ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Washington, D.C.
Geoff Freeman will become the organization’s new president and CEO, effective Aug. 1, taking over for Pamela Bailey, who previously announced her intent to retire after nearly 10 years as GMA’s president and CEO. Freeman has been president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA) for the past 5 years, where he modernized the association, built up membership, created consensus on key issues, shifted perceptions in Washington and achieved significant advocacy victories. Most notably, the AGA drove the campaign to declare the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional, paving the way for legalized sports betting nationwide. Previously, Freeman was chief operating officer of the U.S. Travel Association, where he campaigned to enact the Travel Promotion Act, creating $200 million in funding annually to promote tourism to the United States and paved the way for the creation of the TSA PreCheck program. 

International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), Alexandria, Va.
The arm of Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) elected Doug Harrison, president and CEO of Versacold Logistics, was elected as the 2018-2019 chairman of the IARW board of directors. Other new IARW officers elected for the coming year were Andrew Janson, president and CEO of Hanson Logistics, as vice chairman, and Ron Buford, president and CEO of Premier Refrigerated Warehouse, as treasurer. Elected to serve 3-year terms as new directors-at-large are Larry Alderfer, chief operating officer of United States Cold Storage; Drew Greenberg, president of Newport-St. Paul Cold Storage; Andrew Fisk, president of Lone Star Cold Storage; Francisco Moura, chief executive officer of Super Frio; and Neal Rider, founder and CEO of Emergent Cold. Fred Boehler, president and CEO of Americold, and Mike McClendon, executive vice president, optimization and integration of Lineage Logistics, were re-nominated to serve 3-year terms. Meanwhile, Paul Henningsen, president of Henningsen Cold Storage, was elected as the 2018-2019 chairman of the WFLO board of governors. Other new WFLO officers elected include Don Dick, owner and CEO of Dick Cold Storage, as vice chairman, and Brian Beazer, general manager and CEO of Winchester Cold Storage, as treasurer. New board members elected to serve 3-year terms on the WFLO board include Mickey Hoffman, vice president, corporate development, United States Cold Storage; Dave Moore, president of Agro Merchants Group; John Naylor, president of Western Distribution Services; and Angie Schmidt, executive vice president of Mattingly Cold Storage. Greg Laurin, president of Conestoga Cold Storage, and Dave Stuver, executive vice president and CFO of Americold Logistics, were re-nominated.

Canadian Meat Council (CMC), Canada
David Colwell was elected chairman of the board of directors for a 2-year term. Colwell is currently president of JBS Canada.

Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA), East Grand Forks, Minn.
Donavon Johnson was hired as new president, effective June 4, replacing Chuck Gunnerson, who is retiring after leading the organization for the past 10 years. Johnson brings an extensive background in leading successful businesses and non-profit organizations nationwide and internationally. He most recently worked for the North Dakota Trade Office. 

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRA), Washington, D.C.
Linda Bauer Darr announced her resignation as president, effective July 27, to become chief executive officer of the American Council of Engineering Cos. Bauer Darr made significant contributions during her tenure with ASLRRA, including standing up the Short Line Safety Institute and advocating for the 45G tax credit.

European Machine Vision Association (EMVA), Germany
Jochem Herrmann was elected president for a second term. Also, new to the board of directors is Dr.-Ing. Dirk Berndt, business unit manager at Fraunhofer IFF - Institute for Factory Operation and Automation and representative of the Fraunhofer Vision Alliance; Arnaud Destruels, European product marketing manager for Image Sensing Solution, a division of Sony Semiconductor & Electronic Solution, division of Sony Europe Ltd.; and Dr. Chris Yates, director of advanced technology at the Safety, Sensing, and Connectivity Business Unit of Rockwell Automation Inc. Former board member and EMVA president Toni Ventura-Traveset resigned from the board to concentrate on increased responsibilities in his company. Michel Ollivier was appointed EMVA vice president, and Dr. Jean Caron remains the associations´ treasurer.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Ben E. Keith Co., Fort Worth, Texas
John Howard Hallam will assume the role of chief executive officer, currently held by Robert Hallam, while Robert Hallam Jr. will assume the role of president and COO, effective July 1. Hallam will continue his long-standing role as chairman of the board, and Howard Hallam will continue to serve as vice chairman of the board. Howard Hallam has worked for Ben E. Keith for over 28 years, the last five as president and COO, and has held a wide range of positions in the beverage, food and corporate divisions. Hallam Jr. has been with the company for 24 years, most recently serving as executive vice president.

