ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS/UNIVERSITIES:
Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP), Arlington, Va.
Paul Doremus and Christine Garvey joined the board of directors. Doremus is deputy assistant administrator for operations at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, where he serves as the chief operating officer, responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency’s operations. He also leads NOAA’s strategic initiative to expand U.S. seafood production, primarily through aquaculture. Garvey is vice president of national accounts at Trident Seafoods Corp., a position she’s held for the past 7 years. In her role, she pioneered the Women of Seafood program, providing in-depth education to women leaders through hands-on experiential learning of the seafood industry. She maintains more than 30 years of experience in the food industry working in sales for food manufacturers focusing on the foodservice channel. Meanwhile, Jim Motos, vice president of Rich Products Corp., was elected vice chair of the board.

The European Machine Vision Association (EMVA), Barcelona, Spain
Chris Yates was elected president, effective Jan. 1, 2020, succeeding Jochem Herrmann, who is stepping down to spend more time with his family after served as president since 2015. Herrmann is co-founder and chief scientist of Adimec BV, and while at the help of EMVA, he oversaw continued growth, standardization and expertise. Yates is director of advanced technology within Rockwell Automation’s safety, sensing and connectivity business. He also previously served as founder and CEO of Odos Imaging, prior to its acquisition by Rockwell Automation in 2017. He was elected to the board of directors in 2018, where he focused on greater engagement with startup companies together with operational direction of the association. Yates has held a number of senior roles in early stage companies, concentrating on the effective translation of novel technology to products in the market.

The National Grocers Association (NGA), Arlington, Va.
Maggie White was promoted to director of the NGA Foundation. White has served as the foundation’s manager, donor relations and development for the past 2 years, where she was responsible for fundraising efforts for the non-profit arm of NGA and executing programs related to workforce and career development, including a scholarship and executive leadership program. She was also responsible for launching the NGA Foundation’s Career Center. Before joining NGA in September 2017, White was a sales representative with Glazer’s Distributors (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits), where she was responsible for managing the wine and spirits sales of more than 60 accounts.

Manomet, Plymouth, Mass.
Peter Larkin, principal and owner of Larkin Consulting, joined the board of directors. In his current role, Larkin helps organizations navigate the complex world of supermarkets, grocery and specialty wholesalers and industry suppliers. Before September, Larkin was president and CEO of the National Grocers Association. He maintains nearly four decades of experience working in the food system.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS/MARKET RESEARCH:
Berner Food & Beverage LLC, Dakota, Ill.
Jesse Higgins was named director of warehouse operations, charged with overseeing warehouse and logistics at two locations, including Berner’s newest warehouse distribution center in Winnebago County, Ill. Additional tasks include oversight of safety compliance, fleet management of trucks and deliveries and maintaining vendor partnerships. He has spent the last 17 years managing warehouse, logistics and supplier management relations for companies such as CSL Behring, PCI Pharma Services, New Breed Logistics and United Parcel Services.

Danone North America, White Plains, N.Y.
Pedro Silveira was named new president of yogurt.

Cascadia Managing Brands, Ramsey, N.J.
Betsy McGinn, co-author of “The Amazon Roadmap: How Innovative Brands are Reinventing the Path to Market,” joined the advisory board. McGinn founded eComm in 2014, where she created partnerships with Amazon and other key online retailers. She maintains more than a decade of e-commerce experience.

The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa.
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, Chuck Raup was promoted to president, U.S., succeeding Todd Tillemans, who is leaving the company to pursue a leadership opportunity. Raup will be tasked with leading the company's U.S. business, including core confection and its sales and go-to-market teams, and responsible for driving growth across traditional and digital channels. Raup most recently served as vice president, U.S. CMG, and has served in increasing roles of responsibility throughout his 10-year service with the company, most recently leading the turnaround of the U.S. business. He maintains broad experience leading snacking operations across candy, mint and gum, and previously led the company’s Mexico business, improving its operations and performance. Prior to joining Hershey, Raup was a marketing and operational executive with Kraft. Kristen Riggs was promoted to senior vice president, chief growth officer, succeeding Mary Beth West, who will be retiring from the company. Riggs is charged with leading Hershey’s consumer intelligence and strategy capabilities, strategic growth platforms, marketing excellence functions, innovation, research and development. Riggs most recently served as vice president, innovation and strategic growth platforms. She’s a 15-year Hershey veteran, with experience leading billion-dollar businesses across brand marketing and sales and transforming operations and cultures to drive growth and profitability. Most recently, she led the redesign and execution of Hershey’s commercial planning operations. Chris Scalia was promoted to senior vice president, chief human resources officer, succeeding Kevin Walling, who is leaving the company to join a Fortune 200 company. Scalia most recently served as vice president, global human resources, and has operated in senior executive roles leading all aspects of Hershey’s people and culture agenda, including talent planning and development, data and analytics and operational effectiveness. Scalia joined the company in 2005 in the legal department with an expertise in labor relations, and transitioned to human resources in 2011. Hector de la Barreda was appointed president, Amplify, tasked with continuing to lead the company’s Amplify snacking business. De la Barreda is a seasoned senior executive with deep operational and general management experience leading Hershey’s Mexico business for many years. He most recently led Hershey Canada through a business transformation. Meanwhile, Terry O’Day, senior vice president, chief technology and data officer, announced plans to retire from the company, effective March 31, 2020. With this change, Steve Voskuil, chief financial officer, will lead Hershey’s technology efforts, including management of the company’s information technology and enterprise resource planning initiatives.

