ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), Canada
Graham Lloyd was appointed general manager, effective Aug. 1, taking over for Peter Gould, who is retiring. Lloyd started his career with the dairy industry as DFO's general counsel and secretary to the board in July 2011, and eventually became director of communications, where he became heavily involved in government relations and managed the activities of the communication division. Lloyd has been instrumental in implementing the national ingredient strategy and seizing significant market growth opportunities.

International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C.
Tony Eberhard, former deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), joined as vice president of legislative affairs, responsible for working with IDFA members on policy development and legislative strategy while advocating for dairy processors and the dairy industry before the Congress and the Administration. Most recently, Eberhard guided Senator Hoeven’s legislative agenda, overseeing efforts on the Agriculture Act of 2014, also known as the farm bill, as well as biotechnology labeling issues, immigration reform and White House budget negotiations. Before that, he was a senior principal, responsible for legislative affairs at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where he spearheaded advocacy efforts to restore and protect lending by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service and advocate for legislation on financial regulatory reform. His experience before NRECA included working for two senators and two representatives in the House with an emphasis on agriculture. Eberhard was a staff member to Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), and prior to that, was deputy legislative director and then acting legislative director for Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), where he established the senator as a leader on agricultural issues with a focus on dairy and rural development. Eberhard began his career on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives, working first for Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and then Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), where he addressed constituent concerns and helped to develop policy positions for her role on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), Madison, Wis.
Rich Mende was named new director of channel programs, tasked with managing the development of WMMB’s consumer and retail cheese and dairy promotional programs and coordinating implementation. Mende will also provide leadership and supervision to WMMB’s team of regional marketing managers. Mende maintains nearly 20 years of experience in retail sales management. Most recently, his experience included sales management roles at Dietz & Watson, InnovAsian Cuisine and Willow Brook Foods.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
SpartanNash, Byron Center, Mich.
Kathy Mahoney was named president of the company’s MDV military division based in Norfolk, Va., effective May 31, and will continue her responsibilities as executive vice president and chief legal officer. Mahoney joined SpartanNash in 2004, and was a member of the Executive Steering Committee that oversaw the integration of Spartan Stores, Inc. and Nash Finch Co. in 2013. Throughout her tenure, Mahoney has worked closely with the MDV leadership team to expand the military platform, resulting in its worldwide network with its strategic partner Coastal Pacific Food Distributors. She has also played a key role with MDV on numerous projects involving direct contact with leaders within the military resale system.

Vision Produce, Los Angeles
Lance Nichols was promoted to vice president, general manager Arizona. Previously, he was senior vice president of sales and marketing. As a result, vice president John Caldwell will now be concentrating solely on the company’s expansion in Nogales, Ariz.

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., Canton, Mass.
The parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins announced that Kate Jaspon, interim CFO, was promoted to chief financial officer, effective June 5, responsible for accounting, corporate tax, investor relations and competitive intelligence in addition to her current responsibilities of global financial planning and analysis, business analytics, debt and cash management, electronic payments and insurance. As interim CFO, she helped lead the company through a number of transactions, including its IPO and follow-on equity offerings, securitization and several debt restructurings, and oversaw the implementation of the company’s enterprise risk management program. Jaspon was appointed interim CFO in April and replaces Paul Carbone, who left the company to take a new position as the chief operating officer at a specialty retail chain. An 11-year Dunkin' Brands veteran, Jaspon joined the company as assistant controller in 2005. She was later promoted to vice president, controller and corporate treasurer, and since 2014, has been vice president, finance and treasury. Jaspon came to Dunkin' Brands from KPMG LLP, where she spent eight years supporting both public and private companies as an auditor. Also, Dennis McCarthy, vice president, financial management, was appointed vice president, finance and treasury, tasked with overseeing the finance and treasury teams.

Seald Sweet International, Vero Beach, Fla.
Scott Kosnik joined as commodity manager, effective May 22, responsible for growth of the company’s programs in Nogales, Ariz., and Mexico. Kosnik maintains over 20 years of experience in the produce industry, and brings with plans for further growth and development in various commodities.

Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, Calif.
Jessica Harris was named senior manager of trade marketing and business development, tasked with expanding relationships with customers through the development of targeted strategic customer marketing partnerships. Previously, Harris was senior manager of customer marketing at Earthbound Farm, where she was instrumental in expanding the company’s customer and shopper marketing programs. She has been with Earthbound Farm since 2007. 

Misionero, Gonzales, Calif.
Rebecca Meyers was named national sales manager, responsible for strengthening Misionero’s retail and foodservice business focusing on the Eastern region of the United States and Canada. Meyers’ produce career spans over 12 years with multiple facets of varying management experience. Previously, she was sales manager for Robinson Fresh, where she was instrumental in growing new business for both the fresh and transportation service lines. Before that, she held procurement and retail management positions for C&S Wholesale Grocers and Stemilt Growers.  

Pete Pappas & Sons Inc., Jessup, Md.
Don Martin joined as general manager. He brings over 30 years of experience in the produce industry working for growers, shippers and re-packers, and has experience with both conventional and organic produce. Ed Bush joined as operations manager. He maintains almost 30 years of experience in the industry, with knowledge in farming, including FOB sales and distribution. He is also a 20-year veteran in foodservice and wholesale distribution.

Conagra Brands, Inc., Chicago
Mindy Simon, vice president of global business services, was promoted to chief information officer, effective June 1, succeeding Gerrit Schutte, who announced his plans to retire from the company. Schutte will remain with the company until October 2017 to assist with Simon's transition. Since joining Conagra in 2000, Simon has held a variety of roles in finance and information technology. Her responsibilities included analyzing economic indicators, tracking major commodity markets in finance and IT and leading technology transformation across the organization. Most recently, Simon led global business services, including customer order management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, data management organization and vendor management organization.

Peco Foods, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Mike Glass, current broiler manager since 2008, will become live operations manager, taking over for veteran manager Henry Welch, who announced plans to retire. Welch previously worked for Marshall Durbin Farms, Perdue Farms and other industry leaders before coming on board with Peco at its Bay Springs, Miss., complex.  He took over responsibility for live production at the Gordo/Tuscaloosa complex in 2005. Welch is also a long-time director and past chairman of the board of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and the Mississippi Poultry Association. 

FOODSERVICE:
Pei Wei, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Brandon Solano was appointed chief marketing officer. Solano, an award-winning marketing and brand development executive, maintains vast experience in the restaurant industry. He most recently served as chief marketing officer for Papa Murphy's Pizza, and held senior leadership positions with Wendy's and Domino's Pizza. He also has experience marketing brands such as Hershey's, Kellogg's and Proctor & Gamble. 

Potbelly Corp., Chicago
Aylwin Lewis, chairman and CEO, announced plans to resign Aug. 8, after leading Potbelly for nine years.

SUPPLIERS:
Genesee & Wyoming Inc., Darien, Conn.
John Hellmann, president and CEO, was appointed chairman of the board of directors following the previously announced retirement of Mortimer Fuller III, effective May 24. Hellmann will also continue to serve as president and CEO. Hellmann has served on the board since 2006. He joined G&W as chief financial officer in 2000, was named president in 2005 and succeeded Fuller as chief executive officer in 2007. Fuller, who has served as chairman of the board of directors since 1977, is the great grandson of Edward Fuller, founder of Genesee and Wyoming Railroad Co. Also newly elected as directors are Albert Neupaver, Joseph Pyne, Hunter Smith and Hellmann for the term that expires in 2020.