ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Organic Egg Farmers of America, Warsaw, Ind.
John Brunnquell, founder and president of Egg Innovations and the Blue Sky Family Farms brand, was elected president for the 2016-2017 year. His goal continues to be expanding awareness and knowledge about animal welfare, with a pursuit to move more farms in the United States to pasture raised or free range. Brunnquell has served as a board member for the last five years.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Allen Harim, Seaford, Del.
Michael Coleman was appointed new business development manager, responsible for overseeing the sales of Nature’s Sensation, the company’s no antibiotics ever signature product line. Coleman most recently served as director of sales and marketing at Wellshire Farms.
InRhythm, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Kit Dietz was named president of InfoRhythm, a wholly owned subsidiary that provides convenience industry-focused solutions for distributors, retailers and manufacturers. Most recently, Dietz worked for a private consulting firm that provided thought leadership and vision for major consumer package goods manufacturers, distributors, retailers and trade associations in the convenience industry. Dietz also served on the board of directors for Lorillard, Inc. from the time it went public through the sale to Reynold's American, Inc., in 2015. He has also served as the senior vice president of Willard Bishop Consulting, chairman of Tripifoods, Inc. and president of Spartan Stores’ convenience division. Dietz also spent the first 14 years of his professional career as an independent grocer.
Ingles Markets, Inc., Asheville, N.C.
Jim Lanning was appointed president and CEO. Lanning will retain his chairman of the board title, which he has held since 2004, and will continue his day-to-day active operational role. Lanning joined Ingles as a student in 1975, and has served as president of the company since 2003.
Lakeside Foods, Manitowoc, Wis.
President and CEO Dave Yanda announced his retirement, effective May 30. Glen Tellock, former chairman, president and CEO of the Mantiowoc Co., will take over. Yanda has worked for Lakeside Foods for 43 years in various sales and management roles, and has served as the company’s president and CEO since 2008. Under his leadership, Lakeside Foods received numerous industry and customer awards as a leader in the private label frozen vegetable industry. Yanda served as chair of the board of directors for the American Frozen Food Institute in 2014. Tellock has been with Manitowoc Co. 24 years.
Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn.
Roland Gentzler and James Schroeder announced plans to retire from their vice president of finance and treasurer and vice president of engineering posts, respectively. Gentzler began his career as an accountant at the Austin plant in 1976. In 1993, he became the accounting coordinator and the next year director of finance. In 2000, he became the director of refrigerated foods accounting, and then assistant controller and director of finance for refrigerated foods. He assumed his current role in 2007. Schroeder began his career in 1984 as an engineer in the mechanical division at the Fremont plant. In 1989, he became the supervisor of maintenance and engineering, and a year later, a plant engineer at the Beloit, Wis., plant. In 1994, he became the manager of plant engineering at the Austin Plant, and in 1998, became the manager of corporate engineering projects at the corporate office. In 1999, he became the manager of project and plant engineering and assumed his current role in 2009. As a result of these retirements, