Mission Produce appoints SpartanNash exec to board of directors

Mission Produce Inc. has appointed SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective Aug. 14.

Sarsam is appointed as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at the Oxnard, Calif.-based company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produce’s board of directors has increased the size of the board from eight to nine directors, according to a news release.

Sarsam has over 30 years of experience in the food industry, including extensive operational and executive-level experience at numerous food distribution and retail companies, the release said. In 2020, Sarsam was named president and CEO of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash, a $9.6 billion food solutions company with 17,500 associates and a global supply chain network.

“I am thrilled to join Mission Produce’s board of directors and contribute to the company’s position as a global leader in the avocado business,” Sarsam said in the release. “There are many exciting opportunities for growth and innovation within the fresh produce industry, and I look forward to supporting Mission Produce’s journey to build trust and transparency in the produce supply chain.” 

Prior to joining SpartanNash, Sarsam held executive leadership positions at companies including Borden Dairy Company, Ready Pac Foods, Nestlé USA Direct Store Delivery Company, Dreyer’s and PepsiCo, where he built a track record of driving record sales performance, leading organizational growth and transformation, and solving complex challenges with cross-functional business strategies, the release said.

In addition to serving on the board of SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation, Sarsam holds board positions at three nonprofit organizations, including the Food Marketing Institute, the Arizona State University Foundation, and Business Leaders for Michigan.

He received a master’s of science in management from Stanford University and a bachelor’s of science in engineering from Arizona State University.

“We are pleased to welcome Tony to our board of directors at an exciting time in our company’s 40-year history,” Mission Produce CEO Steve Barnard said in the release. “As Mission Produce continues to focus on our long-term strategic priorities to diversify supply and expand our marketing and distribution network, I believe Tony’s success in driving corporate performance and aligning capabilities with established growth objectives can support our progress toward our business and financial goals.

"His deep understanding of various business functions — including operations, supply chain, marketing, finance, sales and corporate strategy — will provide our board and executive leadership team with invaluable insight and perspective,” Barnard added.