ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:

Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, Washington, D.C.
New to the council are John Berrey, chairman of Quapaw Tribe; Tawney Brunsch, executive director of Lakota Funds; Gilbert Harrison, rancher; Henry Holder, farmer/rancher for Choctaw; Derrick Lente, attorney and farmer/rancher for Sandia Pueblo; Jerry McPeak, farmer/rancher and state legislator, Muscogee Creek; Angela Sandstol, natural resources and conservation official, Native Village of Tyonek; Edward Soza, rancher/tribal council member, Soboba; Mary Thompson, farmer/rancher, Eastern Band of Cherokee; Sarah Vogel, civil rights attorney and former 2-term agricultural commissioner for North Dakota; Mark Wadsworth, natural resources/range management, Shoshone-Bannock. Four USDA officials were also appointed: Chris Beyerhelm, director, farm loan programs, Farm Service Agency; Val Dolcini, administrator, Farm Service Agency; Dr. Joe Leonard, assistant secretary for civil rights; and Leslie Wheelock, director, office of tribal relations.

International Refrigerated Transportation Association, Alexandria, Va.
Chris Mnichowski, president and CEO of CTI Freight Systems, Inc., the parent of Cold Train Intermodal and CT Cartage, was elected 2014-2015 chairman. Jim Gray of K&J Trucking was elected vice chairman and Matt Luckas with Hanson Logistics was elected treasurer. Newly elected directors of the board of directors include Gregg Bostick, Americold; Brendan McCahill, Datamyne Inc.; Eric Olafson, Port of Miami; Josh Malkin, On a Roll Trucking; Diogo Lobo, Lineage Logistics; and Leonard (Bud) Rodowick, Thermo King.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) board hired Genevieve Poirier-Richards as senior vice president of marketing. Previously, she worked at Campbell Soup Co., where she introduced new products, flavors and promotional and packaging programs that generated more than $200 million in annual revenue. She also worked at Mission Foods, where she led general and Hispanic marketing and developed a brand growth strategy for the tortilla chips lines, which achieved more than $120 million in incremental sales. Most recently, Poirier-Richards led a brand consulting practice that developed marketing strategies, brand positioning and brand plans for many clients, including Frito-Lay, Central Garden and Pet, Shell Oil and Samsung Mobile.

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS:

Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Bensenville, Ill.
Chris Barry, a 30-plus year veteran of the seafood industry, was named vice president of strategic sourcing and sales, working with new products, vendors and wholesale customers. Barry began his career with Seattle Fish in 1983. After moving to Chicago in 1986, he worked for Chicago Fish House. He spent the last 19 years working for H&N Foods and Ports Seafood.

Just Desserts, Oakland, Calif.
John Wohlgemuthwas appointed vice president of operations, responsible for the overall manufacturing efficiency, from supply chain management to supplier negotiations. Wohlgemuth brings 25 years’ experience in strategic sourcing and operations in the bakery sector. Previously, he worked with Otis Spunkmeyer, Rolling Pin Manufacturing and Safeway, Inc.Meanwhile, Leighton Mue was named vice president of finance, responsible for overseeing accounts payable and receivables and focusing on the company’s financial growth. He brings 14 years of corporate financial planning and analysis experience with Sun Microsystems, SunLink and 365 Main, and worked as a staff accountant with Ernst & Young.

FOODSERVICE:

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., Lakewood, Colo.
The producer of Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel brands appointed Frank Paci as president and CEO, effective Sept. 15, succeeding Michael Arthur who has filled the position on an interim basis since February. Paci maintains over 25 years of experience leading top retail brands, having most recently served as president and CEO at McAlister’s Deli since September 2010. Prior to McAlister’s, he was executive vice president and CFO at The Pantry, Inc., and has held various general management, finance and franchise sales positions with Pizza Hut and Burger King.

SUPPLIERS:

Triangle Package Machinery, Chicago
Ralph Hernandezwas named vice president of sales and marketing, replacing Bob Williams, who moved over to Axon earlier this year. Hernandez has a strong sales and marketing background with over 30 years of experience in various areas of the packaging machinery industry, including engineering, manufacturing and general management at companies such as Thiele Engineering Co., SWF Cos., BluePrint Automation and Schneider Packaging. He is also experienced in developing strategic plans and establishing domestic and international distribution networks.

Cambridge Engineered Solutions, Cambridge, Md.
Mike Truitt was promoted to international sales manager, responsible for overseeing strategies to increase efficiency, competitiveness and communication. Truitt has worked for Cambridge since May 2006. Meanwhile, Agustin Loya was promoted to general manager of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will continue to manage South American sales.

Seegrid Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jim Rock was appointed chief executive officer. Previously, Rock served as president of Vocollect Healthcare by Honeywell. He has a proven track record of leading and growing high-tech businesses in emerging markets for over 20 years. His executive portfolio includes founding and developing companies in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, IT software application solutions and consumer technology.

Kansas City Southern Railway Co., Kansas City, Mo.
L.E. “Eddie” Jameson was promoted to assistant vice president safety and standardization. Jameson has approximately 30 years of experience in the railroad industry, most of which has been with KCSR. He began his career as a brakeman, is a certified locomotive engineer and conductor and has progressive management experience in transportation, operating practices and safety. 

Coveris, Chicago
Lee Marks was appointed vice president, global operational excellence, responsible for facility planning, process improvement and operational quality and efficiency. Marks will work closely with each Coveris business unit and the leadership team to apply lean manufacturing principals to support organizational growth and drive customer satisfaction. Marks brings 30 years of leadership and manufacturing experience to Coveris, most recently serving as global vice president of operations and supply chain for Brady Corp. Prior to this position, he served as the regional vice president of operations – Americas with Brady Corp., and vice president of operations with Pentair, Inc. He also worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. as a strategic business consultant.

IN MEMORIUM: S. TRUETT CATHY, CHICK-FIL-A

S. Truett Cathy, founder and chairman emeritus of Chick-fil-A, Atlanta, passed away Sept. 8 at 93. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.

In 1946, Cathy built a tiny diner in Hapeville, Ga., which later developed into Chick-fil-A. Credited with pioneering in-mall fast food, today, Chick-fil-A is said to be one of the nation's largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain, reaching $5 billion in annual sales in 2013 and operating more than 1,800 restaurants in 40 states and Washington, D.C. 

Cathy's oldest son, Dan Cathy, became president in 2001 and chairman and CEO in 2013, while Truett Cathy continued in the role of chairman emeritus until his death.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette McNeil Cathy; sons Dan T. and Don "Bubba" Cathy; daughter Trudy Cathy White, as well as 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.