ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
International Association for Food Protection, Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Linda Harris was named to the executive board as secretary, and will fulfill a 5-year commitment serving as president beginning in August 2016. Harris is a specialist in Cooperative Extension – Microbial Food Safety in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. She also serves as the associate director at the UC – Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security and as the Principal Investigator for the Western Center for Food Safety. In addition, she oversees a research program at UC – Davis on the microbial food safety of fresh fruits and vegetables and tree nuts, from pre-harvest through minimally- and fully-processed products.
Railway Supply Institute, Washington, D.C.
Nicole Brewin was promoted to vice president government affairs, responsible for planning and implementing government relations strategy and being the point person with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies. Meanwhile, Robyn Leach was promoted to vice president administration, responsible for handling the organization’s financial accounts, helping coordinate the activities of several program committees, including the American Railway Car Institute, Tank Car and State Tax Committees, coordinating RSI’s relationship with the Coordinated Mechanical Associations (CMA) and overseeing the annual CMA conference.
International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association, Madison, Wis.
Voni Woods, senior director of deli for Giant Eagle, Inc., is the chairman of the board of directors. William G. Klump, senior vice president of marketing of Butterball, LLC, is the executive vice chairman. David Leonhardi, director of education and events for Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is vice chairman, while John Cheesman, vice president of sales, corporate accounts for Maplehurst Bakeries, LLC, is the treasurer. Steve Beekhuizen, senior vice president of sales for Dawn Food Products, Inc., is the immediate past chairman. Additionally, Carol Christison was named president and CEO, while Lucie Arendt was named vice president of membership, exhibits, registration and IT. Mary Kay O’Connor was named vice president of education, and Christopher Schwass, CPA, was named vice president of finance.
MIAS Group, Denver, Colo.
Dennis McWherter was named vice president of U.S. operations at MIAS’ new office in Denver, Colo., responsible for expanding U.S./American service and sales. Prior to joining MIAS, McWherter serviced as vice president of North America customer support for Swisslog Healthcare Solutions.
Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
Wayne Hurst was appointed to the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC), which serves as a forum for regulatory, policy and legislative issues pertaining to rail shippers and railroads. An agricultural producer in Burley, Idaho, Hurst is a past president of the Idaho Grain producers Association and National Association of Wheat Growers.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:
Cargill Inc., Minneapolis
Former Sara Lee executive, Marcel Smits, becomes chief financial officer, effective April 15. Smits served in a variety of financial management positions for Unilever in Europe, Latin America and Asia throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, lastly as senior vice president of finance for China. Cargill's CFO position was vacated in November 2012 when Sergio Rial left the company to return to his native Brazil.
Mondelez International, Inc., Deerfield, Ill.
Ratan N. Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, a private sector philanthropic trust in India, was nominated to the board of directors. He was also chairman of the major Tata Group companies, including Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Global Beverages until 2012. All incumbent members of the board will stand for re-election.
Sugar Brook Farms, Verona, Wis.
Kelly Longseth was promoted to president and COO, while Kim Schiro was promoted to chief financial officer. When the Kelly’s Kitchen brand launched in 2005, Longseth was one of two employees and managed sales, marketing and new product development.
George's Inc., Springdale, Ark.
Carl George and Charles George were named co-CEOs and presidents, effective April 5, replacing Gary George who will continue as the company's chairman. Executive responsibilities will continue to be shared, with Carl leading all areas of live production and processing and Charles leading sales, accounting, human resources, quality assurance and purchasing.
FOODSERVICE:
Sbarro, Melville, N.Y.
Current board chairman J. David Karam assumed the additional duties of chief executive officer, replacing Jim Greco, who resigned to pursue other business interests. Greco joined Sbarro just over a year ago as part of the company's turnaround bid following Chapter 11 reorganization. Karam previously served as president of Wendy's International from 2008-2011.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., Greenwood Village, Colo.
Steph Steil Hoppe was appointed vice president of menu innovation and implementation, responsible for overseeing the company’s culinary, R&D, quality assurance and food and beverage functions. Hoppe brings to Red Robin more than 20 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning, product innovation and brand positioning. Before joining Red Robin, Hoppe served as vice president of marketing and culinary for Lonestar Steakhouse where she led marketing strategy, field marketing, promotions development and execution for all brands, and spearheaded the rapid development and launch of the Firefly Kitchen & Bar.
Burger King Worldwide Inc., Miami
Daniel Schwartz will become the chief executive, effective July 1, replacing Bernardo Hees, who will move to H.J. Heinz Co. as CEO. As chief financial officer since 2010, Schwartz led the company’s international growth plan that included new master franchise partnerships in China, Russia and Brazil; a North America restaurant image transformation program; and Burger King’s return to the New York Stock Exchange last June. He has been named chief operating officer in the interim. Replacing Schwartz as CFO is Joshua Kobza, formerly senior vice president of global finance. Steve Wiborg was promoted to chairman for North America, focusing on franchise efforts and long-term brand strategies, and Alex Macedo was appointed president for North America. Lastly, Rodrigo Musiello will become executive vice president for global operations, while Jose Dias will assume the roles of executive vice president for global development and president for Latin America and the Caribbean.
SUPPLIERS:
Norfolk Southern, Norfolk, Va.
Tom Schnautz was tapped assistant vice president research and advanced technology, assuming the responsibilities of Gerhard Thelen, who is retiring after a 36-year career. Schnautz joined Norfolk Southern in 1993 as a management trainee in the engineering department. He progressed through a variety of engineering positions and most recently was director of advanced train control.
Sionix Corp., Houston, Texas
Dr. Henry Sullivan was appointed chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors. Sullivan has been a director of Sionix since October 2012, and he has been active in the technical and operating management of the company since.
ATMI, Inc., Danbury, Conn.
Robert Hillas, a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee, announced his retirement, effective May 2013. Hillas has served as a director of ATMI since 1987. Hillas contributed expertise in financial analysis and technology-based business development, and helped guide ATMI from a technology-focused start-up company into a global technology leader in microelectronics, life sciences and emerging opportunities in resource and energy fields.
Accellos, Colorado Springs, Colo.
David Dick was named director of Asia Pacific channel sales. Dick brings more than 12 years’ experience in sales, marketing, product management, business development and product services management for supply chain software technologies.
