ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Produce Marketing Association (PMA), Newark, Del.
Dennis Danovich was promoted to data analyst manager, responsible for providing feedback and guidance on the success of its value offerings, business plans and strategies. Danovich joined PMA in 2015. Previously, he worked as a senior process engineer at JPMorgan Chase and as a business support and reengineering analyst for Barclaycard US. Alina Henry joined as senior marketing strategy manager, responsible for the development of integrated marketing plans around PMA events and PMA membership initiatives. Henry joined PMA’s marketing team in 2013, and has served as a marketing manager for CVS Caremark and a business analyst for Pepper & Rogers Group. Criztal Hernandez joined as a marketing strategy manager, accountable for developing integrated marketing campaign plans, associated strategic positioning and messaging that support PMA and Center for Growing Talent by PMA (CGTbyPMA). George Szczepanski was promoted to director of business development, responsible for achieving PMA sponsorship and advertising goals and leading the business development team. He joined PMA’s business development team in 2010, and has sold fresh imported fruits for Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. Tracy Wise was promoted to vice president of marketing, responsible for leading the marketing department in planning and integrating communications across PMA and CGTbyPMA platforms. Wise joined PMA’s marketing team in 2012, and has served in several leadership roles in brand and product marketing, including leading strategic direction as a brand director for AstraZeneca. Perry Bacon was named education manager, responsible for the strategic development and implementation of PMA education and the development of curriculum for PMA and CGTbyPMA programs. Before PMA, he worked for non-profit organizations and corporations, where he was responsible for inception and ongoing training, as well as volunteer and educator training. Jasen Bange serves as business development specialist, where he supports PMA’s U.S. and global business development efforts with an emphasis on the fulfillment of sponsorship and advertising sales. Previously, he worked at Sallie Mae as a collections specialist. Kim Coker joined as the business development manager for the Eastern U.S. and Canada, where she works closely with PMA members and produce commodity boards, commissions, associations, retailers and producers. She comes from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, division of marketing, where she served Florida’s agricultural community for 16 years. Michelle Hill was named assistant to the executive office, working directly with PMA’s executive officers and PMA’s board of directors. Previously, she served as an executive assistant to the vice president of the office of the customer advocate at Sallie Mae. Bill Hyman was named facilities services manager, where he oversees the preventive maintenance of facility equipment and is responsible for the safety and security of staff, PMA event shipments and other operational logistics. Hyman spent 16 years as the purchasing, facilities and contracts manager for the International Literacy Association. Colleen McDonnell was appointed exposition and sponsorship sales manager, working closely with the director of tradeshows and other PMA teams to determine appropriate exhibit spaces for sale and fulfillment. Previously, she spent four years as an olde world cheese department manager at Wegmans Food Markets. Josh Moorhead was named graphic designer, supporting all facets of creative work for PMA and CGTbyPMA. Before PMA, he served as a freelance art director for Sterilox, and has previously worked as an interactive designer, creating display media concepts for brands such as Volkswagen, Disney and Tyson Foods. Lastly, Lauren Scott was named chief marketing officer, responsible for global strategic leadership to increase consumer demand for fresh produce and floral products through association and industry marketing initiatives. She maintains 20 years’ experience in consumer goods marketing, innovation and brand management, and has worked as a marketing executive for beverage companies like Diageo and PepsiCo.
Center for Growing Talent by PMA (CGTbyPMA), Produce Marketing Association, Newark, Del.
