ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA), Salinas, Calif.
Patrick Collins was named new chairman of the board, taking over for outgoing chairman Butch Corda. Collins has been actively involved in the GSA board and the activities of the association for many years. He is a licensed pest control advisor and certified crop advisor, and his career includes time working at Bruce Church, The Nunes Co. and Crop Production Services, before being recruited to work for Dole Fresh Vegetables in 2001, where has held a number of responsibilities, including sourcing, planting schedules, lease and contract negotiation, harvesting, greenhouse operations and new product development. He currently serves as senior director of farming operations for Dole Fresh Vegetables, responsible for company-owned farming operations in Salinas, Huron, Oxnard and Yuma, Calif., in addition to internal greenhouse and transplant operations. Collins will lead the organization until May 2018. Meanwhile, Jason Smith, president and CEO of Smith Family Wines, was named vice chairman for 2017-2018, with Allan Clark, owner of of Merrill Farms, serving as treasurer. In addition to these, the 2017-2018 board of directors will be made up of Corda; Richard Amirsehhi, president and CEO of Naturipe Berry Growers; Tony Alameda, owner of Sabor Farms; Rodney Braga, president and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms; Dan Canales, senior vice president of sales, marketing and processing for Ippolito International; Melissa Duflock, partner at San Bernardo Rancho; Jeff Jackson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Tanimura & Antle; Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for California Giant Berry Farms; Tom Nunes V, president of The Nunes Co.; and Colby Pereira, vice president of finance at Costa Farms.
American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), Champaign, Ill.
Dr. Geoffrey Dahl, professor and chair in the Department of Animal Sciences at University of Florida, was elected vice president – production, where he will serve as liaison between the university, livestock producers and allied industries. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dahl will conduct applied and basic research with direct impact on dairy production. Specific research interests include effects of photoperiod manipulation on production and health, the impact of frequent milking in early lactation on milk production and heat stress abatement during the dry period on cow productivity and health. Dahl’s extension activities include financial decision support tools for producers and development of online delivery of information and training to dairy producers and industry professionals. Dahl spent 3 years as a post-doctoral fellow in the Reproductive Sciences Program at the University of Michigan, before joining the faculty at the University of Maryland in 1994, where he served as associate professor and undergraduate program coordinator in the Department of Animal & Avian Sciences. Prior to his current appointment, Dahl served as professor and extension dairy specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2000-2006). He has been an active member of ADSA since 1985, and has served as a member and chair of the Lactation Biology and Growth & Development committees and the selection committees for the Cargill Young Scientist Award, the Merial Dairy Management Award, the Genevieve Christian Student Award and the Pfizer Animal Health Award. He has also taught courses on dairy management, general and lactation physiology and endocrinology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and numerous symposium and popular press articles and trained 22 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Trish Dawson, senior scientist, cultures and enzymes at Chr. Hansen, Inc., was elected to a 3-year term as director – dairy foods. Dawson’s research interests have spanned the fields of marine biofilm formation, microbial nitrogen fixation, bio-fermentation processes and methods development for the isolation and characterization of microorganisms. She has specifically worked with dairy starter cultures and their applications for more than 20 years in Australia and North America. Dawson currently works with applied microbiology and enzymology as it pertains to the production and development of cheese. Throughout her career, she has also developed and taught courses in microbiology for nursing, agriculture, science, medical, pharmaceutical and dairy students. She has been a member of ADSA for four years, and is currently the chair for the dairy foods division. Dr. James Quigley III, technical and research manager of calf support for Cargill Animal Nutrition, was elected to a 3-year term as director — production division. His current responsibilities are to develop and support calf and heifer nutrition and management programs for Cargill customers globally. In conjunction with Cargill colleagues, he also developed growth simulation models to accurately predict growth of calves from birth to calving. Prior to joining Cargill Animal Nutrition, Quigley held research (1998–2004) and management positions (2008–2012) with APC Inc., was vice president of worldwide research with Diamond V Mills (2004–2007) and served as assistant and associate professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, from 1988-1998. Quigley has also authored 88 refereed journal articles, 115 abstracts, 3 book chapters and numerous proceedings articles for conferences worldwide, and is co-author on two patents.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Muffin Town, a division of J.S.B. Industries, Chelsea, Mass.
