ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, Belgium
Gilles Fontaine was elected new president. Fontaine is the chief executive officer of Desmazières SA (Agrico Group). He’s also been a member of the board and treasurer of Europatat since 2016. Previously, Fontaine served as administrator member and president of FEDEPOM, as well as vice president of GNIS’ potato seed section. Domenico Citterio was elected vice president, while Heero Gramsma was named treasurer.
Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, Long Beach, Calif.
Long-time port civil engineer and manager Marlene Dupras was named new director of project controls, effective April 16. Dupras began her career with the port in 2001 when she joined the construction management division as a civil engineer, managing the construction of various projects, including the early phases of the Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment. She was promoted to deputy chief harbor engineer in the program management division in 2012.
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Washington, D.C.
Steven Cahillane, Bobby Chacko and Paul Chibe were elected to the board of directors. Cahillane is chairman and CEO of Kellogg Co. Prior to joining Kellogg in October 2017, he was president and CEO at The Nature’s Bounty Co. He also spent seven years at Coca-Cola Co. and eight years at AB InBev. Chacko is president and CEO at Ocean Spray Cranberries, a position he’s held since 2017. He is a 20-year CPG veteran and entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, working for companies such as Mars Drinks, Coca-Cola Co., AB InBev and GE Capital. Chibe is president and CEO of Ferrero North America, responsible for U.S., Canada and Caribbean businesses. Chibe joined Ferrero after working for AB InBev, where he was U.S. chief marketing officer. He worked 11 years for Wrigley Co., and earlier in his career, was with Quaker Oats Co. and Leaf, Inc. (now owned by Hershey Co.).
Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC), Canada
Brian Douglas was appointed chair, effective June 11. Douglas maintains a 37-year public service career. From 2015-2016, he was the clerk of the Executive Council and secretary to Cabinet for the Government of Prince Edward Island. Previously, he held other senior-level positions in the Prince Edward Island government, including deputy minister, transportation and infrastructure renewal and deputy minister, agriculture. Douglas also spent most of his career at the Department of Agriculture, where he served as director of the agriculture resource division and manager of the farm extension services. Throughout his career, he also served as a member and representative for the Province of Prince Edward Island on various boards and committees related to agriculture, transportation and infrastructure at the provincial and national levels. Douglas remains active in the agricultural community as general manager of the World Potato Congress Inc. Meanwhile, Yvon Cyr joins the council for a 4-year term, effective immediately. Cyr is manager and founding shareholder with the Groupe Westco Inc., and served on the boards of the Chicken Farmers of New Brunswick and the Chicken Farmers of Canada. He is also a past chair of the local chamber of commerce. And, Maryse Dubé returns for her second 3-year term, which began April 30. Dubé has been a partner at Sylvestre & Associés since 2004, working in commercial and food law representing several financial institutions. She also practices real estate law and handles collection cases, and represents small to medium-sized enterprises in security law, bankruptcy, commercial litigation and corporate law (manufacturing and agricultural components). She was president of the bar of the Richelieu Division in 2014, and served on the Executive Committee of the Quebec Bar until 2015. Dubé has been a member of the Farm Products Council of Canada since April 2015.
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Washington, D.C. Carmen Rottenberg was named the administrator of FSIS. Rottenberg most recently served as deputy administrator for FSIS, and since August 2017, has been acting deputy under secretary for USDA’s Office of Food Safety. She has held several leadership roles in FSIS’s Office of the Administrator, including chief operating officer and chief of staff, where she spearheaded FSIS efforts to modernize inspection systems and implement science-based and innovative solutions to better protect consumers from foodborne illnesses. Paul Kiecker was appointed deputy administrator. Kiecker has been serving as acting administrator for FSIS since August 2017, where he led and strategically guided FSIS’s mission-critical programs aimed at protecting public health. He maintains decades of experience in the field and on the front lines of food safety, having begun his career as a food inspector. He has also held numerous leadership positions within FSIS, including as a district manager, executive associate for regulatory operations, and most recently, as deputy assistant administrator for FSIS’s Office of Field Operations. Richard Fordyce was elected administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), where he will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices. Fordyce most recently served as state executive director for FSA in Missouri. Prior to his appointment by the Trump Administration, Fordyce served as the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture from 2013-2017. In 2015, Fordyce was awarded the Missouri Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award and the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow Alumnus of the Year.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, Calif.