Alicia Calhoun was promoted to vice president, talent portfolio, responsible for the strategic direction of all talent programs focusing on program management, external relationships and knowledge management. Calhous has been with CGTbyPMA for nine years. Previously, she was PMA’s director of industry technology and standards for 16 years. Megan Nash was promoted to program director, where she will concentrate on the execution and expansion of current CGTbyPMA programs. She has been with CGTbyPMA for three years. She began her career in produce in 2008, spending five years as a sales and customer service representative with Country Fresh Mushroom Co., Inc. Lois Giovacchini was named major gifts manager, responsible for advancing a portfolio of corporate and individual donors and prospects in support of the educational arm of PMA. Prior to joining CGTbyPMA, she served as director of development for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where she was responsible for raising more than $4 million annually. Quincy Inman joined as the contributor relations coordinator, responsible for creating, developing and executing a contributor relations program aimed to inform and acknowledge CGTbyPMA donors. Prior to CGTbyPMA, he worked for the National United Cerebral Palsy as a senior director of special events, where he assisted with the development and expansion of new events, fundraising campaigns and special projects.
Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, Oak Bluffs, Mass.
Richard Karney announced plans to step down as director, transitioning to a part-time position within the organization.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Market Source, division of Maglio Cos., Glendale, Wis.
Produce expert Silvia Franco joined as general manager of the McAllen, Texas, operation. Franco brings proficiency to international sourcing as well as domestic produce logistics. Her duties will include supplier relationships, procurement, sales and logistics.
The Oppenheimer Group, Canada
Maryam Ahoo joined as sales representative in late October, strengthening the full-service marketing and distribution company’s presence in Western Canada. Ahoo comes with varied sales and marketing experience, including her prior role as a membership development representative with Farmers of North America. Ahoo also presented at the 20th International Farm Management Congress in Quebec in July 2015, and published a thesis on supply chain management and case study research on the role of fresh fruit and vegetables within a top Western Canadian retailer.
Market Fresh Produce, Nixa, Mo.
Frank Pichler was named vendor inventory management specialist, responsible for preparing reports, collecting and interpreting data to improve key vendor-managed inventory performance metrics, forecasting sales data sent to pricing committee and supply partners, managing inventory and placing accurate daily orders for customers and providing timely and accurate fulfillment of daily replenishment orders for customers. His experience includes working as an inventory specialist at Bass Pro Shops for the last nine years. Other positions include a conceal and carry weapons instructor at Pichler Design Defense Solutions and a landscape designer at Pichler Design Landscape.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Los Alamitos, Calif.
Allen DeMo joined as director of procurement and sourcing, effective Dec. 1. DeMo maintains more than 25 years of experience in the produce industry, having had leadership roles at Green Thumb Produce, DiMare Fresh, Ready Pac Specialties and most recently DLJ Distributing. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council.
Greencore Group, Danvers, Mass.
Thomas Sampson, former chief executive officer of Peacock Foods, which Greencore recently acquired, was appointed as a senior advisor, responsible for managing customer transition and integration over the next two years. Chris Kirke was named chief executive office of the new U.S. division, which, after completion, will include Peacock Foods.
Cargill, Minneapolis
Joe Stone, chief risk officer and the leader of the company's animal nutrition enterprise, was elected to the board of directors, effective Dec. 1. Since joining Cargill 31 years ago, Stone has led two of the company's most significant acquisitions—the $2 billion purchase in 2011 of Provimi, followed in 2015 by the $1.6 billion acquisition of EWOS. Stone has held various management positions in the company's agricultural supply chain and global trading businesses in the United States and Switzerland.
BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, Canada
Stan Swales was named chief executive officer, effective Nov. 28. Swales brings over 30 years of experience, having started in the industry in 1985 at Okanagan North Growers Co-Op, where he spent 20 years in various roles, including horticulture and operations. From there, he moved to Growers Supply Co. Ltd. as the general manager, where he remained for 10 years. For the last year, Swales has been a business representative for BASF Canada. Chief financial officer Warren Everton will remain acting CEO until Dec. 27.
Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, Calif.
Samantha Cabaluna was named vice president of brand marketing and communications to lead the evolution of the company’s marketing and communications program. Previously, Cabaluna spent 14 years at Earthbound Farm, where she was instrumental in building and protecting the company’s brand, overseeing all communications and marketing initiatives, including consumer and shopper marketing, packaging/graphic design, public relations, issues and crisis management, social media and web communications, as well as serving as the company’s primary spokesperson.
