ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), Columbus, Ohio
Larry Golen, vice president and general manager of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC, was named a supplier advisor. Formerly the vice president and general manager of Grace Construction Products, Golen made the transition from the construction products industry to refrigeration at Heatcraft in 2010. He currently serves as director at large on the board of directors at Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, represents Heatcraft on the board of directors for Frigus Bohn joint venture and is on the advisory board for the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) through the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech. Golen replaces Dave Shingleton, who recently retired from White-Rodgers.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Mann Packing, Salinas, Calif.
Tim Short was named senior director of strategic vegetable operations, responsible for maintaining relationships and a flow of communication with grower communities, primarily in California and Arizona, and tracking developments and opportunities in Mexico with Mann’s director of international supply chain. In addition, Short will pursue further sourcing and production resources, focusing on the Southeast. Most recently, Short worked as general manager of field operations for Misionero Vegetables, responsible for all growing and harvesting aspects of organic and conventional products. Previously, Short worked as director of leaf operations for Dole Fresh Vegetables. Jim Rodger was named safety supervisor, where he will lead the supervision and development of training programs for employees on safety policies, procedures and regulations. Rodger comes from Lyons Magnus, where he worked in a safety capacity. He is also a Navy veteran. And, Josh Campo was appointed crop production manager, sugar snap peas, tasked with coordinating growing activities, including, planting, irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, grading and recordkeeping. Campo maintains experience in GIS mapping, micro irrigation, scouting, sampling and related subsequent fertilization and pesticide applications.
SOMMA Foods, Dallas, Texas
Vickie Seltenreich was named senior director of food safety quality assurance (FSQA), effective immediately, where she will provide leadership in all areas of food safety, quality assurance and USDA regulatory compliance. Seltenreich brings a wealth of experience in quality systems implementation and food safety, previously holding leadership positions at AdvancePierre Foods and Pepper Source, where she maintained safe facilities and applied quality management strategies that resulted in safer products.
Blue Circle Foods, Washington, D.C.
David Pilat was hired as new vice president of business development. Previously, Pilat spent the bulk of his career as the first global seafood coordinator for Whole Foods Market, which included overseeing Pigeon Cove, Whole Foods’ fresh and frozen seafood processing facility and active dock.
Kroger Co., Cincinnati
Joe Grieshaber was named president of Fred Meyer Stores, replacing Jeff Burt, who resigned to pursue other interests (see next item). Grieshaber began his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store management trainee. He has served in a variety of leadership roles with Kroger, including meat merchandiser, district manager and vice president of merchandising for the Columbus, Ohio, division. In 2003, he was named group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement, where he was responsible for fresh and natural foods throughout Kroger's family of stores. He was promoted to president of Dillons in 2010, and was named to his current role of president of Kroger's Columbus division in 2015. Succeeding Grieshaber will be Dan De La Rosa, who was promoted to president of Kroger's Columbus division. De La Rosa joined the company as a clerk's helper in the Ralphs division in 1980, where he served in a number of store operations and merchandising roles, including store director, director of corporate brands for both Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and district manager. Since 2007, De La Rosa has served in a variety of merchandising roles, including regional director of merchandising for the company's western region. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president of meat and seafood merchandising for Kroger, and in 2015, was named to his current role as vice president of merchandising for Fred Meyer.
Target Corp., Minneapolis
Jeff Burt was appointed senior vice president, grocery, fresh food and beverage, effective April 10, where he will help advance and execute Target’s food and beverage strategy. Burt comes from The Kroger Co., where he was most recently the president of the Fred Meyer division, responsible for the executive management of stores, fuel stations, distribution centers, manufacturing plants and 38,000 employees. During his 30-year career at Kroger, he held a number of leadership positions, including leading the chain’s central division, overseeing various merchandise categories, overall merchandising and operations.
Market Fresh, Nixa, Mo.
Jeff Jones was promoted to vice president of sourcing. Jones maintains over 8 years of experience with Market Fresh and over 30 years of retail and wholesale experience. Prior to Market Fresh, he worked at Publix, served in a senior leadership role at Associated Wholesale Grocers and was vice president at Martinous Produce. Meanwhile, Jordan Jackson was appointed vice president of finance, tasked with overseeing all financial aspects of the business. Jackson has been with Market Fresh for 7 years.
Pacific Trellis/Dulcinea Farms, Los Angeles
Micki Dirtzu joined the marketing team, responsible for managing the company’s overall marketing strategy and execution, with a focus on communication strategy, shopper marketing, package design, tradeshow management and consumer marketing. Dirtzu brings nearly a decade of marketing brand management and business development experience in the CPG food industry. Most recently, she worked as director of marketing with North Shore Sales & Marketing, and supported the produce side of the business at Flagstone Foods.
