ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, D.C.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) board took in seven new appointments, all serving 3-year terms beginning July 1 through June 30, 2016. Newly appointed members are Alan Bernon, Region 7; Thomas Davis III, Region 10; Robert McCullough, at-large processor; and Brian DeFelice, at-large processor. Newly reappointed members are James Walsh, Region 1; Dwight Moore, Jr., Region 4; and Henry Michon, Region 13.

Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Arlington, Va.
Mark Baum was named senior vice president of industry relations and chief collaboration officer, responsible for engaging retailer, supplier, manufacturer and service provider CEO’s to help raise the bar on industry collaboration at all points of the food retail chain. Baum’s career in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry spans more than 25 years. He is recognized among the foremost experts in the management of strategy, sales, marketing and merchandising activities in the food, beverage, consumer products and retail industries.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

Famous Brands International, the parent company of TCBY Yogurt and Mrs. Fields Cookies, Broomfield, Colo.
Neal Courtney was appointed chief executive officer. He has been with the company for more than eight years and has held roles in finance, sales and general management, including serving as the company’s interim CEO since February.

Marfrig Alimentos S.A., São Paulo,Brazil
The Marfrig Beef Segment organizational structure split into two operational units—Brazil and Southern Cone. As a result, effective Sept. 1, Andrew Murchie retains his position as chief executive officer of Marfrig Beef Brazil, while Martín Secco takes the position of chief executive officer of Marfrig Beef Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil and Pampeano). Murchie has 20 years of experience in the beef industry, having worked at Anglo Alimentos S.A., BF Alimentos and Friboi Group. Secco has been with Marfrig since the company took operations in Uruguay through the acquisition of Frigorifico Tacuarembó, which previously belonged to his family. He has 25 years of experience in the beef industry, and since 2007, has been responsible for the operations of Marfrig Group in Uruguay and Chile. Meanwhile, Sérgio Rial is in the transition process to take over as chief executive officer of the Marfrig group, while Marcos Molina takes over as chairman of the board of directors. James Cruden, chief executive officer of the Marfrig Beef Division for South America, announced his resignation, closing a career that spans 47 years, with 39 of these dedicated to Brazil. He will remain CEO of Marfrig Beef until Aug. 31.

CHS Inc., St. Paul, Minn.
Veteran food industry financial leader Timothy Skidmore was named executive vice president and CFO, effective Aug. 19. Skidmore succeeds David Kastelic, who in January announced his retirement effective Sept. 3. Skidmore most recently was vice president, financial planning and analysis at Campbell Soup Co., where he led financial planning and reporting for the company.

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., Canton, Mass.
The parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins elected Carl Sparks to the board of directors, effective July 26. Sparks, president and CEO of Travelocity Global, has an extensive background in e-commerce, consumer brands and retailing.

Chobani, Inc., New Berlin, N.Y.
David Denholm was named president and COO, effective July 29. Denholm brings more than 20 years of consumer packaged goods experience. Meanwhile, Peter McGuinness was appointed chief marketing and brand officer, effective July 22. McGuinness joins Chobani with a successful track record of shaping, growing and transforming some of the world's most iconic brands.

FOODSERVICE:

Country Style Cooking Restaurant Chain Co., Ltd., China
Jin (Winston) Li was named independent director and a member of the audit committee and the corporate governance and nominating committee, replacing May Wu, who resigned for personal reasons. Li has extensive experience in corporate finance, governance and management.

SSP, London
Kate Swann was appointed chief executive officer, effective Sept. 4. She succeeds Andrew Lynch, who will stand down after nine years in the role. Swann has a 23-year career in the retail industry and was CEO of WHSmith for 10 years.

SUPPLIERS:

SCS Global Services, Emeryville, Calif.
Carl Cothran joined as head of the certification services for the flooring industry. Cothran brings several decades of experience and leadership to the position, including extensive technical expertise in international manufacturing management. Cothran most recently served as senior director of quality assurance for Mohawk, and has worked for TexTure Tex Inc., Horizon Industries, Inc., Integrated Products Plant 12 and Trend Carpet Mills, overseeing projects that ranged from business development to quality assurance, especially in meeting environmental standards requirements.

Junction Solutions, Denver, Colo.
John Bonati was named senior vice president of sales, responsible for managing the global sales activities for the company’s software and service solutions. Bonati brings more than 25 years of experience working with some of the world’s leading enterprise software and services companies, as well as an extensive history of sales growth achievements.

HighJump Software, Minneapolis
Jonathan Kwok was named director of Asia-Pacific (APAC) sales. Based in Shanghai, he is responsible for channel management and will lead the expansion of the HighJump Supply Chain Advantage suite in the region. Kwok has nearly 20 years of experience in logistics software, from development and system design to professional services and channel management.

Power Automation Systems, Lathrop, Calif.
Bob Thompson joined as director, customer consulting services, responsible for assisting customers in developing the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for their warehouse operations. Thompson’s background includes 25-plus years in C-level positions leading and managing the design and operation of automated warehouse facilities with companies such as Deluxe Media Services and Macmillan Publishing. As a consultant, he has worked in supply chain optimization, transportation, strategic network design, best practices, facility design, slotting and staff development as well as warehouse management system design and integration.

Liqui-Box Corp., Worthington, Ohio
Ken Swanson was named chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1. Swanson brings more than 25 years of global experience with multiple types of manufacturing technologies across a full range of sales channels. He most recently served as executive vice president, flexible packaging for Berry Plastics Corp., and currently serves as vice chairman of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Association.

Americold, Atlanta
Keith Goldsmith was appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Goldsmith joins the organization after serving as senior vice president business development for CEVA Logistics, overseeing the development of supply chain solutions for the company’s premier clients.