ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:

Grocery Manufacturers Association, Washington, D.C.
GMA added two new directors to its federal affairs staff. Nancy Kohler joins from the Corn Refiners Association, where she was assistant director for policy and operations, responsible for coordinating federal government relations activities, including managing the association’s Government Relations Committee and overseeing several safety and technical programs for member companies. And, David Prestwood most recently served as senior policy advisor to Senator Patty Murray (Wash.), where he managed a portfolio of issues related to commerce, financial services and technology, among others. He also represented Senator Murray in her role as a member of the Senate leadership and led communications initiatives in support of her policy priorities.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

Ready Pac Foods, Irwindale, Calif.
Michael Solomon, president and CEO, announced his retirement, with Phillip Theodore, chief operating officer, assuming the president and CEO responsibilities. Solomon has been with Ready Pac since 2006, and has been president and CEO since 2008.

BrightFarms, New York, N.Y.
Neal Parikh was named vice president of finance, responsible for leading the effort to finance BrightFarms’ greenhouse farms and execute strategies to further the company’s environmental mission. Neal is an infrastructure development and finance professional with significant experience originating and executing sustainable infrastructure projects that generate commercial, environmental and social returns. Most recently, Neal managed the environmental finance portfolio for Morgan Stanley's Global Sustainable Finance group. He also conceptualized and launched a first-of-its-kind financial intermediary for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration, which was designed to scale energy efficiency investments.

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Oak Brook, Ill.
Christopher Sliva was promoted to executive vice president of TreeHouse Foods and president of Bay Valley Foods, a business unit of TreeHouse Foods. Sliva joined TreeHouse Foods in July 2012 after a successful career with several consumer packaged goods companies, including Dean Foods, Procter & Gamble, Eastman Kodak and Ft. James Corp. Additionally, Harry Walsh was appointed to the newly created role of executive vice president, acquisitions integration. Walsh joined TreeHouse Foods in January 2005 as one of the company's founders. Prior to that, Walsh held senior management positions at Keebler Foods Co., Bake-Line Products, Sunshine Biscuits, G.F. Industries and Granny Goose Foods.

FOODSERVICE:

Ruby Tuesday, Inc., Maryville, Tenn.
Jeffrey Wood was appointed senior vice president and chief development officer, responsible for supporting the repositioning effort around design elements for the Ruby Tuesday brand, in addition to future real estate design and development strategies for the Ruby Tuesday and Lime Fresh Mexican Grill concepts. Wood, a restaurant development veteran with more than 27 years of industry experience, joins Ruby Tuesday from his most recent role as the chief development officer of Qdoba Restaurant Corp. Meanwhile, Mark Bibby joined the company as vice president of culinary and beverage – executive chef. Bibby brings more than 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry as a concept chef for private and public companies, most recently serving as the vice president of culinary operations for Smokey Bones Restaurants.

SUPPLIERS:

Kansas City Southern, Kansas City, Mo.
Darin Selby was promoted to vice president energy markets and short line partner relations, responsible for the coal business unit, short line partner relations and developing business in the emerging energy markets, such as crude oil, frac sand and alternative energy sources. Selby has 20 years of transportation experience.

DeltaTRAK, Pleasanton, Calif.
Peter Norton was named director of business development, responsible for business development for DeltaTRAK’s worldwide initiatives. The cold chain industry veteran brings extensive experience in global programs and project management, along with a thorough knowledge of e-Pedigree and track-and-trace initiatives and regulations.

Norfolk Southern Corp., Norfolk, Va.
James Squires was named president, effective June 1, responsible for the corporation’s administration, finance, law, corporate relations, planning and information technology divisions. Cindy Earhart was promoted to executive vice president administration, and Juan Cunningham will become vice president of human resources. Effective July 1, Daniel Smith, senior vice president energy and properties, has elected to retire after 37 years with the company. Additionally, David Lawson will become vice president of coal marketing, while Michael McClellan will become vice president of industrial products. Jeffrey Heller was promoted to vice president of intermodal and automotive marketing.