ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Atlantic Salmon Federation, Canada
Alan Graham was appointed chair the Canadian board of directors, taking over for Michael Meighen, who has held the position for 10 years. Graham served in the New Brunswick Legislature for 31 years, winning eight consecutive elections. During that time, he held various cabinet posts, including the minister of agriculture, minister of natural resources and deputy premier. As a minister, he led the development of the New Brunswick trail network, which spans the Province and connects with the Appalachian Trail system in Maine. He also introduced the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, which has directed millions of dollars from the purchase of fishing and hunting licenses toward conservation. Graham is a past director of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and is currently a board member of the Miramichi Uganda Foundation Inc.

ASHRAE, Atlanta
Timothy Wentz, associate professor of University of Nebraska – Lincoln, was appointed new president. Other officers appointed to a 1-year term are president-elect Bjarne Olesen, professor, Technical University of Denmark; treasurer Sheila Hayter, group manager of National Renewable Energy Laboratory; vice president Walid Chakroun, professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University; vice president Patricia Graef, senior engineer, evaporative media core technology, research and development, Munters Corp.; vice president Ginger Scoggins, president, Engineered Designs; and vice president Edward Tsui, managing director, Intelligent Technologies Ltd. The following directors will serve 3-year terms from 2016-19: region IV director and regional chair George W. “Billy” Austin Jr., principal, Shultz Engineering Group; region V director and regional chair Douglas David Fick, vice president, TRC Worldwide MEP; region VI director and regional chair Benjamin Skelton, president, Cyclone Energy Group; region XII director and regional chair Daniel Rogers, president, Flow Control Technology Co.; region XIII director and regional chair Ir. Ng Yong Kong, NYK Engineering and Trading and executive director of Bezaire Sdn. Bhd.; director-at-large Essam Eldin Khalil, professor of mechanical engineering, Cairo University; director-at-large Thomas “Tom” M. Lawrence, mechanical engineering program coordinator and professor, College of Engineering, University of Georgia; and director-at-large Lawrence Markel, senior program director, CSRA, Inc.

World Resources Institute (WRI), Washington, D.C.
Dr. Liz Goodwin will join as senior fellow and director, food loss and waste, tasked with advancing the association’s efforts to encourage countries and companies to measure and monitor food loss and waste as well as engaging the public and private sectors to implement solutions and further building partnerships for action. Goodwin spent 15 years with The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), including nine years as chief executive officer, where she helped reduce the amount of food wasted in homes across the United Kingdom by 21% over just five years.

Chesapeake Bay Commission, Annapolis, Md.
Dennis Treacy was appointed as the new Virginia citizen representative. Treacy recently stepped away from his role as executive vice president and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods, Inc., and currently serves as president of the Smithfield Foundation until his retirement in late 2016. Prior to joining Smithfield Foods, Treacy was director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and also served as assistant attorney general in the natural resources section of the Virginia Attorney General’s office.  

California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), Fresno, Calif.
Current president Barry Bedwell announced plans to transition from the organization to serve as president of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF). Bedwell has been president of CFFA since 2003. As a result, the board hired former 8-term U.S. Congressman George Radanovich as new president. Radanovich served in Congress from 1995-2011, representing California's 19th district. He is also a farmer who began growing premium wine grapes in Mariposa County in 1982, after observing a micro climate in the area suitable for their growth. He was a member of the Mariposa County board of supervisors from 1988-1992, serving as chairman in 1991. Both appointments will be effective Aug. 1.

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), Salinas, Calif.
Barry Bedwell was named new president, effective Aug. 1, responsible for directing all foundation activities and guiding the leadership program to a half-century of excellence and beyond. Bedwell has been president and CEO of the California Fresh Fruit Association since 2003 (see previous news item). He has also served in leadership positions for numerous organizations, including United Fresh Produce Association, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Fresno State Bulldog Foundation, Alliance for Food and Farming, Agricultural President’s Council and USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables. Outgoing CALF president and CEO Bob Gray is retiring after seven years with the foundation.

Specialty Food Association, New York
David Gremmels, president of Rogue Creamery, was elected to the board of directors. In 2015, Gremmels received the Specialty Food Association Business Leadership Award, which recognizes members who have gone above and beyond in advancing food standards by creating social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and vision.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Capespan Group, Austria
Johan Dique announced his retirement as managing director, effective June 30, due to some recent health challenges. Dique has played a significant role over the last five years in the restructuring and turnaround of Capespan’s business. As a result, Tonie Fuchs was tapped to take over, effective July 1. Fuchs is a qualified attorney by trade, and served as chief operating officer of Thembeka Capital Ltd. Fuchs joined Capespan Group in 2013 as executive assistant to the Group MD. He has also been instrumental in the repositioning and expansions within all three of Capespan’s operating divisions—fruit, logistics and farms.

