Oppy strengthens strategic oversight with executive realignments

Looking to enhance its long-term strategy, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based  Oppenheimer Group has announced redefined roles for some of its executives, the company said in a news release.

Oppy announced refined roles for David Smith, Satri Alpine, Chris Kurylo, James Milne and Jason Fung, in addition to subsequent structure enhancements. 

“The complexity of our business has radically evolved in the last five to 10 years,” David Smith, who is now president and chief operating officer, said in the release. “A huge part of Oppy’s ongoing success has been in taking a proactive approach and consistently modifying our strategy as we drive the business forward. As we continue to grow, these moves, and future moves to come, will enhance Oppy as we propel through the 2020s and beyond.” 

Vice president of talent and culture Satri Alpine is Oppy’s chief people officer. Alpine made her mark as a thoughtful leader when the company navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith said in the release.

Chris Kurylo, the release said, has taken on the role of vice president of strategic business development and analysis. Kurylo has been instrumental to the company’s integration with Eco Farms, the Temecula, California-based avocado and citrus grower-marketer;  Oppy acquired a 65% stake in Eco Farms last year.

Kurylo also oversees the fiscal elements across the organization’s categories, and he now reports to senior vice president of categories and marketing James Milne.

Milne has added executive responsibility for partner relations to his responsibilities, according to the release. Director of global procurement Ray Reed now also reports to Milne. 

Newly created position vice president of categories and strategy has added greater responsibility to Jason Fung who will continue to oversee Oppy’s berry and greenhouse categories, according to the release. Fung will also lead more of the strategic planning process alongside the executive team, the release said.

“Jason is a proven strategic thinker, which is why he is the ideal fit for this new position to help shape and execute Oppy’s strategy while also assuring it’s embedded into our culture and understood by all,” Smith said in the release.

The changes to executive roles bring about structure enhancements to reinforce the alignment between Oppy’s tactical and strategic approaches to the sales and marketing process, according to the release. Lead of the business development representatives’ team, sales and national BDR Manager Audrey Desnoyers, will now report to senior vice president of North American Sales Brett Libke. Milne will stay connected to business development activity through his leadership position in marketing, according to the release.

This summer Oppy also announced the retirement of two veterans and the refined roles stepping into their places. Vice president of operations Steve Roosdahl took on Doug Grant’s top-line responsibilities within operations, transportation and supply chain, vice president of South American Operations Eric Coty took over the region completely and IT is now reporting directly to executive vice President and CFO Kiran Rao, the release said. Jim Leach assumed the sales manager position of its Houston location after Jeff Walker’s 27-year tenure. 

“With these retirements, along with the tragic passing of Cal Tribiano, I know that all shifts will honor those great losses and take Oppy to a heightened purpose as we grow our tomorrow,” Smith said in the release.