ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Silver Spring, Md.
Greater Atlantic regional administrator John Bullard announced plans to retire Jan. 5, 2018. Bullard, who took the job in 2012, will leave a legacy of improved relationships with the regulated community, the research community, environmentalists, local, state and federal officials and agency partners, including the New England and the Mid-Atlantic fishery management councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. As regional administrator, Bullard worked with the fishery management councils and the commission to manage 44 fish stocks, including two scallops and lobster, worth more than $500 million each. During his tenure, he faced the New England groundfish crisis, and worked with Congress and state directors to deliver $32.8 million in disaster assistance to affected fishing families and communities. Bullard also led the charge to modernize access and sharing of fishery-dependent data in cooperation with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the fishing industry, the councils and the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program. He championed electronic monitoring pilot projects on fishing vessels with partners in the industry and environmental non-government organizations to increase coverage and improve the data on which our science is based.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
G. Willi-Food International Ltd., Israel
Tim Cranko was appointed new chief executive officer, effective July 6. Cranko has served as the manager of the food division of Galam Ltd. since February 2013. Prior to that, he served as chief executive officer of Pharm-Up-Novolog from 2009-2013, and from 2005-2009, was the general manager of Novartis (OTC) Israel. Meanwhile, Victor Bar was appointed a director, effective June 20. Bar is a C.P.A. with many years of experience as chief financial officer in public and private companies in Israel.

OSI Group, LLC, Aurora, Ill.
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman was named chief sustainability officer, effective July 1. Previously, she was senior vice president, McDonald’s global business unit for OSI, and will take on expanded responsibility for the continuous development of the company's global sustainability strategy. She will also collaborate with OSI’s customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders to achieve OSI’s strategic intent relative to the various dimensions of sustainability. 

Church Brothers Farms, Salinas, Calif.
Ernst van Eeghen re-joined the company as vice president of business development, responsible for building business relationships with new and existing customers in the United States and Canada. Van Eeghen was with the company as the director of marketing and product development from 2007-2014, where he left to become director of sales and marketing for Germains Seed Technology and director of marketing at Twang Partners. He also previously worked at Mann Packing. In addition, Mark Zahnlecker joined the sales department. Zahnlecker previously worked in general sales roles for IPG and Sebastian Pagano.

Wilson Produce, Nogales, Ariz.
Guillermo “Willy” Martinez will join as general manager, effective Aug. 21. Previously, Guillermo worked as general manager for Kingdom Fresh, where he was instrumental in the rebranding and marketing program as well as developing a strategic 5-year company plan. He currently serves as a member of the United Fresh Council of Food Safety & Technology and as a member of PMA’s Science & Technology Committee. 

Perdue Farms, Salisbury, Md.
Kelly Fladger was named chief diversity and inclusion officer, responsible for providing executive leadership in guiding a comprehensive range of services, policies and procedures related to diversity and inclusion excellence across the organization. Fladger joined Perdue Farms in September 2016 as vice president of human resources services. Prior to Perdue, he was vice president of people strategy and corporate human resources for Belk. From 1998-2014, he served in HR capacities of increasing responsibility to include vice president of human resources global functions and chief diversity officer for Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. As a result of his leadership, Coca-Cola garnered recognition for its diversity and inclusion programs to include the Georgia Multicultural Leadership Award from the National Diversity Council, the French Diversity Label, the 2013 European Diversity Team of the Year Award, a Diversity Journal honorable mention Innovation in Diversity Award and a 2014 Leader In Diversity Award.

Potatoes USA, Denver, Colo.
Chef RJ Harvey was named global foodservice marketing manager, responsible for developing and managing the domestic and international marketing programs to increase demand for U.S. potatoes and potato products. Harvey is a certified executive chef and a registered dietitian/nutritionist. Most recently, he focused on revitalizing hospital cuisine at Morrison Healthcare and inspiring school foodservice at Chartwell’s K-12 School Dining Services (both divisions of Compass Group), where he developed recipes/menus, nutrition education programs and a dynamic teaching kitchen concept. Harvey is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Culinary Federation and the Research Chefs Association.