Scott Grabau was appointed chief executive officer. A 16-year veteran with the company, Grabau previously served as chief financial officer for Tanimura & Antle, as well as president of a number of the company’s other operations. Grabau also led the company’s mergers and acquisitions and their corresponding integrations. Meanwhile, Gary Tanimura and Mike Antle will serve on the board as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. Brian Antle, president of PlantTape, fills the vacancy of his father, Rick Antle.
Sargento Foods Inc., Plymouth, Wis.
John Rodgers was promoted to vice president – research and development, tasked with overseeing the research and development of new products and packaging in support of the consumer products division, foodservice and ingredients division and strategic areas of interest. Rodgers previously served as director – research and development at Sargento, where he led efforts in the consumer products division and business to business. Prior to joining Sargento Foods, he held research and development roles at McCain Foods and H.J. Heinz Co. after starting his career at Abbott. And, Vijay Krishna joined as vice president – quality and food safety systems, responsible for directing the development and administration of the Sargento risk management systems related to quality assurance, food safety, food defense and contingency planning. Previously, Krishna served as quality director at Kerry Group, where he provided strategic and tactical support for continuous improvement of multi-site manufacturing facilities. He brings more than 17 years of experience in quality systems, and previously held roles at Kahiki Foods, Gourmet Kitchens and IMI Cornelius.
The Maschhoffs, Carlyle, Ill.
Dr. Justin Fix assumed the role of director of genetics, responsible for overseeing the company’s portfolio of genetic animals, proprietary genetic lines and data. Fix has been director of genetic programs for Smithfield Premium Genetics for nearly five years. He also spent many years at the National Swine registry, first as a genetics program specialist, then director of genetic and technical services before becoming vice president of technical service. Rich Hollis assumed the role of vice president of people strategy and resources. Previously, Hollis worked at Rabo AgriFinance, where he served for more than 13 years in various human resources leadership roles, most recently as executive vice president of organizational development.
The Allen Lund Co. (ALC), La Cañada Flintridge Calif.
Bryan Starosto was named manager of the ALC Cleveland, Ohio, office. Starosto joined ALC in August 2007, and maintains over 15 years of industry experience.
Pro Citrus Network (PCN), Visalia, Calif.
Kim Flores joined the company as vice president of marketing and business development, effective May 8, responsible for developing and leading the company’s marketing and promotional strategies to support and advance PCN’s new and existing programs. Flores maintains over 17 years of experience in global fresh produce industry marketing, specializing in the citrus and deciduous categories. Christine Raymer will join the team as vice president of sales, effective May 22, tasked with leading PCN’s sales team in the company’s retail, foodservice and export programs of domestic and imported citrus, along with future development of other commodity lines. Raymer maintains over 21 years in the global fresh produce arena, including imports and exports of citrus, grapes, stone fruit and other commodities.
General Mills, Minneapolis
Maria Sastre was elected to the board of directors, effective June 1. Sastre was most recently president and COO of Signature Flight Support, where she was responsible for the daily operations of Signature's worldwide network of fixed base operations and maintenance centers. Previously, Sastre served with Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD, where she held the positions of vice president, international, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, and vice president of hotel operations. She’s also held various executive and leadership roles at United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Eastern Airlines.
KonaRed, Carlsbad, Calif.
Ken Ramirez was tapped as new vice president of sales, responsible for spearheading national sales and retail expansion. He maintains more than 30 years of leadership and sales experience in the beverage industry, and most recently co-founded Bali Juice. Prior to that, he served in several leadership roles at Bacardi USA, including vice president of national accounts, where he grew the brand’s footprint for the first time in seven years. Ramirez began his beverage career at Coca-Cola, where he spent 27 years in numerous roles, ranging from merchandiser to vice president and general manager for Southern California and Hawaii, where he helped generate more than $1 billion in gross revenues and oversaw a team of 800 employees. Meanwhile, Wendi Marsicola was named vice president of operations, responsible for overseeing quality control, production, new product development and order fulfillment. Previously, Marsicola served as director of procurement for Arbonne International, where she managed global procurement, supplier relationships, R&D, risk management and more. Marsicola’s 17-year career spans across food, nutraceuticals, beauty and personal care categories, having served in several sourcing and procurement roles at NexGen Pharma, Isagenix International, Alberto Culver North America and Advanced Research Laboratories.