Tribe Mediterranean Foods, a subsidiary of Nestlé SA and the OSEM Group, Taunton, Mass.
John McGuckin was appointed chief executive officer of the U.S. operations, effective Dec. 5. During his long career, he has served as executive vice president of North American sales and as general manager of Canada for Sabra; as global director and chief sales officer for The Chia Co.; and most recently as chief executive officer of Maya Kaimal Fine Indian Foods, LLC.
Save Mart Cos., Modesto, Calif.
Nicole Piccinini Pesco was named chief executive officer. Most recently, Pesco served as co-president and chief strategy and branding officer.
Meijer Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.
President Rick Keyes will add the title of chief executive officer to his title, effective Jan. 1, 2017, taking over for Hank Meijer, who will now serve as executive chairman of the board. Traditionally, the role of president has been held by a non-family member, with the CEO title through being held by Fred Meijer and Hank Meijer, respectively. Doug Meijer and Mark Meijer will also stay actively involved through their roles as directors.
FOODSERVICE:
Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Dallas, Texas
Eric Taylor will take over as president of the company, maintaining day-to-day responsibilities on all U.S. operations and strategic planning for franchise development. Taylor will first visit several U.S. locations to establish relationships with franchisees, develop best practices and better link the brand with executive operations. Taylor will also work to leverage Boston’s newly designed prototype by highlighting the brand’s premium sports bar as a competitive standard in the casual dining segment. Taylor arrives with more than 15 years of senior leadership experience at several international restaurant brands, including Sbarro and Bennigan’s. In his most recent position, Taylor served as the senior vice president and chief development officer at Rita’s Italian Ice, responsible for expanding its global footprint while overseeing more than 600 units.
Culver Franchising System Inc. (CFSI), Prairie Du Sac, Wis.
Joseph Koss, who has been chief financial officer since 2000, will become president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2017, taking over for Phil Keiser, who passed away Oct. 15. Koss joined CFSI in 1997 as controller. As CFO, he has overseen the overall financial planning, accounting and control functions, including budgeting, tax, treasury and audit activities. Koss also has led the information systems team and business analysis team. Meanwhile, senior vice president Jeff Bonner will become chief operating officer. Bonner maintains over 35 years of restaurant experience, having joined Culver's in 1999 as a franchise business consultant. He was promoted to director of operations in 2002, before being named vice president of operations in 2006. Now, as senior vice president, he oversees operations, training and design services, and has played a vital role in supporting franchisees and restaurant growth for 17 years.
Starbucks Corp., Seattle, Wash.
Kevin Johnson, president and COO and a 7-year member of the board of directors, will expand his responsibilities and assume the role of president and CEO, effective April 3, 2017. As president and COO since March 2015, Johnson has led the company’s global operating businesses across all geographies as well as the core support functions of Starbucks supply chain, marketing, human resources, technology, and mobile and digital platforms. Johnson's career spans 33 years in the technology industry, including a 16-year career at Microsoft and a 5-year tour as chief executive officer of Juniper Networks. At Microsoft, he led worldwide sales and marketing and became the president of the platforms division. In 2008, he was appointed to the National Security Telecommunication Advisory Committee, where he served Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He joined the Starbucks board in 2009, and the management team in 2015. Also effective April 3, 2017, Howard Schultz, chairman and CEP, will be appointed executive chairman, shifting his focus to innovation, design and development of Starbucks Reserve Roasteries around the world, expansion of the Starbucks Reserve retail store format and the company’s social impact initiatives. In this new role Schultz will continue to serve as chairman of the Board.
SUPPLIERS:
Robroy Industries, Verona, Pa.
The conduit division named Keith Merrill as general manager. Merrill brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in sales, business development and operations within the information technology and telecom segments. His areas of expertise include key account development, sales channel development (distributors, VARs and representatives), contract negotiations, KPI development, staff management, strategic marketing and P&L responsibility.
Norfolk Southern Corp., Norfolk, Va.