Mondelēz International, Deerfield, Ill.
Minsok Pak was named executive vice president, chief strategy and transformation officer, effective Jan. 13, 2020, responsible for enterprise strategy as well as strategic growth opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions, new business and digital transformation initiatives. He will also lead SnackFutures, the company’s innovation and venture hub. Pak previously worked as executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer for Target Corp., where he maintained oversight of Target’s enterprise strategy and innovation efforts and helped lead the development and implementation of the company’s growth strategy. Prior to Target, he served as senior vice president, LEGO retail/shopper marketing and channel development at The LEGO Group, where he led the company’s branded omnichannel retail business, including e-commerce in more than 20 markets, and its shopper marketing and channel development efforts. He began his career at McKinsey & Co., where he spent nearly two decades in various roles, including head of the Asia-Pacific sales and marketing, and other leadership positions in North American supply chain and Asia consumer and retail practices.

Houweling’s Group, Camarillo, Calif.
Craig Laker, vice president of sales, announced his retirement from the company at the end of the year. Laker maintains a nearly 5-decade career in produce. He started his fresh produce career as a teenager in 1970 at Loblaws, then moved to Sunkist in 1976 and Horne and Pitfield Foods in 1978. Laker then joined BCHH in 1985, where he spent the next 25 years. In 2010, Laker moved on from BC Hot House Foods Inc. to join Houweling’s in Canada, before relocating to the Camarillo office a year later.

Dawn Foods Products Inc., Jackson, Mich.
John Schmitz was hired as the company's newly appointed president of North America, effective Jan. 6, 2020. Schmitz maintains more than 25 years of leadership experience in building high-performing teams. Schmitz has spent the last 12 years at Land O'Lakes, where he served as vice president for international, where he helped establish business operations in Canada, Mexico, South Africa and Kenya. Throughout his career, Schmitz has worked across myriad industries, including consumer packaged goods, global agribusiness, foodservice and industrial products.

Vision Produce Co., Los Angeles
Scott Levario joined the sales department to help grow sales, procurement and distribution. Most recently, he served as regional director of procurement for Renaissance Food Group., and before that, held positions of management in merchandising, buying and procurement for Safeway. 

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Westborough, Mass.
Lee Delaney was named chief executive officer, succeed Christopher Baldwin, who was named executive chairman, serving as a strategic advisor and lead of the board of directors. Delaney joined BJ’s in 2016 as executive vice president, chief growth officer. Prior to joining BJ’s, Delaney was a partner in the Bain & Co., and a leader in the firm’s consumer products practice. Baldwin joined the company in 2015 as president and COO. He was named chief executive officer in February 2016 and chairman in 2018. Prior to joining BJ’s, he was chief executive officer of Hess Retail Corp., and before that, joined Hess Retail, where he held various leadership roles at Nabisco, Hershey and Procter and Gamble. Baldwin is also the chairman of the National Retail Federation. Meanwhile, Thomas Kingsbury was appointed to the board of directors, replacing Cameron Breitner, who is stepping down. Kingsbury served as chief executive officer of Burlington Coat Factory from 2008-2019. Prior to that, he was senior executive vice president—information services, e-commerce, marketing and business development of Kohl’s Corp. Kingsbury also held management positions, including president and CEO of The May Department Stores’ Filene’s/Kaufmann’s division. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Tractor Supply Co. Breitner is a partner at CVC and joined the board in 2011. All appointments are effective Feb. 2, 2020.

NoKota Packers, Inc. (NPI), Buxton, N.D.
Steve Tweten, president, CEO and partner, announced plans to retire Dec. 27 after 40 years with the company. Tweten grew up farming potatoes on his father’s potato farm, Malcolm Tweten Farms. In 1979, he and his father started NPI, and became president in 1988 when his father retired. Tweten also served on the marketing and promotion committee for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, was a consultant to United Potato Growers of America, and was president for his local Farm Bureau. He also served as treasurer, vice president and president with Grand Forks County Ag club.

