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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.
David Nelley has joined Apeel Sciences as vice president of domestic buyer relations.
Del Rey Avocado, Fallbrook, Calif., has hired Brent Portell as operations manager as the company opens a new facility in Vista, Calif.
John G. Giumarra Jr., whose legal expertise helped guide not only the family business, but aided in greater grape exports for the overall California grape industry, has died.
River Fresh Farms, Salinas, Calif., has hired David Martinez as senior vice president of business development.
Ocean Mist Farms has promoted Katie Tossie to organic product manager.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has promoted Megan McKenna from director of foodservice to senior director of marketing and foodservice.
Pacific Organic Produce, San Francisco, which markets under the Purity Organic brand, has hired Mike Rubidoux as sales manager.
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce NA has appointed Scott Owens vice president of sales and product management.
PSSI has announced the promotion of Tom ‘Tiny’ Eckmann to its leadership team as vice president of operations.
Golden Sun Marketing has promoted Naba Bakar to director of marketing.