ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:

The Organic Center, Washington, D.C.
New organization appointed new board of trustees. Selected as chairman, Todd Linsky is vice president of organic sales for Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic Farms. Ken Cook, president and co-founder of the Environmental Working Group, is widely recognized as one of the environmental community’s most prominent and effective critics of establishment agriculture and U.S. farm policy, and a leading voice on federal chemicals and pesticides law. Marty Mesh helped form the Florida Certified Organic Growers & Consumers in 1989, and has served as its executive director since 1995. Bob Quinn, president of Kamut International, has been a member of OTA since 1987. Susan Shields has been Jamba Juice’s senior vice president and CIO since January 2012. She has over 20 years of strategic leadership experience in marketing health and wellness brands, product development, innovation and business development. Sara Snow is known as a green lifestyle expert, TV host and author. Among her many achievements have been hosting shows and TV series offering practical advice to consumers on “living green.” Jeffrey Brams is general counsel and vice president for science and international business for Garden of Life LLC, where he oversees product formulation, R&D, science, regulatory, international sales and legal departments. Dag Falck served as the organic program manager at Nature’s Path Organic Foods since 2002 and currently serves as a board member of the Canada Organic Trade Association. Bob Kaake is chief innovation officer for Annie’s Inc., and is a food science and engineering expert in the organic and natural foods industry. Theresa Marquez is now mission executive for CROPP Cooperative, an organic farmer cooperative and farmer-owned organic brand, Organic Valley. Melody Meyer is vice president of policy and industry relations for United Natural Foods (UNFI), and executive director of the UNFI Foundation, which is dedicated to funding non-profit organizations that promote organic and sustainable agriculture and healthy food systems. Mike Ferry is president of Horizon Organic, responsible for leading all aspects of the business. Meg Hirshberg is a professional writer, speaker and currently contributing editor and regular columnist for Inc. magazine. Jessica Lundberg is vice president of people, planet and process as well as a member of the board of directors of Lundberg Family Farms. Margaret Wittenberg joined Whole Foods Market in 1981 as one of the company’s original team members. Since 1998, she has been its vice president of quality standards.

Egg Farmers of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Peter Clarke was elected chairman of the board of directors. Clarke was first elected EFC chair by acclamation after representing Nova Scotia since 1995. In that time, he served on numerous national standing committees, including audit, budget, research, production management and executive. He has also been a director of Nova Scotia Egg Producers since 1987.

Organic Alliance, Inc., Salinas, Calif.
Frank Gomez was named director of grower relations, responsible for expanding management depth and accommodating new growth opportunities. Gomez has extensive supply chain experience with two multi-billion dollar companies in both grower development and management. He also comes to the company with more than 20 years of industry experience in category management expertise developed over 11 years with Performance Food Group and US Foods

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

METRO INC., Canada
Robert Sawyer, executive vice president and COO, will be leaving the food retailer to become president and CEO a company operating in another sector. The succession plan of the corporation is being implemented, and the heads of the Quebec and Ontario divisions will now be reporting to the CEO. The position of COO will not be filled.

Relay Foods, Charlottesville, Va.
Jill Douthit will join the online retailer as chief financial officer, responsible for driving the company’s financial strategy as the company executes its expansion plans. Prior to joining Relay Foods, Douthit served as vice president of finance at a software-as-a-service provider, where she led key business transformation projects, and as finance director at that firm's parent company.

Sysco Corp., Houston, Texas
Tom Bené will join the company as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, effective April 15. He will be responsible for strengthening optimizing the company’s supply chain and effectively implementing category management initiatives, as well as overseeing merchandising. Prior to joining Sysco, Bené was president of PepsiCo Foodservice, where he held positions in merchandising, sales, operations, franchise development and general management over a 23-year span.

SUPERVALU, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Janel Haugarth was promoted to executive vice president and president of independent business and supply chain services. Haugarth, who has spent more than 35 years in a variety of leadership positions with the company, will oversee its wholesale and distribution business, and will lead supply chain services, including 19 distribution centers across the country. Randy Burdick was named executive vice president and chief information officer, replacing Kathy Persian, who resigned, effective April 5. Burdick will be responsible for Supervalu’s information technology infrastructure and personnel, as well as the shared service/contact center organization. Michele Murphy was named executive vice president of human resources and corporate communications, replacing Dave Pylipow, who will leave the company at the end of April. Murphy will be responsible for overseeing all HR functions, labor relations and corporate communications. Lastly, J. Andrew (Andy) Herring, executive vice president of real estate, market development and legal, will leave the company.

Kroger Co., Cincinnati
Rich Manka, vice president and pension investment officer, announced his retirement, effective July 15. Manka began his career with Dillon Cos., Inc. in 1982 as an investment manager for retirement plans. He was promoted to his current position in 2004. He has served on Kroger's Retirement Management Committee and is chair of the company's Pension Investment Committee. Manka's replacement will be named at a later date.

Superior Farms, Davis, Calif.
Greg Ahart was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. Ahart began working for Superior Farms in the quality control/quality assurance department, eventually transitioning to fabrication manager. He later headed the case ready and progressed to serve as the plant manager and ultimately the general manager for the Dixon, Calif., facility. His most recent position was vice president of producer relations. Ahart currently serves as the president of the California Woolgrowers Association and the California Suffolk and Hampshire Sheep Breeders Association.

SUPPLIERS:

Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, Kan.
Simon Ayling was promoted to managing director of Bunting Magnetics Europe, after serving for two years as general manager. Prior to joining Bunting, he spent 10 years with Magnet Applications in various production and supply chain roles, and was operations manager at Fine Group. Clive Wright was named general sales manager at Bunting Magnetics Europe. Trained as an engineer before moving into sales, Wright brings some 18 years of sales management experience at a range of companies, developing new products and markets in the conveying and food processing industry. Robert Webb is now finance director at Bunting Magnetics Europe. A trained accountant with more than 30 years’ experience, Webb also brings significant commercial and organizational experience.

Sionix Corp., Houston, Texas
Joseph Autem was appointed chief financial officer. Autem has more than 30 years of financial and accounting experience in the oil and gas, technology, investment and manufacturing industries. He is a founder of CFO Partners, with clients such as drilling companies and exploration and production companies in Texas and Oklahoma.

D&W Fine Pack, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
David Randall was named president and CEO, effective immediately. Randall joined the company in August 2012 as senior vice president, administration. Previously, he was the president and CEO of Liquid Container LP. Meanwhile, Kate Daly was named vice president, human resources, responsible for the development, implementation and management of company-wide human resources strategies and programs, including compensation and benefits, staffing, training and employee development, employee relations, HR information systems and payroll.

FORTE, Mason, Ohio
Drew Forte was hired as senior director, strategic account sales, responsible for identifying, maintaining and expanding relationships with strategically important clients. He will lead the company’s overall sales efforts as they relate to the company’s software offerings, and is charged with developing strong partnerships with clients and meeting revenue goals.

Harpak-ULMA, Taunton, Mass.
John Sirridge was appointed regional sales manager for the Central U.S. territory, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Sirridge brings more than 15 years of packaging experience working for Multivac in the food, medical and consumer products industries.