Empire Co. Ltd., Canada
Its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc. announced key leadership appointments, effective immediately, as part of the company’s 3-year transformation plan. Lyne Castonguay was appointed executive vice president, store experience, responsible for store operations, distribution centers and thrilling customers across Empire's conventional (non-Quebec) grocery banners nationwide. Castonguay previously served as executive vice president, merchandising at Empire, where she designed the company's national merchandising structure, was the architect of Sobeys' success in stabilizing margins and sales over the past year and played a key role in creating the Ocado e-commerce partnership. Pierre St-Laurent was appointed executive vice president, merchandising and Quebec. Luc L'Archeveque was appointed general manager, Quebec, and retains his role as vice president, grocery for the Quebec business, where he will coordinate the day-to-day activities between operations, merchandising and marketing of the Quebec business unit. Mike Venton was appointed general manager, discount, taking over for Rob Adams. Venton will focus on leading the expansion of the company's discount business, including the conversion of up to 25% of Sobeys and Safeway locations in Western Canada. Sarah Joyce was appointed senior vice president, e-commerce, effective June 25, responsible for the company's e-commerce offer through its Ocado partnership. Joyce will build the online customer offer and branding, working closely with merchandising to expand business with supplier partners. Previously, Joyce worked at HBC, and was general manager of Saksoff5th.com and Gilt.com, accountable for strategy and all aspects of day-to-day operations. Jason Potter, who served as executive vice president, operations, is leaving Sobeys after a 26-year career with the company. And, Deirdre Horgan will not be returning to her role as senior vice president, marketing, due to her ongoing recovery from serious illness. Castonguay will continue to lead the marketing team on an interim basis.

Post Holdings, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Chris Neugent, current president and CEO of Post Consumer Brands, was named executive vice president, strategy, responsible for developing strategic plans and competitive advantages based on his success with Post Consumer Brands. Neugent has been with Post Holdings since 2015, when Post formed its consumer brands unit by combining Post Foods with MOM Brands Co. Neugent had been chairman and CEO of MOM Brands since 2008, where he led the l integration of the Post cereal business and MOM Brands.  Also during his tenure, the business expanded margins and achieved a 20% market share in the ready-to-eat cereal category. Howard Friedman was named president and CEO of Post Consumer Brands, effective July 23. Friedman spent most of his career at the Kraft Heinz Co., most recently as executive vice president of Kraft Heinz’s meat and dairy business. He also maintains experience in general management and sales and marketing roles, including serving as head of the Walmart sales team.

Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlet, Vt.
Liza Kaplansky was named director of sales and marketing, responsible for managing the creamery’s national growth in retail and foodservice arenas as well as the regional wholesale team. She will also focus on establishing a market on the West Coast. Kaplansky spent 4 years at Laura Chenel/Marin French, most recently as West Coast regional sales manager, and before that, served as a cheese buyer for Canyon Market.

National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa
Steve Rommereim, owner, manager and operator of Highland Swine, was elected president. Rommereim served as the 2017-2018 vice president and interim treasurer. He was also on the National Pork Board’s Plan of Work Task Force in 2009, was past president of the South Dakota Pork Producers Association from 2001-2011, was past president of Agriculture United for South Dakota and currently serves on the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. David Newman, manager and owner of Newman Farms, was elected vice president, and Mike Skahill, vice president for Smithfield Foods, was elected treasurer. Terry O’Neel, a pork producer from Friend, Nebraska, will serve as immediate past president. The four executive officers will serve one-year terms in their positions effective at the close of the June board meeting. Newman is also an associate professor of Animal Sciences at Arkansas State University, where he teaches and conducts research, with an emphasis in meat science. Newman serves on the Swine Health committee, previously chaired the Domestic Marketing committee and served on the Producer Services committee. He also participated in the Pork Leadership Academy. Skahill serves on the National Pork Board Trade Committee, the U.S. Meat Export Federation Pork and Allied Industries Committee and chairs the trade committee for the North American Meat Institute. Skahill also served on the National Pork Board 2015-2020 Strategic Plan committee. Terry O’Neel, owner and manager of O'Neel Farm, was elected to his second board term in 2016, most recently serving as president of the board. He served as the 2016-2017 vice president and as the 2015-2016 treasurer. O’Neel also served on the Domestic Marketing, Producer Services and Pork Quality, Safety and Human Nutrition committees.


FOODSERVICE:
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., Winter Park, Fla.
Cheryl Henry, president and COO, will assume the role of president and CEO, effective Aug. 10, replacing Michael P. O’Donnell, who will become executive chairman. Henry joined the company in June 2007, and over the last 11 years, has been responsible for nearly every aspect of the company’s day-to-day field operations, including culinary, beverage, brand marketing, real estate development, human resources and information technology.

B.GOOD, Boston, Mass.
Chris Fuqua was named chief executive officer, taking over for co-founder Anthony Ackil, who is stepping down as CEO to focus on his next entrepreneurial venture. Fuqua will assume day-to-day leadership of the company. Previously, he spent more than eight years at Dunkin' Brands, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, including marketing, operations, supply chain and strategy.

