According to news reports, Dole Food Co., Westlake Village, Calif., hired ConAgra Foods veteranRay De Riggi as president ofDole Fresh Vegetablesfollowing the departure of Eric Schwartz, who left to pursue other opportunities. Before founding the Orange County Business Bank (Newport Beach, Calif.) in 2005, De Riggi was president and chief executive officer for ConAgra's Grocery Products business. He also held several executive posts at Pet Incorporated during an 18-year tenure.

Joining De Riggi areFrank Davis, hired as senior vice president of operations; andRoger Billingsley, hired as senior vice president of R&D. Both men have also have worked at ConAgra Foods. Davis most recently was senior vice president of operations at Schwan Food Co. Billingsley most recently was division vice president of R&D and scientific affairs for the Abbott Nutrition division of Abbott Laboratories.