Rainier Fruit, Selah, Wash.
Jeff Weidner joined as director of warehouse and grower relations, effective July 3, responsible for building closer relationships with all grower partners and shipping facilities. Weidner maintains 39 years of experience. He most recently served as production manager and marketing coordinator for First Fruits Marketing, and L&M before that. Also, Randy Abhold is now executive vice president of sales and business development; Andy Tudor is now vice president of business development; Blake Belknap is now director of domestic sales; Troy Howard is now director of export sales and Shane Zeutenhorst is now director of foodservice sales.  

Borden Dairy Co., Dallas, Texas
Adam Kriger joined the board of directors, effective as of the close of the equity recapitalization acquisition by ACON Investment. Kriger maintains more than 25 years of experience at companies such as The Walt Disney Co., Starwood Hotels and McDonald’s Corp., and brings significant expertise in formulating and driving strategic initiatives.

La Terra Fina, Union City, Calif.
Ryan Salapa joined as director of retail sales, responsible for driving distribution and growth. Salapa maintains extensive retail sales and management experience having worked at Nestlé, where he oversaw the Roundy’s, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly and Publix accounts. Chhaya Bhatia was named brand manager, charged with leading retail brand growth. Bhatia maintains more than 8 years’ experience in growing companies and brands, and most recently drove innovation and presence for one of Unilever’s top brands. Among her many successes, she created a database of over 6 million consumers through mobile activation and turned around a local Indian Unilever brand, utilizing media and trade interventions to achieve double-digit growth. And, Kim Park was tapped as club sales manager, working closely with the marketing, R&D and sales teams to drive brand growth and innovation for club sales. Park brings more than 10 years’ experience in developing products and brands within the Costco environment.

Tops Friendly Markets, Williamsville, N.Y.
Lorenzo Grooms joined as director of warehouse operations, responsible for leading all functions related to warehouse operations in the grocery, perishable and frozen distribution centers, including developing and implementing initiatives to enhance associate morale; team performance in the execution of optimum store service; delivery of results in key financial metrics, staffing, selection/receiving accuracy and throughput; and improving supply chain and efficiency. Grooms has been operations manager for Giant Eagle for the past 14 years, and was most recently the director of operations at Sysco International Food Group.

Deli Star Corp., Fayetteville, Ill.
Jeanne Gannon was named director of quality. Gannon maintains extensive experience in food quality, safety and research and development, and previously served with Troverco, Inc., AdvancePierre Foods and Landshire. She is a certified SQF practitioner, AIB food defense coordinator and has earned certifications in USDA HACCP, Seafood HACCP and Advanced HACCP. Ben Gehrs was hired as senior process engineer. He has served in quality and process engineering roles, gaining experience in research and development, project management and production with companies such as Spartan Light Metals and Toyota. Jessica Meyer joined as finance manager. She previously served as a senior staff accountant, where she gained experience in accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, payroll and auditing. Luke Siegel returns as project manager. Siegel worked in Deli Star’s quality control department in 2013, where he gained experience in production, quality control, research and development and management. He also held production and operations positions at MacKinnon Ice Horse, Inc. and Jarling’s Custard Cup. And, Dan Kuester was hired as process engineer. He is an active member in Engineering without Borders, and served as an engineering mentor while at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, Calif.
John McKeon was hired as senior manager of organic compliance and sustainability, responsible for directing all compliance activities for the company’s organic program, quality assurance for the  organic, commission and consolidation supply chain, R&D for organic materials and new business platforms, customer compliance management, FSMA compliance management for organic items and standards development for sustainability and social accountability programs. Since 2007, he has been director of ag supply for Earthbound Farm, working closely with their expansive network of organic growers. McKeon maintains 20 years’ experience in standards, quality and food safety in organic farming. While at Earthbound, McKeon’s roles ranged from assuring organic integrity and compliance with domestic and international standards to additional industry and regulatory audit compliance, field food safety and Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) compliance, managing grower contracts and developing the organic land base strategy. Prior to joining Earthbound Farm, McKeon was in independent organic inspector and director of grower/livestock certification for CCOF.

