innovations at Farm Fresh Direct, including development of the ready-to-eat baked potato, identification of the most antioxidant-rich purple potatoes, and more, SCS said Jan. 3 in a news release.

Jamey Higham became Farm Fresh's CEO in April 2016, moving from Potandon Produce in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Now, Knutzon will play a pivotal role in the expansion of SCS's certification, auditing and testing services.

"Jim is one of the most energetic people I know, with a deep curiosity, a lifelong passion for problem-solving, and the ingenuity to translate insights into action," SCS President Stan-ley Rhodes said in the release.

Knutzon started his career in the agricultural chemical business, then transitioned into vegetable farming. In 1979, he co-founded Valley Fresh Distributing, the first major organic vegetable grower-shipper in the U.S. In 1988, his organic carrots caught the attention of SCS and Raley's Supermarket in California, when they were tested and shown to contain high levels of beta-carotene. Knutzon later joined SCS and was COO for 10 years.