SpartanNash, Indianapolis, Ind.
Mike Pahud was promoted to chief operating officer, Caito Foods, effective immediately. Pahud has been serving as Caito Foods’ chief financial officer since he joined the company in February 2013. In addition to his current responsibilities of managing finance and information technology for Caito Foods, Pahud will assume responsibility for sales, procurement and operations. Pahud was previously with R. W. Armstrong and Associates, where he led multiple initiatives designed to build sustainable platforms and systems. SpartanNash acquired Caito Foods in November 2016.
Golden State Foods, Irvine, Calif.
Joe Heffington, former corporate vice president and chief accounting officer, was promoted to corporate senior vice president and CFO. A 35-year veteran in accounting and financial leadership, Heffington will lead all financial functions, including accounting, finance, corporate tax and corporate development. Brian Dick, former corporate vice president and president, global liquid products North America, was promoted to corporate senior vice president and president, global liquid products and GSF Fresh! produce. Dick will leverage his 20 years of international food processing operations expertise to oversee all global liquid products and GSF Fresh! operations worldwide. Furthermore, Bill Sanderson was named corporate executive vice president and chief administrative officer; Ed Rodriguez was tapped as chief human resources officer; Carol Fawcett was appointed corporate vice president and chief information officer; and Guilda Javaheri was hired as chief technology officer. John Maguire was promoted to corporate vice president and president, liquid products North America; Kevin Casto was promoted to group senior vice president manufacturing, liquid products North America; and Eric Treon was promoted to group senior business director, global liquid products.
Sysco Corp., Houston, Texas
Ajoy Karna was named senior vice president, international foodservice operations – Europe, effective April 17. Karna will be responsible for Brakes Group, which encompasses Sysco’s operations in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Sweden, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg. Ken McMeikan, chief executive officer of Brakes Group, will remain with the company for a brief transition period. Prior to joining Sysco, Karna served in various leadership positions at PepsiCo, gaining domestic and international experience in a variety of areas. At Frito Lay, he was senior vice president of finance, with oversight of the company’s field, customer, foodservice, brand finance and pricing finance teams. He was also senior vice president, mergers and acquisitions in PepsiCo’s corporate group 2006-2009. Prior to that, he served in numerous roles of increasing responsibility at Frito Lay and The Quaker Oats Co.
FOODSERVICE:
Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky.
Kevin Hochman was promoted to president and chief concept officer of KFC U.S., effective immediately. Hochman will assume responsibility for driving overall KFC brand strategy and performance of the U.S. business, with a continued focus on customers, franchisees, innovation and operational efficiency. Hochman joined KFC U.S. as chief marketing officer over three years ago, where he has grown same-store sales and transactions for 10 consecutive quarters. He also previously worked in a number of brand management and marketing leadership roles at Procter & Gamble since 1995, including many of the company’s deodorant, shave and personal cleaning categories.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., Franklin, Tenn.
The parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s selected Jason Marker as new chief executive officer, effective in April. Most recently, he was president of Kentucky Fried Chicken U.S., where he was responsible for the overall strategy and performance of more than 4,200 restaurants and 450 franchisees. Marker launched a new advertising campaign in 2015, invested in operations and partnered with the franchise community to drive profitable growth. His efforts led KFC U.S. to three consecutive years of same-store sales and transaction growth and doubling operating margins. Prior to that, Marker served KFC and Yum! Brands International in various marketing leadership roles, including general manager, KFC U.S. (2014-2015); chief marketing officer, KFC U.S. (2011-2013); vice president global marketing, KFC Global (2010-2011); and chief marketing officer, KFC & Pizza Hut South Pacific (2007-2010). Marker also worked in various brand management leadership roles at Unilever.
SUPPLIERS:
PaperWorks Industries, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
George Downey was promoted to director of sales for the folding carton business unit. Downey is a senior-level professional with more than two decades of experience in management, operations, sales and marketing. He maintains significant new product development and launch experience, as well as a SixSigma Green Belt in lean manufacturing. Downey also has a 20-year track record as a U.S. Army officer, achieving a rank of Lt. Colonel. He joined PaperWorks in April 2016 as a senior account manager, responsible for folding carton sales on the East Coast.