Cermaq, Canada
Jon Hindar announced plans to leave the company, effective July 4, as chief executive officer, a position he has held for the past five years. As a result, Geir Molvik was appointed new chief executive officer. Molvik has worked in different leaderships positions in Cermaq Group since 2005, more recently as chief operating officer for Cermaq Norway. When Molvik takes on his new position, Snorre Jonassen will become acting COO for Cermaq Norway, until a permanent solution has been found.

Sobeys Inc., Canada
Lyne Castonguay was appointed chief merchandising officer, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the retailer’s go-to-market strategy, including category management, marketing, data insights, research, procurement, private label, merchandising and digital strategy. For the past 14 years, Castonguay has held senior positions with The Home Depot in Canada the United States, most recently serving as senior vice president, home services. Prior to The Home Depot, Castonguay worked for General Electric in Canada, where she held numerous roles, including general manager for the Canadian lighting business. She maintains experience in both retailing and manufacturing in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

All Fresh GPS, Sparta, Mich.
Joe Aronica was hired as new director of sales and business development. Aronica has spent his entire career in the produce industry, with over 23 years in sales and business development roles in the apple industry working for the Washington Apple Committee, Rainier Fruit Co. and Sage Fruit Co.

Walmart Canada, Canada
Lee Tappenden, currently chief operations officer, was promoted to president and CEO, effective Aug. 15. Tappenden joined Walmart in 1996, and has held a number of global leadership roles, including chief merchandising officer with Walmart Japan and vice president of merchandising for the international division. In 2010, he was named senior vice president, merchandise operations and later chief merchandising officer. Meanwhile, Bob Hakeem, chief administrative officer, will assume the role of chief operations officer. After joining Walmart Canada in 2008 as senior vice president for the Walmart Canada people division, Hakeem was named executive vice president, human resources in 2012. He has played an important role in developing talent and bench strength in the organization, while also helping guide the business through the introduction of supercenters and other major changes in the market. Hakeem brings more than 25 years of business experience and is an executive board member for the Retail Council of Canada.

Clearwater Seafoods Inc., Canada
The following are newly elected directors: Colin MacDonald, assistant professor, Department of Mathematics at The University of British Columbia; John Risley, president of Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.; Jane Craighead, senior vice president of global human resources for Scotiabank; Larry Hood, chair of the Audit Committee; Harold Giles, senior executive of operations and human resources in Global Corp. (GE) and Canadian Communications (Bell); Brendan Paddick, chief executive officer of Columbus International Inc.; Mickey MacDonald, entrepreneur; Stan Spavold, executive vice president of Clearwater Fine Foods; and Jim Dickson, director of sales, Canada for Ice River Springs Water Co. Inc.        

Handy Seafood Inc., Salisbury, Md.
Todd Conway, president and COO, is expanding his role to chief executive officer, effective immediately. Terry Conway, who purchased the company in 1981, continues as executive chairman. After college, Todd worked in the financial field for large manufacturing firms before re-joining Handy in 2007 as senior vice president of finance and administration. This announcement comes on the heels of Handy Seafood changing its name from Handy International. 

Pocono ProFoods, Stroudsburg, Pa.
Drew Snyder was named to the newly created position of chief development officer, effective immediately, responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of development efforts in sales, marketing, culinary and brand development, and directing the continuous new account acquisition effort for street business into the company’s tri-state market and multi-unit business throughout the 13-state footprint. Over the past six years as the director of business development, Snyder improved the company’s go-to-market strategy and led the effort to re-brand to Pocono ProFoods. He also serves on several boards and committees, including Pro*Act, FAB., Inc. Sales and Marketing Committee and the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.

Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Los Alamitos, Calif.
Long-time produce industry professional Kevin Leap joined as director of business development. Leap was most recently with West Pak Avocado, developing new business programs in both retail and foodservice. Previously, he was the director of sales at Dulcinea Farms and sales manager at Ready Pac Specialties.

Flowers Foods, Thomasville, Ga.
Mary Krier now serves as senior vice president of communications and corporate responsibility, responsible for the company's communications, consumer relations and strategic communications counsel at corporate and subsidiary levels. Krier joined Flowers in 1990, and was successively assigned increasing levels of responsibility, including manager, director and vice president of communications. Prior to joining Flowers, she was a writer and editor for trade and consumer press in the Chicago area. Likewise, Chad Johnson was named vice president of distributor communications, responsible for independent distributor communications as well as communications support for distributor relations and sales staff. Johnson joined Flowers' Villa Rica, Ga., bakery as a sales associate in 1995, and held positions in information systems, human resources and communications at Flowers' home office.

Empire Co. Ltd., division of Sobeys, Canada
President and CEO Marc Poulin left the company, effective immediately. François Vimard, the company’s chief financial and administrative officer, was appointed interim president and CEO. A chartered professional accountant, Vimard brings a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of Empire and Sobeys to his new position. He maintains more than 30 years of experience in the food retailing business, joining Sobeys in1995. Clinton Keay, Empire's executive vice president of finance will assume the role of interim chief financial officer. Keay is a chartered professional accountant who joined Sobeys in 1989, and has held a number of progressively senior finance roles before being appointed senior vice president and CIO in 2002 and executive vice president of finance in 2014.