Mitchell Daniels Jr. was appointed director of the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. Daniels has been president of Purdue University since 2013, where he’s launched initiatives addressing higher education challenges in the areas of affordability and accessibility, world-changing research, transformative education and STEM leadership. He also served as governor of Indiana from 2005-2013, where he spearheaded reforms to improve the performance of state government, led the state to its first balanced budget in eight years and supported a record-breaking 10-year transportation and infrastructure program. He also held leadership positions in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations and management positions at the Hudson Institute and Eli Lilly. Marcela Donadio was appointed director of the Finance and Risk Management Committee and the Audit Committee. Prior to her retirement, Donadio served as Americas oil and gas sector leader, with responsibility for one of Ernst & Young’s significant industry groups helping set firm strategy for oil and gas industry clients in the United States and throughout the Americas. Donadio joined Ernst & Young LLP in 1976, and from 1989, served as an audit partner for multiple companies in the oil and gas industry. She has audit and public accounting experience with a specialization in domestic and international operations in all segments of the energy industry.
Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), San Antonio, Texas
Denise Sikes was named vice president, human resources, tasked with directing all human resources activities, including the creation of plans to develop and implement human resources strategies to support the company’s aggressive growth strategy for its multi-state operations. Sikes joins the company with 20 years’ experience in developing, delivering and managing human resources strategies and teams. Previously, Sikes held multiple HR management roles, most recently as vice president human resources at CyrusOne, where she managed HR and payroll functions for multi-state and international operations, and vice president human resources for TDECU. She’s also worked at Capital One, Beazer Homes and BP Corp., where she focused on organizational development, strategic staffing initiatives, succession planning, employee development and employee relations.
Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, Kan.
Suzanne Hurst was appointed human resources manager, responsible for recruitment, benefit negotiations, employee performance management and conflict resolution. She will also provide human resources guidance for the company’s other two divisions—Bunting Magnetics Europe and Magnet Applications, Inc. Hurst brings more than 10 years of experience, with human resources positions in the service and manufacturing sectors with broad experience in training, conflict resolution, employee development, benefits, recruitment and EEO/Affirmative Action compliance.
EAS Consulting Group, LLC, Alexandria, Va.
Steve Armstrong joined the team of independent advisors, serving as an expert in food law and regulations and playing an integral role in EAS' new product development and labeling service. Armstrong maintains over 20 years of experience advising leading consumer products companies on marketing and regulatory matters. Most recently, he served as the chief food law counsel at Campbell Soup Co., where he counseled Campbell businesses on food safety, food policy, labeling and regulatory compliance, including matters involving the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and food agencies around the world. Before Campbell, Armstrong served as the senior marketing counsel at Energizer's Schick-Wilkinson Sword Division, as the assistant general counsel for marketing at Unilever US and as a regulatory and division counsel at Colgate-Palmolive Co.
ORBIS Corp., Oconomowoc, Wis.
Todd Mathes was named vice president of manufacturing for the plastics operations, leading the manufacturing operations with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency, continuous improvement, employee engagement and customer focus. Mathes maintains more than 25 years of manufacturing, marketing, sales and new business experience. He most recently served as the executive vice president for manufacturing operations for Berry Plastics Corp.
NewAge Industries, Southampton, Pa.
New to the board of directors are Matt Sullivan, Cecil Ursprung and Pat Sacco. Sullivan is president and CEO of the Dunmore Corp. Ursprung’s background includes positions as president, CEO and board member for Reflexite (now Orafol), and is currently on the board of the National Center for Employee Ownership. Sacco maintains over 30 years of experience in the life sciences and biopharmaceutical industries, and has held positions as senior vice president of manufacturing and vice president of engineering, among others, at Shire. Sacco also has experience with guiding organizations through rapid change and growth, developing long-term supply strategies and talent and human capital management of large organizations.
KUKA, Germany
Hans Ziegler, member of the supervisory board, announced plans to resign due to personal reasons, effective immediately. Ziegler has been a board member since June 2015.
