J&C Tropicals hires industry veteran to lead sales and business development

J&C Tropicals has added Tom Coufal to head its sales and business development division. 

Coufal brings 25 years of “transformative strategic leadership and execution” to the Miami-based and family-owned tropical produce grower and distributor, according to a news release. The company said Coufal has a reputation as a sales leader with deep expertise in business development and leading high-performance teams.

Coufal will be responsible for growing J&C Tropicals footprint in new markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. He will report directly to Adrian Capote, J&C Tropicals vice president of sales and revenue.

“Having Tom join J&C Tropicals represents the next chapter in bringing exceptional tropical produce and culinary experiences to America and Canada,” Capote said in the release. “His experience, tenacity, and personality are infectious. His track record is second to none.”

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Prior to joining J&C Tropicals, Coufal managed over 70 accounts and $60 million annually during a three-year tenure as a consultant with Red Sun Farms. Before that, he spent 20 years with Lakeside Produce, rising from an entry-level truck driver to become director of new business development, managing over $80 million in annual sales, according to the release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tom to the J&C Tropicals family,” CEO Jessie Capote said in the release. “He will be a terrific role model for our ever-growing team and premier partners that interact with him. He adds a strong emphasis on customer relationship quality to our sales and business development teams.”