ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.
Robb MacKie, president and CEO of American Bakers Association (ABA), joined the board of NAM’s Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA). Kimberly Korbel, executive director of the American Wire Producers Association, will serve as chair, and Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, will serve as vice chair. In addition, the 2019 incoming CMA board members include Steve Caldeira, president and CEO of the Household & Commercial Products Association; Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association; Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association; Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of American Cleaning Institute; Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of American Beverage Association; Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of Beer Institute; Mike Sommers, president and CEO of American Petroleum Institute; Chris Swonger, chief executive officer of Distilled Spirits Council; and Dena Wiggins, president of Natural Gas Supply Association.

Seafood Nutrition Partnership, Louisville, Ky.
Stephanie Mattingly, vice president of marketing for Long John Silver’s, joined the board of directors. Mattingly joined Long John Silver’s in 2017, leading the development of brand strategy, promotions, advertising and public relations. She previously worked in various marketing roles at YUM! Brands for 12 years. Mattingly has also worked alongside the Long John Silver’s culinary team to develop high-quality, innovative seafood options.

Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC), Anaheim, Calif.
2018 chairman Alfonso Cano, produce director for Albertson’s Lucky’s division, will pass the gavel to Andrew Bivens, vice president of business development for Westlake Produce Co., but will remain on the board as past chair representative, replacing Connie Stukenberg, retail marketing director of the California Avocado Commission. Stukenberg will remain on the board as past chair representative, and Brian Cook, president of Pete’s Living Greens, will serve as chair elect. Sean McClure, national procurement director, specialty produce of Bonduelle Fresh Americas, joined as secretary/treasurer. New to the board of directors are Paul Kneeland, executive director of Gelson’s Markets; Kori Martin, sales representative and key account manager for The Oppenheimer Group; Lynnie Nojadera, office manager of Quebec Distributing Co.; Sheryl Salazar, produce sales manager for Albertsons/Vons; Michael Schutt, produce merchant at Raley’s Supermarkets; Dannie Timblin, director of sales at Edge Sales & Marketing; and Paige Venable, floral director at Vallarta Supermarkets.

Sea Pact, Canada
Stacy Schultz, director of marketing and sustainability coordinator at Fortune Fish and Gourmet, was elected new chairwoman, taking the place of former chairman Hamish Walker, chief operating officer at Seattle Fish Co.
 

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Washington, D.C.
Erin Duncan was named vice president of congressional affairs, effective Jan. 23. Duncan maintains extensive experience in Washington D.C. She joins SEIA after more than 11 years as a federal lobbyist for the National Education Association. Prior to that, she spent 8 years working on Capitol Hill, including 6 years as legislative director for Rep. Tom Osborne, (R-Nebraska). Additionally, Katherine Gensler was promoted to the newly created position of vice president of regulatory affairs, effective immediately. Gensler has worked for SEIA for 11 years, steering the association’s efforts on a wide range of energy, permitting and finance issues at the federal level. She also leads SEIA’s advocacy work in the Texas regulatory and legislative arenas.

Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), Watsonville, Calif.
Kate Tynan, vice president of the Northwest Horticultural Council, will serve as the organization’s new vice chair. And, Lisa Lochridge, director of public affairs for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, was appointed to the board of directors, replacing Mike Stuart, who is retiring. Also retiring is Matt McInerney, executive vice president for Western Growers. McInerney chaired the AFF management board for over 6 years, and helped launch the Safe Fruits and Veggies campaign. 

BlueNalu, San Diego, Calif.
The new interdisciplinary advisory board consists of Carlos Barroso, president, CJB and Associates; Pierre-Yves Cousteau, president, Cousteau Divers; Susie Fogelson, president, Fogelson & Co.; John Kelly III, president, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation USA; Kevin Lyons, associate professor supply chain environmental management, Rutgers Business School; Timothy Morck, president, Spectrum Nutrition, LLC; L. Timothy Ryan, president, Culinary Institute of America; Roy Yamaguchi, founder, Roy’s Restaurants; and Yonathan Zohar, chair, Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Corwin Beverage Co., Ridgefield, Wash.
Anna Abatzoglou was named director of marketing, tasked with supporting the company’s traditional soft drink and emerging product lines. Abatzoglou maintains 13 years of marketing experience in food, beverage and financial services. She previously served as director of marketing for Rogue Ales and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, and led brand marketing for Clemens Food Group. She also held client relationship roles with Citi and Wells Fargo.

