Arctic apple grower Okanagan Specialty Fruits expands executive team

Okanagan Specialty Fruits, developer and grower of Arctic apple varieties, has expanded its executive team.

Daryl Johnston has joined the Summerland, British Columbia-based company as vice president of sales and business development, and Don Westcott has been promoted to senior vice president. 

“Over the past five years, Don has proven to be a very dedicated and capable member of our executive team,” Okanagan President Neal Carter said in a news release. “While he will continue to play a central part in leading the company's operations team, his new position will also see him take a more active role in strategic business matters.”

Johnston, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, brings to his new role over 32 years of food and beverage experience, including former positions working with Dole Fresh Vegetables, Southern Specialties and, most recently, Titan Farms Sales and Palmetto Processing Solutions. joins OSF as a proven leader in generating sustainable and profitable growth in the fresh produce, frozen processing, and consumer packaged goods industries. He brings over 32 years of food and beverage experience to the OSF team, including work with Dole Fresh Vegetables, Southern Specialties, and most recently, Titan Farms Sales and Palmetto Processing Solutions.

“[Okanagan] is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Expanding our executive team into more department-focused roles, and ensuring we have strong leadership in place, will play a vital role in our continued success," Carter said. "We feel very fortunate to welcome Daryl to the team and are certain his vast experience and network will contribute immensely to increase Arctic apple availability throughout the U.S. and Canada."

Johnston said he’s looking forward to “bringing my skill set to this vertically integrated company.”

“Arctic apples are such an amazing product,” he said in the release. “And their superior freshness and 28-day shelf life [offer] new opportunities that are waiting to be explored.”