FOODSERVICE:
Dunkin’ Brands, Canton, Mass.
The parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins promoted Scott Murphy, formerly Dunkin’ U.S. chief operating officer, to president, Dunkin’ Americas, assuming the role from Dave Hoffmann, who continues to serve as chief executive officer. Murphy, a 15-year veteran with the company, will be responsible for all aspects of operations, restaurant development, franchising, field marketing, supply chain and consumer packaged goods for the approximately 10,000 Dunkin’ restaurants in North and South America. Murphy joined Dunkin’ Brands in 2004 as director, international supply chain, and became the vice president of strategic supply later that same year. In 2013, he was named chief supply officer and senior vice president international operations, and was promoted to senior vice president of operations, Dunkin’ U.S. & Canada in 2015. He was named Dunkin’ U.S. chief operating officer in 2018. Prior to Dunkin’, Murphy was with A.T. Kearney. Additionally, Dana Reid was promoted to vice president, field marketing, Dunkin’ U.S. Reid joined Dunkin’ Brands in 2008 as a Dunkin’ U.S. field marketing manager, and was promoted to director in 2017. She became senior director for the same division in 2018. Prior to Dunkin’, Reid was vice president, marketing and communications for the Fenway Sports Group. She began her career with MasterCard Worldwide as part of their sponsorships team.

Subway, Milford, Conn.
Don Fertman, chief development officer, announced his retirement after 39 years with the company. Fertman will stay on as a development consultant through the end of 2020, while his duties will be transitioned to Bill McCane, vice president of global development. Meanwhile, Dave Worroll, chief financial officer, announced his retirement after nearly 30 years the company. Worroll is staying on through mid-2020 to help transition to new Ben Wells, new chief financial officer. Ian Martin, senior vice president for international, will be leaving Subway at the end of this year as a result of an international division reorganization. Martin was instrumental in building a solid foundation for continued growth throughout global markets. 

SUPPLIERS:
Nor-Lake, Hudson, Wis.
Jeff Lehmann was named regional sales manager, effective Dec. 2, 2019, responsible for managing three manufacturer representative groups on behalf of Nor-Lake in the Northeastern territory. Lehmann most recently served as national account manager for LA-CO Industries, and prior to that, was national account manager for Sherwin-Williams.

Cambridge Security Seals (CSS), Pomona, N.Y.
Raymond Townsend assumed the position of director of manufacturing, where he will oversee all of CSS’s North American manufacturing activities, including product and process design, automation, processing, quality and production. Townsend maintains nearly three decades of engineering, processing, production, product design and plant management experience, including over 20 years in the medical products industry. Townsend previously served as both plant and manufacturing manager for Nordson Medical, with earlier stints at Irwin Enterprises, Complex Tooling & Molding, NYPRO and COBE Cardiovascular. Prior to entering the manufacturing field, Townsend served in the United States Marine Corp.

Hanson Logistics, St. Joseph, Mich.
Blake Larkin was promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for strategic marketing direction and execution, as well as overseeing all sales activities, including customer relations. He will also spearhead all transportation and freight sales. He previously served as the company’s vice president of business development, where he was instrumental in developing, implementing and growing the company’s Velocities Multi-Vendor Consolidation program. Larkin is a seasoned executive with 20 years of management experience in food and logistics. Early in his career, Larkin joined Dole Food Co. as senior financial analyst, rising to general manager of logistics services, fresh vegetables division. He then spent 10 years with Millard Refrigerated Services as director of transportation development and vice president of business development.

Motion Controls Robotics, Inc (MCRI), Fremont, Ohio
John Elffers joined as regional sales manager for the Northeastern territory. Elffers previously worked at Promach Filling Systems via Pneumatic Scale Angelus, Inc., and maintains experience supplying solutions for automation, design and implementation of capital equipment projects with Fortune 500 companies.

Green Rabbit, Braintree, Mass.
Doug Allen was appointed chief financial officer, assuming responsibility for the company’s financial operations, corporate strategy and plans for growth. Allen maintains more than 25 years of business experience and a keen understanding of what it takes to establish a financial infrastructure, develop comprehensive business plans and procedures and scale high-growth companies. Allen has served as chief financial officer at SmartPak Equine, LLC and KUIU, LLC, where he helped build their brands and power rapid growth. Previously, he held several senior financial and operations roles at companies such as Granite Telecommunications, Outpost International, LLC, True Partners, LLC and J. Jill. 

