PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Pinnacle Foods Inc., Parsippany, N.J.
D. Michael Wittman was named executive vice president and chief supply chain officer, effective Nov. 2, replacing Tony Fernandez, who earlier this year announced his plans to retire in mid-2016. Wittman is currently vice president of supply chain for Mars Chocolate North America, responsible for leading the supply chain for the North American confectionery business since 2008. Prior to Mars, he spent over 25 years within the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, including leadership roles in J&J Consumer Companies and McNeil Consumer Products. 

Tampa Maid Foods, LLC, Lakeland, Fla.
Jeana Dailyjoined as new director of national accounts, responsible for the development and expansion of national accounts. Dailycomes from Stir Foods, and maintains over 20 years of experience in the foodservice and restaurant industry.

Decas Cranberry Products, Inc., Carver, Mass.
Michael McManama was appointed president and CEO, replacing Chuck Dillon, who is retired effective Sept. 28. McManama has held senior management, marketing, brand, product development, sales and trade management positions with HP Hood, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Papa Gino's/D'Angelo and most recently, The New England Coffee Co., a division of Reily Foods Inc. 

Tops Friendly Markets, Williamsville, N.Y.
Long-time Tops associate and executive John Persons was tapped as president and COO, responsible for overseeing all store operations in the company’s 3-state geographic footprint and all sales, marketing and merchandising operations. Persons has been with Tops for more than 30 years, most recently serving as executive vice president of sales, marketing and merchandising. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of retail operations from 2007-2014 and vice president of retail operations from 2000-2007. Frank Curci will continue to actively serve as chief executive officer and board chairman. Curci has served as president, CEO and director since December 2007 when Morgan Stanley Private Equity purchased Tops Friendly Markets from Koninklijke Ahold, N.V. (Ahold). He became chairman of the board of directors upon the 2013 management buyout, which returned Tops to local ownership. Under Curci’s leadership, Tops has more than doubled the number of stores to 165 full-service supermarkets, expanded its geographic reach into eastern and northern New York, Vermont and northern Pennsylvania, invested more than $200 million in store renovations and updates, and created gourmet retailer Orchard Fresh in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, Ark.
Steve Bratspies was appointed chief merchandising officer for U.S. stores, effective Oct. 19. Bratspies will oversee all merchandise categories across more than 4,500 stores in the United States. Most recently, Bratspies served as the executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S., where he overhauled the retailer’s grocery aisles with a focus on improving fresh offerings and expanding private brand and global sourcing capabilities. Bratspies joined the company in 2005, and has held several leadership positions in marketing, dry grocery and general merchandise. Prior to joining Walmart, Bratspies served as chief marketing officer for Specialty Brands, and has held roles in finance, new ventures and marketing at Frito-Lay and consulting positions with A.T. Kearney and Andersen Consulting. Meanwhile, Charles Redfield was named executive vice president of food. Redfield joined Sam’s Club in 1988 as a cashier and moved up the ranks to serve in several operational and merchandising leadership roles, including chief merchandising officer at Asda. Most recently, Redfield served as executive vice president of merchandising at Sam’s Club. In addition, John Furner will serve as executive vice president, merchandisingfor Sam’s Club. Furner was serving as chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China, driving significant improvements in buying leverage and reducing organizational complexity resulting in improved profitability and price leadership.

FOODSERVICE:
The Wendy's Co., Dublin, Ohio
President and CEO Emil Brolick announced plans to retire in May 2016, and is expected to be succeeded by current executive vice president, CFO and international Todd Penegor. Brolick has served in his role since September 2011, and previously spent 12 years with the company from 1988-2000 in various leadership roles. Penegor joined the company in June 2013 and has served in his current role since December 2014. Previously, he was senior vice president and CFO from September 2013 to December 2014. Prior to joining Wendy’s, Penegor worked at Kellogg Co., where he held several key leadership positions, including vice president, president of U.S. snacks from 2009 to June 2013, vice president and CFO of Kellogg Europe from 2007 to 2009 and vice president and CFO of Kellogg USA and Kellogg Snacks from 2002 to 2007. Prior to joining Kellogg, Penegor worked for 12 years at Ford Motor Co. in various positions, including strategy, mergers and acquisitions, the controller's office and treasury.

Starbucks Corp., Seattle, Wash.
Gerri Martin-Flickinger was appointed chief technology officer, effective Nov. 2, responsible for leading the global IT function and playing a key role in shaping the technology agenda across the Starbucks business. Most recently, she served as Adobe’s senior vice president and chief information officer, where she oversaw the company’s global information technology team and enabled Adobe’s transformation to a cloud-based business. Before joining Adobe, Martin-Flickinger was CIO of VeriSign, where she oversaw corporate information technology services for the company's 60 offices worldwide. She also served as CIO for Network Associates, Inc. and McAfee Associates, Inc., and held several senior systems roles at Chevron Corp., including serving as process consultant to Chevron's executive staff. Martin-Flickinger brings 30 years of experience leading large-scale global IT organizations for companies experiencing explosive growth through acquisition, global expansion and implementing new business models. Her expertise includes leading organizations through transformational change, connecting IT to the needs of the business and aligning IT costs.

SUPPLIERS:

TOMRA Sorting Solutions, Austria
Thomas Molnar was appointed global sales and marketing communications director for the food sorting business, tasked with overseeing all marketing communications and sales activity conducted worldwide. Molnar maintains a strong background in B2B international business development, having lived and worked in 12 countries across three continents in a variety of service sectors, including tobacco, logistics and information technology.

Kingspan Insulated Panels of North America, DeLand, Fla.
Brent Trengawas named director of sustainability and education, representing the company in Standards and Green Building Certification development, building and managing Kingspan’s internal and external education programs and supporting strategic planning for the business development group.Trenga isa former board member and chairman of the education committee for the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) chapter in South Carolina. He also spent six years with Neil Stevenson Architects, focused on urban design, environmental design in coastal environments, educational facilities and modular housing.

Akro-Mils, Akron, Ohio
David Hawkingwas named regional sales manager for the company’s Midwest sales territory. Hawking is an experienced sales management professional with a background in providing security-related products to the transportation, logistics and electric utility markets. Previously, he was national sales manager for North America at TydenBrooks, Inc., and held several sales positions at E.J. Brooks, Inc.