Starr Ranch Growers hires three in sales and marketing

Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., has added three people to its sales and marketing staff.

Jason Fonfara is in the export/domestic sales and marketing department. He most recently was in sales and marketing at FirstFruits Marketing for two years, and before that was at Domex Superfresh Growers for 8 ½ years as an account manager for apples, pears and cherries. He also was at CDS Distributing from about four years, specializing in export and domestic sales.

Fonfara is based at Starr Ranch Growers’ Yakima, Wash., office, according to a news release.

Randy Eckert has also joined the company’s Yakima sales and marketing department. He has worked for Northwest fruit companies including Pacific Fruit Growers & Packers, Haas Fruit Co. and most recently Yakima Fresh where he was for 15 years, according to the release.

“These hires add great depth and knowledge to our domestic and export teams,” CEO Brett Reasor said in the release. “We look forward to their help and guidance with retailers as our company moves forward.”   

Morgan Maitoza is in a newly created position at Starr Ranch Growers, social media and communications manager, working remotely from Monterey, Calif. She was a marketing intern at Naturipe Farms and most recently was a marketing manager at California Giant Berry Farms.

Krista Beckstead, whose title was marketing and brand specialist, is now brand manager at Starr Ranch Growers, according to the release.

“We are excited to reach this milestone with our marketing department,” Dan Davis, director of business development, said in the release. “The addition of Morgan strengthens our team’s capabilities so we can develop programs that will enhance our consumer outreach and brand recognition activities.” 

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