Replacing Rob Wedin, Danny Dumas to lead Calavo Grown segment

Danny Dumas has been named senior vice president and general manager for Calavo Grown, filling the role held by Rob Wedin.

Wedin is retiring this year after 49 years with Calavo.

Santa Paula, Calif.-based Calavo Growers Inc. in April announced it would reorganize its business into two segments, Grown and Prepared, with a senior vice president and general manager responsible for each.

Dumas will lead the Grown segment, which consists of fresh avocados, tomatoes and papayas, effective July 11, according to a news release.

Dumas has more than three decades of experience in the produce business, most recently as president of Courchesne Larose USA. 

Previously, at Del Monte Fresh, his roles included senior vice president of North American sales, marketing and product management; vice president of sales for Canada; and vice president of operations fresh (Europe & Africa).

“We are fortunate to have someone with Danny’s experience and capabilities join the team,” Brian Kocher, president and CEO of Calavo Growers Inc., said in the release. “His knowledge of fresh produce sales, marketing and operations will be an asset to the company as we move forward under our new segment structure that aligns product fulfillment responsibilities with P&L management.”

 Dumas said in the release he was excited about the new role and growing Calavo sales. “I’m looking forward to working with our customers to provide consumers with the on-trend, healthy foods they seek,” Dumas said in the release.

Kocher thank Wedin for his nearly 50 years of service to Calavo. 

“Rob has been looking forward to his retirement for some time, and I appreciate that he has not only continued working until we filled his role he also agreed to stay on through the end of the year as an adviser through the transition,” Kocher said in the release.

Wedin, a member of the 2012 class of The Packer 25 industry leadership recognition, has been instrumental in expanding Calavo’s line of high-growth avocado and related commodity foods, Kocher said.

 Wedin is the current chair of the Hass Avocado Board Global Data Committee and is a former executive committee member at producesupply.org. Wedin also is the past director of the California Avocado Commission and past chair of the Avocado Inspection Committee, according to the release. 

“I’m truly fortunate that I’ve had such a long and successful career at one company, but after nearly 50 years, it’s time for me to take a step back,” Wedin said in the release. “The people at Calavo are like a family to me, and while I will miss seeing everyone every day, I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”