People
Check out some of the businesses, people and news you missed (or you saw yourself) at the 20th anniversary New England Produce Council’s Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo in Boston.
Limoneira Co., Santa Paula, Calif., has hired Tara Saldaña and Brett Johnson in sales.
Jack Cain Sr., a long-time employee of Catalytic Generators, Norforlk, Va., died Oct. 17. He was 85.
Lee Cole, president and CEO of Calavo Growers, Santa Paula, Calif., plans to retire in the first quarter of 2020.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council have hired Alicia Adler as vice president.
Monica Arnett has been promoted to vice president of finance and administration for the California Avocado Commission, Irvine, Calif.
United Fresh is hosting a food media dialogue panel at this year’s BrandStorm, moderated by Chadwick Boyd, food and lifestyle expert and TV host.
Progressive Produce, Los Angeles, has hired Christine Toy as sales manager and Seth Tillery as sales and grower relations manager.
Key Technology has promoted Daniel Leighty to global vice president of sales.
Rodolfo Spielmann is the new president and CEO of NatureSweet Tomatoes, San Antonio.
The United Fresh Produce Association is honoring Emanuel Lazopoulos with its Lifetime Achievement Award in January.
The Fresno, Calif.-based California Fresh Fruit Association has hired Caroline Stringer as its director of trade. Stringer’s first day will be Jan. 6, according to a news release.
Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., is getting some star power for Juici and Koru apples, which are being served backstage at a production starring Lady Gaga.
After 40 years with the company, Steve Tweten, president, CEO, and partner of NoKota Packers, Inc., will retire on Dec. 27.
Vision Produce Company, Los Angeles, has hired Scott Levario for the firm’s Phoenix office.
Stemilt Growers and Hansen Fruit again teamed up to give 170 children in foster care and low-income households gifts for the seventh Christmas in a row.
Polled in December, most readers of The Packer believe President Trump should be reelected in 2020.
After nearly 50 years in the fresh produce industry, Craig Laker is retiring at the end of the year.
Bobalu Berries, Oxnard, Calif., has hired Tom O’Brien as sales account manager.
Integrated Fresh Solutions, Swedesboro, N.J., has promoted Matt Christ to vice president of business development.
Houweling’s US Holdings Inc. has appointed Bob Hale, a board member since mid-2019, to chairman of the board.
Dennis “Denny” Donovan, who spent almost three decades of his career at the Garin Co., Salinas, has died.
The California Fresh Fruit Association, Fresno, has hired Adam Borchard as director of government and public policy.
C.H. Robinson’s Executive Chairman John Wiehoff plans to retire from the board of directors when his term expires in May.
The Produce for Better Health Foundation has canceled its April 13-15 Consumer Connection Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., because of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
John Beaulieu has joined Meridian Growers, Madera, Calif., to manage processing of tree nuts.
Avocado company Index Fresh, Riverside, Calif., has hired Steve Roodzant as CEO.
Cora Heacox has joined Germains Seed Technology, Gilroy, Calif., as senior sales coordinator for the North America horticultural commercial team.
The Reusable Packaging Association, Tampa, Fla., has a new board of directors chairman, Michael Wasson, chief operating officer of Tosca.