Dean Foods Co., Dallas, Texas
Chris Finck was appointed senior vice president, chief sales officer, effective immediately, tasked with leading the company’s national sales team to drive the company's brands and optimize its go-to-market strategies. Finck maintains more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience with premier companies, as well as an extensive background in corporate strategy and significant expertise in the food and beverage industry. Most recently, Finck was chief customer officer for TreeHouse Foods, where he led the global customer sales organization with $7 billion in annual sales. Prior to this, Finck held positions of increasing responsibility at Sara Lee Corp., Grupo Bimbo, PepsiCo and Nestlé. Jeff Dawson was named senior vice president, chief accounting officer, effective Jan. 28, responsible for enterprise-wide accounting operations, including internal and external financial reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Dawson maintains more than 25 years of accounting and finance experience. Most recently, Dawson served as chief accounting officer, North America for Nokia Oy (formerly Alcatel-Lucent SA). Prior to this, he held senior financial positions with The Black & Decker Corp. and Georgia-Pacific Corp. Dawson's career also includes financial work with Velocita Corp. He began his career with Deloitte & Touche. Dawson replaces Scott Vopni, who left the company to pursue other opportunities. Vopni took over as interim CFO in August 2017.

Cargill, Wichita, Kan.
Jon Nash was selected to lead the North American protein business, effective March 1. Nash began his career at Cargill in 1998. Most recently, he was the president of Cargill’s Protein foodservice business, where he strengthened and built strategic customer relationships. He maintains a diverse mix of commercial, operations and finance experience. He’s also served as vice president of operations, and was the general manager and controller of the company’s Fresno, Calif., beef facility. As a result, Misty High will assume the Cargill Protein foodservice business lead role, also effective March 1. Currently, High serves as vice president and key customer leader in Cargill’s Protein business. She maintains a strong track record building strategic partnerships with foodservice and retail customers, and has advanced joint efforts on sustainability. High joined Cargill in 2005 after starting her career with an integrated advertising and marketing agency.

Green Thumb Industries Inc., Chicago
Matt Miller was appointed general counsel. Miller is a seasoned attorney and an experienced in-house counsel and business leader with over 22 years of experience. Most recently, he served as vice president, deputy general counsel for Groupon for 7 years, where he built and managed teams around the globe, solved high-stakes domestic and international disputes, managed global intellectual property and employment functions, advised on regulatory and compliance matters and oversaw liability reporting related to SEC requirements for publicly traded companies. He began his career with Jenner & Block, and previously owned and operated his own firm, where he advised clients in a variety of industries, including technology, media, entertainment, medical, real estate, transportation and finance. And, Kate Denton was named senior vice president, marketing. Denton maintains over 15 years of experience, including leading and building brands such as Kraft Foods and PepsiCo. During her time with PepsiCo, she reenergized brands such as Gatorade and Tropicana with innovative new product lines and led a number of brands, including Taco Bell and Cool Whip while at Kraft Foods. Most recently, Denton acted as chief marketing officer of Loudpack, and was senior vice president of Capitol Music Group, where she revolutionized the way that artists interact with brands, securing partnership opportunities for artists such as Lil Yachty, Migos, Halsey and Katy Perry. 

Chicago Meat Authority, Chicago
Chris Ross joined as vice president of operations. Ross has worked in the meat and protein industry since his teen years, when he was on the line at a large poultry plant. In 2005, he started working for Harris Ranch in various roles. Ten years later, he was one of the top executives at JBS Swift, advancing to sales director in charge of supply chain of premium beef programs.

Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark.
Chad Martin, who has served as senior vice president and general manager, beef enterprise for Tyson Fresh Meats, was promoted to group president, poultry, following the company’s acquisition of Keystone Foods. Martin joined IBP, Inc., which later became Tyson Fresh Meats, in 1996. He has since held a number of management positions in the United States and Canada, having previously served as vice president of strategy and margin enhancement of the company’s beef business. Donnie King returns to lead the company’s international business as group president, international, responsible for the overall international growth strategy, global business models and overseas operations. King joined Tyson Foods in 1982, where he served as president of prepared foods, senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods, and most recently, as president of North American operations until he left the company in 2017. Doug Ramsey, who has served as group president, poultry since 2017, will assume the newly created role of president, global McDonald’s business, leading the relationship with McDonald’s. Ramsey joined Tyson Foods in 1992, and has served as president of poultry operations and senior vice president of big bird and fowl, value added. Additionally, Frank Ravndal, former president and CEO of Keystone Foods, will be leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Stater Bros. Markets, San Bernardino, Calif.
Keith Thomas was promoted to group senior vice president – retail operations, where he will continue to lead the company’s retail operations and training departments, while also oversee all 172 supermarkets. Thomas maintains more than 38 years of retail grocery experience. He joined Stater Bros. in 1981 as courtesy clerk at the Riverside, Mo., location. He progressed through a range of retail store and supervision roles, including store manager, retail grocery supervisor and retail district manager. In 2009, Thomas was promoted to regional vice president – retail operations, and in 2018, was promoted to his most recent position of senior vice president – retail operations. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Western Association of Food Chains.    

Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Canada
Sarah Davis will assume expanded responsibilities in her role as president. In addition to day-to-day oversight of Loblaw's business performance, she adds full responsibility for the company's 13-member management board and expands her direct-reporting lines with the addition of finance and human resources. In her 12 years at Loblaw, Davis has served as chief financial officer, chief administrative officer and the executive lead of most business and operational functions. She has been president since January 2017. Meanwhile, Galen Weston will become executive chairman, where he retains senior executive oversight of Loblaw's long-term strategy, while applying greater attention to a broader transformation strategy at parent company George Weston Ltd., where he serves as chairman and CEO.

Allen Lund Co. (ALC), La Cañada Flintridge Calif.
Todd Piccola was promoted to manager of the Rochester, N.Y., office following his accomplishments as a transportation broker. Piccola began his career at ALC Rochester in June 2010. Over the years, he has spent time in the Los Angeles and Boston offices learning about the brokerage business and gaining experience in both dry and refrigerated goods. And, Greg Babiarz was promoted to assistant manager of the Charlotte, N.C., office following his leadership and contributions as operations manager. Babiarz has been with ALC for 12 years, and maintains over 14 years of industry experience.

Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, Va.
Dennis Organ was promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer, U.S. operations, effective Jan. 1, where he will oversee and unify all domestic business operations management, including the company’s hog production, fresh pork and packaged meats businesses. He is also responsible for strategic development, day-to-day operations and continued improvement of the company’s U.S. businesses. Organ has been with Smithfield for 8 years. Brady Stewart was promoted to executive vice president, U.S. hog production, succeeding Gregg Schmidt, who will remain president, U.S. hog production, until his retirement at the end of 2019. Stewart previously served as vice president and general manager of Kansas City Sausage Co. and Pine Ridge Farms, which Smithfield acquired in 2017. John Pauley joined in the newly created position of chief commercial officer, packaged meats, responsible for commercial strategy and development, including domestic packaged meats sales channels and business development, as well as all domestic marketing activities, innovation and product development. Pauley has been with the company for 18 years, and previously served as executive vice president of retail sales, packaged meats. Also, Keira Lombardo was promoted to executive vice president of corporate affairs and compliance, leading the company’s communications, government affairs, sustainability and investor relations efforts, and overseeing all of Smithfield’s compliance functions, including legal. Lombardo has been with Smithfield for more than 16 years.

FOODSERVICE:
Domino's Pizza, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Stu Levy was hired as executive vice president of supply chain, effective Jan. 21. Levy was most recently executive vice president, chief transformation officer for Republic Services, Inc. Before that, he served as a partner with Bain & Co. from 2008-2014, where he advised clients on strategy, marketing, organization, operations, technology and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Bain & Co., Levy maintained leadership roles at McMaster-Carr Supply Co., Utility Management Services Group and Andersen Consulting.

SUPPLIERS:
Kainos Capital, Dallas, Texas
Jay Desai was promoted to a partner of the firm. Desai previously served as managing director, and maintains over 15 years of principal investing, investment banking and strategy experience in the food and consumer products sectors. Desai joined Kainos in 2016 to lead the firm's business development efforts. Prior to joining Kainos, Desai was senior vice president of strategy at CROSSMARK, and served as a director in the mergers and acquisitions department at Deutsche Bank Securities, where he concentrated on consumer opportunities and managed the acquisition function for Global Brands Acquisition Corp. Desai began his career at Merrill Lynch before joining Andrew Rosen and other members of the Kainos team at Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst as an investment associate from 2005-2008.