National DCP, Atlanta
Roland Ornelas was promoted to chief commercial officer of the supply chain management cooperative serving Dunkin' Donuts franchisees, responsible for strategic oversight of the relationship with National DCP's customers, partners, suppliers and vendors. Ornelas will also assume primary day-to-day ownership of the relationship among the cross-functional leaders of Dunkin', including the franchisee leadership community and development of new products and services. Ornelas joined the company in 2013 as chief procurement officer. He maintains nearly 25 years of experience transforming the sourcing and supply chain capabilities of significant players within the food and hospitality industries. Prior to joining NDCP, he served as vice president of supply chain for Wyndham Worldwide; vice president of supply chain management at O'Charley's Inc.; and held leadership roles with Carlson Cos., PepsiCo, YUM Brand's Supply Chain Cooperative (UFPC) and Havi Global Solutions.
Linx Printing Technologies, UK
Greg Treanor was named global continuous inkjet (CIJ) business manager, working with Linx’s direct and indirect commercial teams worldwide to drive sales and opportunities for the company’s latest CIJ models. Treanor maintains over 12 years’ experience in the coding and marking industry. He began his career with Linx in the international technical support team before taking on a variety of sales and product management roles with Domino.
Smartcool Systems Inc., Canada
Haiwen (Helen) Qian was named executive vice president business development, responsible for the development of new marketing and sales strategies in North America and the development of opportunities in China. She will also develop a sales team of agents responsible for initiating customer contact for Smartcool’s proprietary compressor optimization technology. Qian maintains 20 years of experience in various business ventures. For instance, she founded and operated a manufacturing, educational training and international trading business.
KUKA, Germany
The supervisory board prematurely reappointed Dr. Till Reuter as chief executive officer and Peter Mohnen as chief financial officer, effective April 1 and ending March 31, 2022. Reuter has been CEO of KUKA Aktiengesellschaft since 2009 and Mohnen has been CFO of KUKA since 2012.
Triangle Package Machinery Co., Chicago
Gene Gallagher was named regional sales manager - Southwest region, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, taking over for John McCall, who retired. Gallagher joined Triangle in 1996, and has developed numerous relationships with food processors and other customers throughout the Southwest area, particularly those in the pasta, shrimp, seafood, poultry and meat industries. Prior to Triangle Package Machinery, he worked as a plant manager for an IQF vegetable co-packer, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years. Meanwhile, David Hart was appointed regional sales manager - Southeast region, covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Hart maintains more than 15 years' experience selling vertical form-fill-seal baggers and other packaging solutions. During his tenure in the packaging industry, he has developed numerous relationships with food processors and other customers throughout the Southeast area, particularly those in the powder, bakery, coffee and confectionery markets.
IFCO North America, Tampa, Fla.
Jeff Mitchell was named director of food safety and quality, effective March 27, responsible for the food safety and quality initiatives at the company’s North American reusable plastic container service centers. Additional responsibilities include food safety strategy and compliance with IFCO’s quality assurance/food safety processes. In addition, he will represent IFCO on food safety interactions and serve as the company’s food safety and operations representative to industry organizations, associations, committees and working groups. Previously, Mitchell served as vice president of food safety and regulatory affairs at CHEMSTAR, where he was responsible for all operational and strategic initiatives related to food safety and sanitation for retail grocery, quick-service restaurants and food processing facilities. Prior to CHEMSTAR, he spent over 20 years in the U.S. Army Public Health Command, where he last served as command food safety officer. Mitchell was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for his contributions to food safety and public health.
Vortex, Salina, Kan.
Laurence Millington was appointed managing director of the company’s Darlington, UK, operations, taking over for Travis Young, who has overseen Vortex’s international operations since 2008. After nine years of managing the company’s business development in the EMEA and Asian markets, Young became executive vice president of marketing and global strategy at Vortex’s corporate headquarters. Millington has been with Vortex since 2009, most recently as sales director, EMEA and Asia since 2015. Young has been with the company since 2004.
Prime Distribution Services (PDS), an Ascent Global Logistics company, Minneapolis
Chris Moore was appointed new vice president of sales, charged with overseeing the retail consolidation business of big-box clients, further development of Prime’s diversification plans and building density with all retail programs. Previously, Moore served as director of sales, Walmart & Sam's Club at Oberto Brands, where he was responsible for center store and check lane categories, development of business strategies, identifying and diagnosing issues and opportunities to ensure profit growth and developing customer relationships. Moore also increased Oberto’s sales through partnerships with third-party suppliers and provided direction to internal cross-functional teams, improving planning and priority setting.
Qimarox, The Netherlands
Pieter Hannessen, founder of Nedpack and Qimarox, handed over daily management to the current sales director Martijn Smit, where he will be responsible for Qimarox, Nedpack and Nedpack Services. The transfer of leadership comes after several years of growth, both in turnover and size of the organization. Hannessen has spent 22 years at the helm.
