Calavo Growers names new president and CEO

Former Calavo Growers Inc. President and CEO Lee E. Cole is returning to lead the company effective immediately, succeeding Brian W. Kocher, who has stepped down from the role.

Cole has agreed to lead Santa Paula, Calif.-based Calavo Growers for three years “with the goal of returning the company to a position of growth and shareholder value creation,” according to a March 13 news release announcing the move.

Cole previously served as Calavo’s president and CEO from 1999 until his retirement on Jan. 31, 2020, according to the release. He also served as a director of Calavo for 39 years, spending 28 years as chairman of the board.
 
“On behalf of Calavo and all of our employees, we thank Brian for all his efforts and wish him success in his future endeavors,” Steven Hollister, Calavo board chairman, said in the release. “We would also like to welcome back Lee Cole as president and CEO. Lee was responsible for bringing Calavo into the public market and making it one of the largest avocado companies in the world. His knowledge of the avocado business is second to none, and we anticipate great things for the company and our employees as we move forward.”
 
“I am honored to be asked to lead Calavo once again and look forward to generating value for our shareholders,” Cole said in the release.

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