ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS), Wayne, Ill.
The board elected 2017 slate of officers, including Michael Barth, vice president of transportation and logistics, United Sugars, as president; Harry Zander, senior vice president, ECN Capital Rail Finance, as first vice president; and Tom Surma, manager of transportation services, CF Industries, as second vice president. Newly elected to the Executive Committee are Steve Blinn, senior commercial development manager for Norfolk Southern Corp.; Rob Cook, rail operations manager for Bunge North America; Scott Lurkins, senior director of business development, Anacostia Rail Holdings; and Steve Kirk, national sales for Oakley Transport.

Canada Beef, Canada
Mathieu Paré was named the new director of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE), effective immediately, taking over for Marty Carpenter, who will formally retire March 1. Trained in Western Canada's most demanding kitchens (La Chaumiere, Rouge, Quail's Gate Estate Winery, CP Rail's The Royal Canadian Pacific), Paré will lead a team to engage clients across Canada and around the world to build understanding of the Canadian beef brand and drive demand. Carpenter has worked in Canada's beef industry for over 23 years as one of the nation's premier Canadian beef ambassadors. He was instrumental in leading the development and operation of the CBCE.

International Association for Cold Storage Construction (IACSC), Alexandria, Va.
The arm of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) announced that Brian King, president of A M King, will continue to serve as the 2016-2017 chair. The following officers will remain in their current positions—Tim Nguyen, regional vice president of ESI Group, as vice chairman; Vince Free, project manager at SubZero Contractors, as treasurer; and Erik Gunderson, executive vice president of Primus Builders Inc., as immediate past chairman. Board members re-elected to 3-year terms include Peter Bartell, RHH Foam Systems Inc.; Bryan Doss, Trinity Insulation Co.; Marko Dzeletovich, Coldbox Builders; Jay Smith, Metl-Span LLC; Jake Stefan, ARCO Design/Build; Nick Steine, Steine Cold Storage, Inc.; and Chuck Zimmermann, Enviro Cold Storage Doors. Sam Tippmann, president of Tippmann Innovation, was elected as a new board member.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), Madison, Wis.
Suzanne Fanning was named vice president, national product communications, responsible for working with national media to develop programs for influencers, bloggers, retailers and culinary experts. She will also manage the websites, publications and events, and serve as a national spokesperson. Fanning was an immediate past president of The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA).

Idaho Grower Shipper Association, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Shawn Boyle was appointed the new president. Boyle brings with an impressive resume developed in the heart of potato country. For the last five years, he’s been a licensed attorney, independently managing the in-house legal affairs of multiple companies in the petroleum, transportation and farming industries, including Brad Hall & Associates, Inc. He also served as an extern for the Senate Majority Leadership during the 2011 Idaho State Legislative Session.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Albertsons Cos., Boise, Idaho
Narayan Iyengar was named senior vice president, digital marketing and e-commerce, responsible for leading all aspects of digital marketing, including loyalty programs, shopper marketing and the overall digital presence, as well as the e-commerce business, including home delivery. Iyengar's career spans nearly 20 years in e-commerce, digital and business transformation. Previously, he was vice president of e-commerce and digital travel trade for the Walt Disney Co., where he built, enhanced and optimized e-commerce capabilities across an eco-system spanning 20 websites and apps. Prior to that, Iyengar was a leader in McKinsey's Digital and Business Technology group, where he focused on helping global firms drive business value using technology. He started his career as a software engineer with IBM Global Services in 1996, and subsequently held several technology delivery and leadership roles in different firms.

Allen Harim, Seaford, Del.
Harry Tillman joined mid-January as senior manager of business development, with a strong focus on the company’s retail segment for its signature Nature’s Sensation brand. Tillman has spent the past 20 years as a sales operations and strategy executive with a deep background in high-quality, value-added and retail businesses. For instance, he spent the bulk of his career at Smithfield Foods, where held various roles, including general manager of the Smithfield Deli Group, and most recently as senior director of sales, where he oversaw a team of nine direct sales manager and eight brokers, with $200 million in annual revenue from key accounts such as Publix and Winn Dixie. Previously, he worked for ConAgra Foods and Pepsi-Cola.