Del Monte Foods, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Paul Miller was promoted to senior vice president and CFO, responsible for financial and risk management, including treasury. Miller joined Del Monte Foods in March 2014 as senior vice president controller, and in March 2015, was appointed senior vice president of finance and CAO. Meanwhile, Robert Long was appointed vice president and CIO. Long comes from Big Heart Pet Brands, where he was vice president information technology, tasked with leading corporate-wide technology initiatives through periods of significant change, including the implementation of Big Heart Pet Brands’ cloud-based enterprise resource planning software. Prior to joining Big Heart Pet Brands, Long was vice president technical services and information technology at Copart and chief information officer for Anristu.

FOODSERVICE:
Chicken Salad Chick, Auburn, Ala.
Tom Carr was appointed vice president, marketing, responsible for leading the marketing team in developing and executing brand, national and local marketing initiatives. Carr's experience includes marketing leadership roles with Discovery Communications, Spanx, Nike and Turner Broadcasting, as well as owner of an independent marketing consultancy. He established his professional reputation in multi-unit restaurant and beverage advertising in senior roles at top agencies, where he managed Coca-Cola Fountain, Outback Steakhouse and helped take Little Caesars Pizza from a regional to a national chain. Meanwhile, Carrie Evans was named director of franchise development, tasked with assisting franchisees in achieving their long-term goals while staying true to the brand's core values. Evan's brings 13 years in the franchising industry. She was previously director of development for Nothing Bundt Cakes, where she helped the company double its number of locations. Prior to that, she held multiple roles during a long-term tenure with CiCi's Pizza. Evan's experience lends to many facets of developing a franchise, from awarding franchises to new owners, to assisting franchisees with the build-out process and seeing them through the grand opening phase. In addition, she is particularly proficient with building and implementing processes to reinforce the infrastructure of a brand.

Brinker International, Inc., Dallas
Kelli Valade was named president of Chili's Grill & Bar, responsible for overseeing all aspects of domestic restaurant operations, marketing, franchising and PeopleWorks. With 20 years of experience at Brinker International, Valade has held multiple leadership roles in PeopleWorks and operations, most recently serving as executive vice president and COO for Chili's. Prior to joining Brinker International, Valade held a human resources position at Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. Meanwhile, Doug Comings was named Valade's successor as senior vice president and COO for Chili's, tasked with overseeing operations for all Chili's domestic restaurants. Previously, Comings served in a dual capacity as vice president of domestic franchise and regional vice president for Chili's, where he oversaw operations for over 570 company-owned and franchised restaurants, including new restaurant development and franchisee relationships and agreements. Comings began his career in 1994 as a Chili's server, and over the past 22 years, has grown into various operations leadership roles. 

SUPPLIERS:
MULTIVAC, Inc., Kansas City, Mo.
Brian Walker joined as one of the field service technicians focusing on the Western region of the United States. Walker will be responsible for working directly with customers to identify and resolve issues with their machines. He will also work with customers on new installations by ensuring the machine is operational and functioning correctly from the first day. Walker has spent the last eight years working as a technician in the dairy processing industry, where he worked on and repaired heavily automated machinery, as well as performed quarterly and annual preventative maintenance functions. Prior to this, he worked as a hydraulic technician, where he designed and installed hydraulic systems on hooklift and field service trucks.

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc., South San Francisco
Laura Flanagan was appointed to the board of directors, serving as an independent director for a term that expires in 2017. Flanagan was the president of the snacks division of ConAgra Foods, Inc. from 2011-2014, and served as president of ConAgra's convenient meals division from 2008-2011. Prior to joining ConAgra in 2008, Flanagan was vice president and chief marketing officer for PepsiCo’s Tropicana Shelf Stable Juices from 2005-2008. She has also held various marketing leadership positions at General Mills, Inc. and PepsiCo Inc. from 1996-2005.

AIT Worldwide Logistics, Itasca, Ill.
Valerian Ferreira was named international station manager for the company’s newly expanded Toronto, Canada, international operations department. A veteran of the transportation management industry, Ferreira maintains 34 years of industry experience.

Vehicle Inspection Systems, Orlando, Fla.
Kristen Chapman was appointed new marketing manager, charged with managing and facilitating all marketing efforts, including tradeshows and other events, content creation and lead generation. Previously, Chapman was a marketing writer and coordinator in the automotive industry, where she managed and assisted with event programs, social media efforts and developed content for various platforms. She also interned in the public relations department of Spectra, a Comcast company formerly known as Global Spectrum.

Baldor Electric Co., Fort Smith, Ark.
Matt Price was named new food and beverage industry business manager, responsible for gaining specification and preference at key food and beverage accounts and driving the development of industry strategies, relationships, corporate agreements and sales demand. Price joined the company in 1992, and has held jobs of increasing responsibility such as field sales engineer, corporate purchasing category manager and plant manager. For the past four years, he worked as general manager of a cooking equipment company, where he led design, manufacturing and sales efforts focused on supermarket and restaurant national chain accounts.