ARC Group, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.
The owner, operator and franchisor of Dick's Wings & Grill hired Marisela Barcenas as its controller, where she will lead all accounting functions and act as a partner and advisor to management and the company's external auditors. Barcenas, a CPA, brings many years of accounting and financial leadership experience that she acquired throughout her career at public accounting firms and companies operating in a variety of industries. She maintains particular expertise with technical accounting, financial reporting, strategic financial leadership, auditing, resource utilization, capital projections and tax compliance. Barcenas most recently served as chief financial officer of Diversified Consultants, Inc., after serving as its chief accounting officer for several years.

SUPPLIERS:
HIXSON Architecture Engineering Interiors, Cincinnati, Ohio
Greg Hammond was appointed president and CEO, succeeding J. Wickliffe (Wick) Ach, who is retiring after 40 years with the company. A 16-year veteran of Hixson, Hammond is a shareholder, member of the board, and most recently, served as manager of production planning. Hammond also serves on the board of the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee and Easterseals Tristate.

Spartan Motors, Inc., Charlotte, Mich.
Paul Mascarenas was appointed to the company's board of directors, effective June 1. Mascarenas maintains global experience in research and development, engineering and product innovation, having worked at Ford Motor Co. for 32 years. He most recently served as chief technical officer, where he led the company's research and advanced engineering activities, including development of Ford's "Blueprint for Mobility," V2X (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communications and autonomous driving technologies.  Previously, Mascarenas was the vice president of engineering at Ford, where he led a team of 6,000 engineers in Ford's global product development organization. Mascarenas currently serves on the boards of United States Steel Corp. and ON Semiconductor Corp.

Pelican Products, Inc., Torrance, Calif.
Chris Powell was appointed corporate controller, responsible for managing the company’s global financial operations, which provide financial services for Pelican’s commercial/government, consumer, BioThermal and international divisions. His responsibilities include financial statements, general ledger, cost accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, tax compliance and special analyses. Powell brings extensive financial leadership experience to the position. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and subsequently served in key financial leadership roles at Qualstar, Guidance Software, ReachLocal, Beats by Dre and Velocify, Inc.

Barry-Wehmiller Packaging Systems, St. Louis, Mo.
Tony Colquitt was named director of business development, Latin America. Colquitt started with Barry-Wehmiller in 2016 as the Latin American sales director at Thiele Technologies. He brings extensive experience in global sales and account management, and possesses managerial, planning, logistics and sales skills for developing business in global markets.

Wildeck, Inc., Waukesha, Wis.
Kelly Kamlager was promoted to director of marketing, effective June 4, replacing Hubert (Hue) Schlegel, who is retiring July 13 after 13 years with the company. Kamlager began her career with Wildeck in April 2006 as marketing assistant, and was promoted to marketing specialist January 2009, and again June 2014 as senior marketing specialist. She was promoted to marketing manager April 2015.

Transporeon Group Americas, Philadelphia, Pa.
Patrick Pretorius was promoted to sales director of Ticontract, the company’s e-sourcing, procurement and freight bill auditing division. Pretorius will be responsible for sustaining growth of Ticontract in North America while managing a team of business development managers and inside sales representatives, in addition to overseeing customer support and marketing strategy for the region. Pretorius maintains 14 years of experience on four continents in intermodal procurement, contract logistics and supply chain solutions. He joined the business development team at Transporeon Group in Singapore in 2014. Prior to his position with Transporeon Group, Pretorius served in marketing and management roles with Pantos Logistics and Hyundai Merchant Marine in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amerijet International, Miami, Fla.
Glen Gates will join as director of charter sales, responsible for developing additional revenue opportunities consistent with Amerijet’s long-term air carrier interline, code share and subcontract growth strategy. Gates maintains over 35 years of experience, primarily related to air cargo charter and airline terminal operations. He brings a variety of skills, including expertise with international and domestic freight forwarding, e-commerce logistics, narrow-body and wide-body cargo charter in civil and military environments, fleet planning, ramp/terminal operations and aircraft cabin load economics planning for scheduled and on-demand cargo aircraft. In addition, Gates spent three years with the United States Postal Service - Air Transportation Commodity Management Group, where he procured dedicated jet freighter capacity and aircraft ground operations suppliers for shared and peak season USPS air networks. He also designed and deployed USPS air mail contract performance measurement, flight tracking and financial control applications for domestic, military and international air mail.

SUN Automation Group, Glen Arm, Md.
Greg Jones was promoted to vice president of global sales and aftermarket, where he will oversee SUN’s international sales teams as well as operations of the Guangzhou, China, and Bristol, UK, locations. His focus will also be on identifying strategic acquisitions and maintaining strong relationships with global OEM partners to further support customer aftermarket needs worldwide. Previously, Jones was director of sales and marketing for SUN Automation. Prior to joining SUN in 2012, he spent over 15 years in the manufacturing and packaging sector, where he focused on delivering equipment and material load containment solutions to clients across various sectors. He also sits on the board for SUN Automation Group and is an active member of TAPPI, FBA and AICC, The Independent Packaging Association.