Stuart Wisel was named New England foodservice sales manager, responsible for schools K-12, health and senior care, independent foodservice and retail owners, C-stores, cash and carry, vending companies, micro markets and street businesses in New England. Wisel started in foodservice sales in 1988 as a territory manager with broadline foodservice distributors covering Metro Boston, Southeastern Mass., Cape Cod and Rhode Island. He worked with a large food broker representing national, regional and local manufacturers.
Southeastern Grocers, Jacksonville, Fla.
Anthony Hucker, chief operating officer, will assume the responsibilities of president and CEO on an interim basis following the resignation of Ian McLeod, effective July 1. Hucker brings extensive knowledge of the retail grocery sector, with more than 18 years of experience in leadership roles. Prior to joining Southeastern Grocers, he was president and COO of Schnucks, president of Giant Food and head of Walmart's strategy and business development division. He also spent 10 years as part of the original startup team with Aldi UK.
ARYZTA AG, Switzerland
Keith Cooper, a senior managing director at FTI Consulting, was appointed interim CEO of the company’s Americas business, taking over for Ronan Minahan, who is pursuing other interests. Cooper has been supporting ARYZTA management in North America on business optimization and efficiency improvements since March. Minahan dedicated more than 10 years of service to ARYZTA, and has assumed additional responsibilities since February.
Garden-Fresh Foods, Milwaukee, Wis.
Kirby Ham was named senior food technologist, tasked with helping the company elevate its culinary leadership and ensure compliance with the new FDA nutrition labeling rules. Kirby maintains a background in food microbiology, regulatory affairs, product development and experience at a Fortune 500 beverage company.
The Fresh Market, Greensboro, N.C.
Rick Anicetti resigned from his position as chief executive officer and board member. As a result, chief financial officer Brian Nicholson will become interim CEO. Nicholson has served as the company’s senior vice president and CFO since returning to The Fresh Market in September 2016. From 2004-2012, he held a variety of positions for the company, including vice president in the business strategy, financial planning and analysis function from 2005-2012.
General Mills, Minneapolis
Ivan Pollard was named global chief marketing officer, effective July 10, accountable for establishing the company's first global marketing and media planning function, and responsible for marketing strategies, connections planning and building organizational capabilities globally. Pollard was most recently senior vice president, strategic marketing for Coca-Cola North America, where he was responsible for developing strategies to more effectively deploy a more than $2 billion global media spend. Pollard also instituted new data-driven approaches to connections planning, management of digital platforms, media, sponsorships and content creation. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Pollard was a global partner in Naked Communications, and had leading roles in global agencies such as BMP (now DDB Needham) and Wieden+Kennedy. Pollard was also a founding partner of Unity, which later merged with the Ingram Partnership.
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Lake Success, N.Y.
James Langrock was appointed executive vice president and CFO, effective June 23, succeeding Pasquale Conte, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. He maintains more than 25 years of experience in financial and executive leadership positions. Langrock joined Hain Celestial in November 2015 as senior vice president, finance and treasurer. Before that, he was executive vice president and CFO of Monster Worldwide, Inc., where he oversaw all financial operations, including budgeting, cost-savings initiatives, mergers and acquisitions and divestitures. Previous to that, he served in senior finance positions at Motorola, Inc., including chief financial officer of Motorola's enterprise mobility division; head of internal audit and chief accounting officer of Symbol Technologies and Citibank, N.A.; and senior manager at Arthur Andersen LLP.
Gold Coast Packing Inc., Santa Maria, Calif.
Kevin Fix was hired new vice president of sales and marketing. Fix maintains more than a decade of produce experience selling to retail, wholesale and foodservice companies, and brings with him a background in distribution, consolidation and logistics. Previously, he was vice president of sales for Bolthouse Farms.