Minerva S.A., Brazil
Iain Anderson Mars was named to the newly created position of global chief operating officer. Mars joined Minerva in 2012, and maintains over 30 years’ extensive experience in the refrigeration industry. Mars joined Minerva when it was still known as Indústria e Comércio de Carnes Minerva, where he served as general manager from 2001-2004 and returned in 2012 to serve as chief executive officer of Minerva Fine Foods. He also served as chief commercial officer of Minerva S.A. from September 2013 to November 2014, as chief operating officer of the company's beef Brazil division from December 2014 to November 2016 and was chief commercial officer from December 2016 to May 2018. Eduardo Pirani Puzziello, investor relations officer, announced plans to leave the company. Puzziello has been with the company since 2011. Nathan de Mello Fortunato Freire was appointed treasury director. Freire joined Minerva in 2010, and maintains more than 14 years´ experience in the financial sector. Previously, he worked at Bank Boston Asset Management as a fixed income trader. After Bank Boston, he joined Black River Asset Management (Cargill Asset Management) as senior fixed income trader, where he later became portfolio manager. In 2009, he became a partner of BRL Capital Asset Management, covering the equity markets. Francisco de Assis Ferreira Filho was hired as controller. Filho joined Minerva in 2011 in the investor relations team, and from 2013-2015, served as chief of staff for the company's CEO. In 2015, he was appointed director of planning, risk and control, and prior to that, worked in the consulting and auditing field at PwC.
Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark.
Jennifer “JJ” Davis joined as vice president, corporate communications, responsible for leading Tyson Foods’ corporate brand and internal and external communications strategy and serve as a communications advisor to the company’s leadership team. Davis has been with Dell since 2000, serving as vice president, product and operations communications, managing all aspects of communications for the company’s product groups and global supply chain. She previously held leadership positions for Dell in client solutions, global operations, global brand, consumer and small and medium business communications. In addition, she founded the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network in 2010 to support women entrepreneurs’ success worldwide.
San Miguel Produce, Inc., Oxnard, Calif.
Megan Stallings and Gary Zych will take on the newly created positions of western region sales manager and Midwest region sales manager, respectively, responsible for overseeing existing customer accounts and developing new business. Stallings has been with the company for three years, starting as an inventory analyst, and most recently, as procurement manager. She maintains a background in clinical nutrition and foodservice management. Zych maintains over 15 years of experience in value-added produce. Previously, he spent 20 years in meat and deli sales at Armour Foods and Farmland Foods.
SUPPLIERS:
Raymond Handling Concepts Corp.(RHCC), Fremont, Calif.
Stephen Raymond, president and CEO of 31 years, announced plans to retire, effective July 2. Raymond, the founder’s grandson, started RHCC in 1987 after progressing through seven jobs in four locations for 11 years. He joined The Raymond Corp. in 1976.
TOMRA Sorting Solutions, Austria
Felix Flemming was appointed head of digital, responsible for developing capabilities in digital technology and building a team of innovators to support this progress. Flemming has held several management positions with the Voith Group, most recently as vice president of incubation, where he was responsible for developing Internet of Things solutions and business models for all Voith markets.
IBT, Inc., Shawnee, Kan.
Michael Flannery, president and CEO, was named president of Cumulus Companies, Inc. (CCI), the newly created parent entity. As a result, Jeff Cloud was promoted to president of IBT Industrial Solutions, CCI’s largest company. Cloud has served in field sales and regional management positions for IBT. He most recently served as vice president, marketing.
915 Labs, Denver, Colo.
Kerry Fabrizio was hired as director of food innovation, tasked with accelerating the application of microwave-assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) technology and modified atmosphere packaging solutions worldwide by guiding the formulation of new food products and helping companies develop high-quality packaged foods. Fabrizio brings 16 years of experience in food innovation and a decade as a culinary professional. She has worked in research and development and innovation at food and ingredient companies such as Givaudan Flavors, Wayne Farms, Pacific Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride. During her career, Fabrizio has developed a wide range of new products from proteins and seasonings to soups and beverages for private labels, foodservice and quick-service restaurants.
IN MEMORIUM: JIM OLSON, MAPLE LEAF FOODS
Jim Olson, board director of Maple Leaf Foods, Canada, passed away May 3.
Olson has served Maple Leaf’s board of directors since 2011, specifically on the board's Audit, Safety and Sustainability and Human Resources & Compensation (HR&C) Committees. He chaired the Safety and Sustainability Committee and was former chair of the HR&C Committee.
Olson was an expert in operations and supply chain in the food and beverage industry.