FOODSERVICE:
Church’s Chicken, Atlanta
Jennifer Chasteen was promoted to the newly-created position of vice president of brand strategy and activation, charged with leading multiple teams responsible for national calendar and product strategy, inclusive of regional and local field marketing activation. Since joining the organization in 2015, Chasteen has served as director of new product development, and most recently, as senior director of brand and product strategy. Chasteen brings more than 20 years quick-service restaurant and foodservice marketing expertise.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., Franklin, Tenn.
The parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s hired Joanna Shepard as chief people officer. Shepard brings more than 20 years’ experience from Gilbarco Inc., where she led HR for the company’s global functions. Prior to her time with Gilbarco, Shepard’s career was anchored in the food industry, leading organizational development and multi-faceted HR teams for Pizza Hut and A&W/Long John Silver’s. During her time at Pizza Hut, Shepard worked closely with franchise owners, operators and HR leaders to improve talent acquisition and leadership development for restaurant general managers and multi-unit leaders. Stephen Carvelli was appointed chief information officer. Carvelli’s technology leadership experience over the last 20 years includes celebrated innovators of the customer and guest experience through technology. Carvelli previously served as the chief technology officer of Lowe's Cos., Inc., where he led digital transformation, enterprise architecture, operations and development. Before joining Lowe's, Carvelli held progressive technology leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies, including American Eagle Outfitters, Chico's FAS, OfficeMax and The Walt Disney Co. And, Jim Sullivan was promoted to chief development officer, tasked with continuing to spearhead the company’s growth agenda, focusing on domestic real estate development activities for the portfolio. His promotion is highlighted by his leadership of CKE’s domestic restaurant footprint expansion in both core and high-growth markets, which has led the entire QSR category in net new unit growth in the segment for the last two years.

SUPPLIERS:
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., North Kingstown, R.I.
Amanda Whaley was promoted to key accounts manager in the Torayfan division, responsible for managing strategic accounts. Whaley most recently served as a product manager in this division, a position she has held since June 2015. She will be. Whaley joined Toray in 2012. And, Tammy Williamson was promoted to associate product manager, responsible for overseeing marketing activities for strategic products. Williamson most recently served as a sales and marketing analyst, a position she has held since August 2015. Williamson joined Toray in 2010.

ArrowStream, Inc., Chicago
Mitch Rader was appointed new chief executive officer, replacing Frank Morgiewicz, who will be joining the board of directors. Previously, Rader was vice president of Lineage Logistics, and before that, served for eight years as chairman and CEO of Consolidated Distribution Corp., where he led the sale of the company to Lineage in 2016. Rader maintains an extensive background in technology and foodservice logistics.

Danfoss, Bethpage, N.Y.
Kim Fausing was named new president and CEO, effective July 1, stepping into the role after the planned departure of Niels Christiansen. Fausing has served as Danfoss’ chief operating officer for the past nine years, and before that, was executive vice president and COO since 2008, responsible for all Danfoss segments as well as Danfoss Business System and Global Procurement. In 2007, he joined Danfoss as president of the Danfoss Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Division. Fausing was also employed in the Hilti Corp. from 1990-2006, and in 2003, was appointed division president.

Cloverleaf Cold Storage, Sioux City, Iowa
Tim Gibbs, vice president of the farmers produce division, announced plans to retire July 13 after 29 years of service. Gibbs joined Cloverleaf in 1988, taking over the farmers produce unit and shaping it to become a custom packaging and meat processing provider. He also helped build the division into four locations that last year handled over half a billion pounds of protein products. Gibbs began his meat processing career with the US Army as a meat inspector, and continued on with Long Prairie Packaging. 