Kroger Co., Cincinnati
Jerry Clontz was named mid-Atlantic division president, succeeding Joe Fey, who will retire from the company after 44 years of service, effective Feb. 10. Fey began his career with Kroger as a meat clerk in 1972, and was quickly promoted to a variety of leadership positions, including store management, deli/bakery merchandising and meat/seafood merchandising in both the company's central division and corporate office. In 1999, Fey was named vice president of merchandising for the Dillons division, and in 2008, was named vice president of merchandising for the Michigan division. In 2011, he was promoted to president of the QFC division. He was named to his current role in 2014. Clontz currently serves as senior vice president of operations of Harris Teeter, LLC.  He joined Harris Teeter in 1971 as a bagger, and has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including store manager, store director, district manager and regional director. In 1997, Clontz was named regional vice president, and was named to his current role in 2007.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (BEF Foods), New Albany, Ohio
Following the closing of the Bob Evans Restaurants transaction, president Mike Townsley will assume the role of president and CEO of Bob Evans. Townsley joined Bob Evans as president and COO of Owens Foods, Inc. in June 2003. He was appointed president of BEF Foods in June 2008. He also served as co-CEO from December 2014 to September 2015.

Nixa, MO - Market Fresh Produce, Nixa, Mo.
Dan Disseler was named category manager of the procurement team, responsible for building relationships and maintaining contact with vendors, sourcing product and negotiating a competitive cost of goods in his assigned produce lines and creating logistical efficiencies throughout the supply chain. Disseler has worked for Bass Pro for the past 6 years, working his way up to a retail specialist, where he’s helped coordinate promotions and track sales, inventory and pricing. Kayla Raymond was named vendor managed inventory specialist, responsible for managing inventory, placing accurate daily orders, collecting data, preparing reports and interpreting data to improve key vendor-managed inventory performance metrics. Previously, Raymond worked as a merchandise inventory maintenance assistant for O’Reilly Auto Parts, and then later as an inventory specialist for Bass Pro Shops. Tyler Johnson was hired as category manager, also in the procurement team, responsible for negotiating a competitive cost of goods in his assigned produce lines and developing and maintaining rapport with growers, shippers and other vendors. Johnson maintains a strong background in management and merchandising, having worked as a store manager for Journey’s Kidz before moving on to his most recent position as an assistant merchandiser/buyer for Bass Pro Shops for the past 8 years.

FOODSERVICE:
Sonic Corp., Oklahoma City, Okla.
Christina Bell Vaughan was named president of Sonic Restaurants, Inc. (SRI), the company's wholly owned subsidiary of drive-in restaurants, responsible for overseeing operations, facilities, field marketing and risk management for all company-owned drive-ins. Vaughan is a 15-year veteran of SONIC, joining the company in 2002 in field marketing. After spending a number of years working on both the marketing and operations, Vaughan was appointed vice president of market strategies in 2012, where she led the company's 20/20 Drive-In initiative to convert SONIC's 3,500-unit system to new point-of-sale and proprietary point-of-personalized service technology. Most recently, she served as vice president of franchise operations, responsible for leading, building and maintaining franchisee relationships in the central region of the United States.

SUPPLIERS:
Engage Technologies Corp., Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Hans Holterman was hired as sales application specialist for the European market. Holterman brings a wealth of experience to Squid Ink Manufacturing, with over 18 years’ experience in the marking and coding industry. Holterman began his career with Kortho Coding and Marking as a service engineer for roll coders, hot stamp equipment, hot roll coders and TTO printers. In 2009, he transitioned to a sales engineer position to help expand sales throughout the European market. Holterman is currently located in Squid Ink’s Netherlands office, where he is responsible for sales and application support, service-related procedure development and training, technical phone support, field service, equipment installation and training and bench repairs throughout Europe.

Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), San Antonio, Texas
Dr. Ruth Woiwode was appointed manager of livestock audit services, where she will work toward expanding the company’s on-farm audit services. Previously, Woiwode worked as a post-doctoral research scientist at New Mexico State University, focusing her doctoral research on behavior and handling of feedlot cattle, industry compliance with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) feedlot assessment for cattle handling and effects of initial handling on performance of fed cattle. In her new role, Woiwode will conduct assessments of livestock certification programs, conduct audits and trainings and work with producer groups to implement assessment and certification programs within the industry.

InContext Solutions, Chicago
Bob Mariano, innovative retail leader and founder of Mariano’s grocery chain, and Stuart Scholly, senior vice president and general manager at Akamai Technologies, joined as board of directors. Mariano maintains 49 years of grocery leadership experience, having started Mariano’s Fresh Market in 2010. Mariano retired as the chairman and CEO of Roundy’s, Inc. in September 2016 after merging Roundy’s with Kroger. Prior to Roundy’s, he was chief executive officer of Dominick’s Finer Foods, taking it public until Safeway bought the company in 1998. Meanwhile, Scholly oversees development of web application firewall, bot management and other security solutions for The Akamai Intelligent Platform. Previously, he served as president of Prolexic, which was acquired by Akamai in 2014, and maintains more than 25 years of technology and product management experience.