Fleet Advantage, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Jim Wharton was hired as vice president, finance. Wharton maintains extensive experience in financial and corporate accounting, financial planning and analysis and ERP implementations. Previously, he served as director of finance for Steiner Leisure Ltd., where he oversaw all accounting functions, purchasing, human resources and information technology and managed the company’s real estate and operational systems. Wharton was also instrumental in managing all accounting functions, as well as financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, contract negotiations, auditing processes and financial elements during acquisitions. He’s also held accounting and financial positions with Arthur Anderson, Lennar Corp. and Chancellor Beacon.

Kontainers, UK
Jesper Thomsen was named an adviser and investor. Thomsen has been advising Kontainers since early 2018. He previously served as vice president of global sales and customer service for Maersk Line, where he headed up the digital transformation program. And, John Gilleran was appointed an adviser. Gilleran maintains global enterprise software experience scaling companies, and sold his company to Accenture in 2017.

BakeMark, Pico Rivera, Calif.
Monica Melena was appointed new national accounts manager, effective Jan. 21. Prior to joining BakeMark, Melena held various positions in sales, purchasing and operations. Most recently, she served as director of sales for Coastal Marketing Group, and maintains experience in purchasing and operations with companies such as Walmart and Dave & Busters.

SencorpWhite, Hyannis, Mass.
Corey Calla assumed the role of president, effective Oct. 1, 2018, responsible for White Systems, including the operations of the InTek Integration Technologies and Minerva Software divisions (SencorpWhite acquired InTek in 2017, and acquired Minerva in 2018). Calla is also leading customer service initiatives for its thermoforming, sealing and automated storage equipment. Calla has held various leadership positions at Honeywell Intelligrated over the past 23 years, and maintains extensive experience in sales, service, product development and management. For instance, he has led the introduction of many initiatives to develop new products, enhance customer experience and streamline business systems. He has also designed and developed a cloud-based suite of applications to expedite service and support, and managed a 40-person strategic sales team.

Micron Waste Technologies Inc., Canada
Alfred Wong was appointed president and CEO, effective immediately, succeeding CEO Rav Mlait. Wong joined Micron as president in 2016, and was instrumental in overseeing the development of the company's research and development from design to prototype. In his new role, he will oversee strategic growth initiatives with a focus on accelerating commercialization of the company’s food and cannabis waste processing systems. He will also lead expansion into new product verticals for industries such as food processing, pulp and paper and more.

Detectamet Ltd., UK
Chris Lund was appointed new sales manager, responsible for growing market share in the UK and Europe. Lund maintains 15 years’ experience in selling foodservice equipment. Previously, Lund worked as regional accounts manager, catering manager and export sales manager to increase back selling, develop end-user sales and set up new distributor sales channels in the Middle and Far East.

tna, Dallas, Texas
Jonathan Rankin was appointed chief executive officer, charged with leading the company’s day-to-day operations, while focusing on the implementation of new processes. Rankin’s food industry experience spans over three decades. He held various global management roles at tna from 1993-2003, then returned earlier this year as chief sales officer, where he oversaw the global sales division. Before re-joining tna, he served as general manager for Marel, where he was responsible for the growth of the company’s Oceania operations.

Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), San Antonio, Texas
Victoria Frazier was promoted to vice president of sales, where she will oversee and mentor the sales team. Prior to her promotion, Frazier served as director of corporate sales and training. Frazier began her FSNS career over 7 years ago, starting as a temp employee at the Phoenix laboratory, before transitioning into a sales role, where she worked directly with customers nationwide.

AeroFarms, Newark, N.J.
Roger Post joined as new chief operating officer, tasked with overseeing operations, food safety, quality assurance, engineering, farm construction, STACK/data systems and R&D. Post maintains over 28 years of manufacturing and supply chain operations experience in consumer packaged goods with companies such as Danone North America and Kraft Nabisco. Most recently, he was senior vice president of manufacturing operations and fulfillment at Danone North America, responsible for over 15 manufacturing sites and attached distribution centers, engineering, continuous improvement, co-manufacturing operations, environmental health safety and leadership of 3,800 employees.