ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:

The Natural Products Association, Washington, D.C.

Gabrielle Alahouzos was named vice president of membership services. Alahouzos most recently served as the director of membership marketing for the National Association of Home Builders, focusing on building and maintaining a quality membership experience. In her role at NAHB, she developed an ROI framework to measure their marketing strategy and led the launch of a Net Promoter Score program to improve member feedback and analyze member satisfaction.  

 

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Washington, D.C.

Chase Adams will be joining as director of communications, replacing Mike Deering, who is leaving to take the position of executive director of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association.  Adams was working as a farm broadcaster for KBHB radio. He is a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, and is a practicing attorney, focused on criminal law of environment and natural resources, property rights and trusts. 

 

Grocery Manufacturers Association, Washington, D.C.

Capitol Hill veteran Michael Gruber was named vice president of federal affairs, responsible for managing all federal policy issues and advocacy activities on behalf of the food, beverage and consumer products industry. Gruber has almost 20 years of experience in policymaking, advocacy and campaigns.  He comes from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he served as senior policy advisor. He will assume his new post on Oct. 1.

 

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

JBS USA, Greeley, Colo.

Don Jackson announced his retirement as chief executive officer, effective end of 2012. Andre Nogueira, former chief financial officer and current CEO of JBS Australia, will become CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2013. Jackson will remain with the company in an advisory capacity and retain his seat on the board of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

 

Dunkin' Brands, Canton, Mass.

Chuck Jolley was appointed vice president, international integration and franchisee profitability, responsible for the integration strategy of Dunkin' Brands' international teams, working with the brand's international partners to drive franchisee profitability.  Jolley joins the company from Autogrill, a leading owner of food and beverage restaurants in Europe, where he served as general manager for Eastern Europe, overseeing strategic development throughout the region.  Meanwhile, Jo-ming Tung was promoted to vice president, greater China; John Varghese was promoted to vice president, Middle East and Southeast Asia and Australia; and Carlos Vidal was promoted to vice president, Europe and India, all responsible for the operations and store development of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins within their regions.

 

Performance Food Group, Inc., Richmond, Va.

Kent Berke was promoted to senior vice president, business development, responsible for strategically developing and sourcing growth opportunities for all business segments through acquisitions that are aligned with PFG’s growth strategies. He will identify and evaluate acquisition candidates, as well as oversee the transaction and integration process for all acquisitions.

 

Preferred Meal Systems, Inc., Berkely, Ill.

Rufus Stephens was named regional vice president-Midwest, responsible for maintaining customer service in the Midwest as well as developing and executing business development strategies to contribute to the company’s growth in the region. Stephens has been actively involved in the foodservice industry for more than 30 years. He initially joined Preferred Meal Systems in 1975 as production supervisor. After serving as a wholesale food distributor with his own firm from 1987-1994, he re-joined PMS in 1995 as the Midwest general manager and later as general manager for one of the company’s largest clients. He has also played key roles in the company’s expansion around the country.

 

SUPPLIERS:

Alterrus Systems Inc., British Columbia, Canada

Executive chairman Stephen Fane was named interim chief financial officer, replacing John Hamilton, who resigned effective Aug. 31. Fane, fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, is a hydroponic greenhouse entrepreneur and former partner at Coopers & Lybrand, a predecessor firm to Price Waterhouse Coopers.

 

Master-Bilt Refrigeration, New Albany, Miss.

Richard Yeomans of Richard Yeomans Sales and Marketing was named a Canadian sales representative, responsible for covering sales for north, east and south Ontario. Yeomans brings more than 20 years of experience in the refrigeration and foodservice industry, and has held several executive management positions in sales, marketing and manufacturing.

U.S. Xpress, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Latasha Neal joined as vice president of driver recruiting. Neal has nearly 20 years of experience in the trucking industry, working primarily in the areas of driver recruiting and driver retention. She most recently served as the director of recruiting and retention for Swift Transportation.

 

FreightCar America, Inc., Chicago

Jeffrey Klamar was named vice president, sourcing, responsible for leading the full scope of sourcing activities, including direct materials, operating supplies and capital improvements. He will also serve as the company’s sourcing strategist and create a supply chain to support its long-term domestic and international business objectives.

 

Watco Transportation Services, Pittsburg, Kan.

Keith Barksdale was appointed assistant vice president of transportation safety, responsible for leading the regional safety quality and assurance man­agers in carrying safety initiatives to the field level and ensuring rule compliance on existing programs. He will also be working hand-in-hand with the safety training depart­ment to ensure that training is carried forward into the field. Meanwhile, Rik Rainville was named vice president of corporate railcar services, responsible for ensuring employees carry out safety initiatives at the field level.

RailWorks Corp., New York

Ed Kennedy was promoted to president of RailWorks Track Services, Inc. , the track construction and maintenance subsidiary serving the Midwest and Northeast markets. He is responsible for directing all aspects of operations through RailWorks Track Services’ six regional and local offices.  Kennedy has served as vice president and general manager since 2007. Meanwhile, Daniel Brown was appointed corporate equipment manager, responsible for managing the purchase and maintenance of the company's vehicle and equipment fleet. Brown comes to RailWorks with more than 15 years of railroad management and business development experience.

 

Stellar, Jacksonville, Fla.

Retired Navy captain John Heinzel was appointed vice president of refrigeration services. Most recently, Heinzel served as commanding officer, naval facilities engineering command Southeast. Under his leadership, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast provided construction services for a $130 million expansion of a military training installation, a $128 million relocation of Third Army to Shaw Air Force Base and a $33 million Haiti reconstruction effort. He also spearheaded the planning and execution of $55 million in energy enhancements to 37 major Navy facilities and directed the Navy's largest real estate program, including the expansion of four airfields.
 
Lomas Logistics, Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Harry Smit was named vice president of the logistics division for the parent company L.V. Lomas, responsible for overseeing operational performance, sales, marketing and strategy. Smit comes to the company with more than 20 years of sales experience with integrated freight and parcel solutions. Meanwhile, Greg Bailey was named senior sales director of third-party logistics, responsible for helping develop brand recognition within the marketplace and guide vertical development. Bailey brings 17 years of sales experience with several delivery solution companies.