TricorBraun, St. Louis
Brett Binkowski, a 20-year veteran of TricorBraun, was named to the newly created role of chief commercial officer. Binkowski has served the company as a packaging consultant, branch manager, regional vice president, head of supply chain, and most recently, executive vice president – central division. In addition, Jim Dugan was appointed executive vice president – central division. Dugan is a proven sales leader, who most recently was an executive vice president for Shoes for Crews. Prior to that, Dugan held sales management positions with Cintas Corp. and RR Donnelley & Sons, Inc.

IN MEMORIUM: DUANE KOCH, KOCH’S TURKEY FARMS

Duane Koch, executive vice president and COO of Koch’s Turkey Farms, Tamaqua, Pa., passed away June 30 after a brief illness.

Koch was a pioneer of antibiotic-free and organic growing practices in the poultry industry. He was a member of the National Turkey Federation, PennAg and Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.

He is survived by his parents, Lowell Koch and Elizabeth (Billig) Koch of Lewistown Valley; his beloved wife of seven years, Terry (Moyer) Koch; daughter, Jessica Kellner and her husband Sean of Hummelstown; son, Brandon Koch and his wife Melissa of Lewistown Valley; sisters, Barbara Koch of

Lewistown Valley, Beth Argall, wife of David of Nesquehoning, Pam Williams, wife of Samuel of Lewistown Valley; grandchild, Deanna Folk; stepchildren Laura Faenza, wife of Joseph of Coaldale, Kristen Behr of Tamaqua, Glenn Behr and his wife Lindsey of Chicago; step-grandchild Connor Faenza, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials in his honor can be made to Lone Pine Fish Club, in care of "Duane Koch Memorial" and mailed to Attn: Colleen Shevokas, 11 Moss Glenn Rd., Brockton, PA 17925 or Tamaqua/Carbon American Cancer Society, 101 W. Frack St., Frackville, PA 17931. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.

IN MEMORIUM: RONALD JENSEN, ARCTIC ALASKA FISHERIES CORP.

Ronald Jensen, president and CEO of Arctic Alaska Fisheries Corp., Seattle, Wash., passed away June 25.

Jensen played a pivotal role in increasing the production of processed fish products. During his tenure, he increased the capacity to bread and batter fish fillets, identifying the importance of value-added products.

Jensen also served as president of the National Fisheries Institute from 1982-1983, and was also a member of numerous U.S. committees that negotiated treaties with other countries, playing an essential role in U.S. fisheries policy.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, 6 children and 13 grandchildren.

His memorial service will be held at Fishermen’s Terminal, Seattle, Wash., on Aug. 17 from 3-5 p.m.

Donations are to be made to Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) in his honor. 

IN MEMORIUM: NORMAN MCCLELLAND, SHAMROCK FOODS

Norman McClelland, former chief executive officer of Shamrock Foods Co., Phoenix, Ariz., passed away July 11 after a brief illness. After serving as CEO for Shamrock Foods for 45 years, McClelland served as chairman of the board until the time of his passing.

Norman’s father, W.T. McClelland, founded Shamrock Foods. He actively supported many charitable, business and community organizations, including the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club and Interfaith Ministries, among others.

Throughout his lifetime, he served as a leader for organizations such as the Arizona State Fair, 100 Club of Arizona, Phoenix Mountain Preservation Commission, Save Our Mountains Foundation, University of Arizona Eller School of Management, Rockford Institute, Howard Center, Goldwater Institute, Joe Foss Institute, Duet and the Irish Cultural & Learning Center. He was also involved in the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center and led the charge to create the center’s 11,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art library. In 2016, he received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from the Irish President in recognition of his commitment to promoting Irish culture and history.

A viewing will take place at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, Ariz.,   July 21 from 5-8 p.m.

Memorial services will take place in both Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., as follows:

July 22 at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, Ariz., at 10 a.m.

July 23 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Ariz., at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center at www.azirish.org/support-registration or 602-258-0109.