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Plano, Texas
Lain Hancock was named chief executive officer of Bai Brands, taking over for Bai founder Ben Weiss, who left the business. Previously, Hancock served as executive vice president, human resources for Dr Pepper Snapple, and has held multiple senior leadership positions with the company's supply chain organization, including continuous improvement, manufacturing and procurement. He joined the company in 2007 after serving as a consultant at McKinsey & Co. and an aviation branch officer in the U.S. Army.
Church Brothers Farms, Salinas, Calif.
Brian Church was named new chief executive officer, focusing on the company’s continued growth, regional processing and innovation and harvest automation. Church has been with the company since it formed in 1999, starting out on the farming side of the business and eventually moving over to the company’s ag operations. Over the years, he founded and developed CB Harvesting, which combined the company’s farming efforts, including its more than 1,000 employees. Most recently, Church led expansion of the company’s ag operations into Central and Northern Mexico.
Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J.
Matt Pritchard joined in the newly created role of vice president, digital acceleration group. Previously, Pritchard was global head of digital at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health, and before that, worked on Kellogg Co.'s European digital strategy and operations.
Sunripe Certified Brands, Palmetto, Fla.
Fresh produce veteran Paul Hoker was appointed new chief financial officer. Hoker brings more than 12 years of industry experience in financial planning and reporting, acquisition strategy, financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting and leadership.
FOODSERVICE:
Hard Rock International, Orlando, Fla.
The owner of Hard Rock Café appointed Stephen Judge as president of café operations, responsible for overseeing daily operations of the company’s 176 corporate and franchise locations worldwide, driving the branded retail merchandise business and strengthening the Hard Rock Café portfolio. Judge maintains 30 years of restaurant experience, where he oversaw the inception of new restaurant and bar concepts, directed multi-year food and beverage menu evolution and led food preparation and guest service efforts with attention to detail. Previously, he was the president and CEO of Romacorp, overseeing 150 restaurants in 32 countries. Throughout his career, he has played key leadership roles in a number of academy/premier hospitality companies, including Bloomin' Brands, Darden Restaurants, MGM Mirage and Rosewood Hotels, and spent several years in the cruise industry.
SUPPLIERS:
Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), San Antonio, Texas
Joel Haag was named vice president of purchasing and distribution, to help the company manage costs and distribution strategies. Haag maintains over 20 years purchasing experience. Lori Ernst was promoted to senior vice president, FSNS certification and auditing; Jeff Carpenter was promoted to senior vice president of strategic alliances; and Randal Garrett was promoted to senior vice president of operations. Additionally, Tim Santy advanced to become vice president of operations; Scott Edwardsen will move to vice president of IT; and Gennadiy Liberzon will become vice president of accounting and finance—all three individuals boast a combined 24 years of service with FSNS.
Americold, Atlanta
Tim Hinckley joined as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, responsible for for Americold’s business development—guiding key account and regional account relationship activities; voice of the industry and voice of the customer channels; branding, marketing and communications; and overall customer experience. Previously, he was senior vice president of global logistics at Hasbro, where he was responsible for warehousing, transportation and customs brokerage. Prior to Hasbro, Hinckley worked for 27 years across a variety of FedEx business units with his final role being managing director of global accounts.
U.S. Gain, Appleton, Wis.
Anne Butler was promoted to director of divisional sales, responsible for growing the GAIN Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) brand. Butler joined U.S Gain in 2014 as business development manager for the East Coast markets. Prior to that, she spent 7 years in supply chain management with Echo Global Logistics, where she managed the Atlanta branch and developed enterprise clients.
Pretium Packaging, Chesterfield, Mo.
Mark Howell joined as senior vice president of sales and marketing. Howell brings more than 20 years of packaging sales and business development experience, supported by a mechanical engineering background. Previously, he was senior vice president of sales—primary glass for Gerresheimer, where he led sales efforts for the America’s tubular converting and molded glass divisions. For a significant portion of his career, he held various sales, plant management and engineering positons with Rexam Healthcare (now Nemera).
KPS Global, Fort Worth, Texas
Industry veteran Jeff Clark was named chief executive officer. Clark has been vice chairman at KPS Global since its formation. He maintains over 30 years of industry experience, including as the chief executive officer of Anthony International.