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, Long Beach, Calif.
Eleanor Torres was appointed director of government relations, acting as the port's representative to federal, state and local governments, and oversee the activities of the port's legislative advocates in Sacramento, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Torres spent the last 12 years at the Orange County Water District as director of public affairs, where she oversaw legislative affairs, communications and community outreach. Prior to the Orange County Water District, she spent 10 years working for the California Legislature, including serving as district director for then-Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer.

Alto-Shaam, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Chef Nic Tsikis announced his retirement after more than 30 years with the company. Tsikis joined Alto-Shaam in 1990 as international corporate executive chef, responsible for training and demonstrating equipment.

Kinedyne LLC, Branchburg, N.J.
John Seliga was appointed new vice president of finance, succeeding Tobey Rumack, who retired earlier this year. Seliga maintains more than 25 year’ financial experience managing business growth and implementing financial, operational and technological changes.

Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C.
Leon Topalian was elected a director, while John Walker will serve as non-executive chairman of the board of directors, both effective Jan. 1, 2020. Topalian is president and COO of Nucor, and will become chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Topalian served as an executive vice president of Nucor from 2017-2019 and as vice president from 2013-2017. He has been employed by Nucor in various capacities since 1996, including serving as general manager at two of Nucor's facilities, in Arkansas and Illinois, as well as a melting and casting manager, operations manager, cold mill production supervisor and project engineer. Walker, who maintains more than 35 years of experience in metal-related manufacturing and fabricating industries, has served as a member of the board of directors since 2008 and as lead director of Nucor since 2017. Walker served as non-executive chairman of Global Brass and Copper Holdings, Inc. from 2014-2019, was executive chairman of Global Brass and Copper from 2013-2014 and was chief executive officer of Global Brass and Copper from 2007-2014. Prior to joining Global Brass and Copper, Walker was president and CEO of The Boler Co.; president, CEO and COO of Weirton Steel Corp.; and president of flat rolled products for Kaiser Aluminum Corp. Walker is also a director of Owens-Illinois, Inc. and will serve as a director of Otis Elevator Co. after its separation from United Technologies Corp. in 2020.

Bettcher Industries, Inc., Birmingham, Ohio
Tim Swanson joined as chief executive officer, succeeding Don Esch, who is retiring at the end of the year after having served as chief executive officer since October 2014. Swanson previously served as president of Barnes Group’s global engineered components business. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Illinois Tool Works (ITW) serving in general management roles within the global automotive and welding segments. Swanson began his career at Whirlpool Corp.

MaxLite, West Caldwell, N.J.
Spencer Bolgard was promoted to president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2020, succeeding founder Yon Sung, who will transition to chairman of an independent board of company advisors. Bolgard joined MaxLite in December 2018 as president and COO, where he implemented significant expansions to the company’s global manufacturing capabilities and independent sales representative networks. Bolgard previously served 6 years as general manager of the Phoenix Contact’s U.S. subsidiary, and vice president of its device connector business in the United States. He is a veteran of the electrical and lighting industries, having held progressively senior positions with Phoenix Contact, Cooper Industries, Generation Brands - Sea Gull Lighting/Monte Carlo Fans, Affiliated Distributors, Motorola, Leviton and GE. Bolgard also served as an armor officer in the U.S. Army. Sung founded MaxLite in 1993 as a joint venture with his father's South Korea-based company, SK Enterprise Co, Ltd. In 1998, Yon acquired 100% ownership of the company and began developing new business channels within the green technology industry. Under Yon’s leadership, MaxLite was one of the first manufacturers in the industry to move into LED technology.

Manatee County Port Authority, Palmetto, Fla.
Manatee County commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace was elected to a 1-year term as chairwoman. Whisenant Trace, who has served on the county’s commission and the port’s board since 2016, succeeds Vanessa Baugh, who has held the chair role the past three years. Whisenant Trace was the port board’s first vice chairwoman in 2017 and again in 2019. She is also a member of several local boards, including the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Policy Board and Manatee County Value Adjustment Board. Elected to serve 1-year officer terms in 2020 are Reggie Bellamy, first vice chairman; Misty Servia, second vice chairwoman; and Stephen Jonsson, third vice chairman.

Northrop Grumman Corp., Falls Church, Va.
Lesley Kalan was named corporate vice president and chief strategy and development officer, effective Jan. 1, 2020. In her expanded role, Kalan will continue to lead the company’s public policy, regulatory and government affairs strategies. She will also develop, implement and lead the company’s business strategy and lead domestic business development and commercial partnerships. Kalan has served as corporate vice president of government relations since Jan. 1, 2018, and prior to that, served as vice president of legislative affairs since 2010.