Tryon Solutions, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.
Fred Duyck was appointed to the newly formed chief financial officer position, effective Jan. 9, responsible for managing all financial and risk management operations. Previously, Duyck served as chief financial officer for the North Carolina Office of the Governor and the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), where he advised senior leadership on the effective use and management of the $22 billion state budget. Duyck also oversaw the Governor’s Office and OSBM Fiscal Department, which involved developing the biennial budget, financial reporting and policy and procedure reviews with the goal of increasing efficiencies and providing the highest quality state budgetary services to North Carolinians. Before joining OSBM, Duyck worked was chief operating officer for the North Carolina Industrial Commission, where he directed day-to-day operations. Duyck began his career as a tax associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, earning positions of increasing responsibility there and later at Maddison & Caison, LLP. This appointment comes on the heels of Tryon Solutions moving into a new headquarters location.

Winsupply Inc., Dayton, Ohio
Roland Gordon was named chief executive officer, effective Jan. 31, but will retain his title as president. Gordon is taking over for Jack Johnston, who is stepping down after leading the company through successive years of record growth. Johnston joined Winsupply as an accountant with Winsupply Group Services (WGS) in 1977. He became treasurer in 1980, and was named president in 1998. In 2005, Johnston became chief financial officer, and was promoted to president in July 2011 and chief executive officer in 2015. Gordon joined Winsupply in 1999 as a manager of WGS’ Reno, Nev., office. From there, he became risk manager, and was appointed chief financial officer and liaison to the subsidiary following Winsupply’s acquisition of Noland Co. in 2005. Gordon named chief financial officer in August 2011, and promoted to president in January 2016.

Norfolk Southern Corp., Norfolk, Va.
Effective Feb. 1, new members appointed to the board of directors include Thomas Werner, vice president corporate communications and chief sustainability officer; C.H. “Jake” Allison, Jr., vice president and treasurer; Susan Stuart, vice president audit and compliance; and Bruno Maestri, vice president government relations. Effective March 1, new members appointed to the board of directors include Jerry Hall, vice president mechanical; and Karol Lawrence, vice president network and service management. Werner joined Norfolk Southern in 1999 as director IT program management. He served in positions of increasing responsibility in the information technology department before being named vice president information technology in 2007. He was named vice president and treasurer, his most recent position, in 2013. Allison joined Norfolk Southern in 1993 as manager of audits. He served in audit and compliance, sourcing and accounting positions before being named vice president and controller in 2009. He was named vice president audit and compliance, his most recent position, in 2013. Stuart joined Norfolk Southern in 1985 as an information technology developer. She served in information technology and accounting positions before being named assistant vice president accounting operations, her most recent position, in 2008. Maestri joined Norfolk Southern in 1995, and served in positions relating to environmental management and protection, and then public affairs, before being named vice president government relations and corporate communications in 2005. He was named vice president government relations, corporate communications and corporate sustainability officer, his most recent position, in 2015. Hall joined Norfolk Southern in 1985 as a management trainee. He served in a wide range of transportation positions before being named vice president intermodal operations in 2013, and vice president network and service management, his most recent position, also in 2013. Lawrence joined Norfolk Southern in 2001 as director program management office. She served in planning and technology and strategic planning positions before being named assistant vice president information technology, her most recent position, in 2006. Meanwhile, Donald Graab, vice president mechanical, will retire after 39 years of service, and Frank Brown, assistant vice president corporate communications, will retire after 38 years of service.

Vantage Consulting Group, Hillsborough, N.J.
John Capants was hired as a portfolio director, responsible for the development of sales and implementation activities for clients in the packaging, serialization and automation services business. Capants has served as executive director, engineering technology and qualification for Teva Pharmaceuticals for the past six years, where he led the corporate department of key subject matter experts and qualification engineers to manage large and/or complex capital equipment projects. In addition, Capants served as the engineering leader on Teva's global serialization team, overseeing U.S. implementation teams and managing vendor relationships. Capants also previously held management positions with Ortec International, Cardinal Health, Glatt Air Techniques, Permacel and Polycast Technology Corp.

Havis Inc., Warminster, Pa.
John Harris was appointed director of the newly established Havis Europe Ltd., responsible for supporting international customers and partners and developing strong relationships in the computer and vehicle OEM markets, with a primary focus on markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Harris also oversees Havis’ product development, manufacturing, sales and distribution to resellers, installers, dealers and distributors in EMEA markets.

Matrix Technologies, Inc., Maumee, Ohio
Brett Kachenmeister was named a new shareholder of the company. Kachenmeister is a department manager in Matrix Technologies’ industrial systems division. He began his career at Matrix Technologies in 1998 as a project leader, and maintains over 26 years’ experience in multiple PLC, HMI and control platforms. 

IN MEMORIUM: WAYNE SLATON, DOUGLAS MACHINE

Wayne Slaton, senior director of sales for Douglas Machine, Alexandria, Minn., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Slaton was an icon in the packaging industry.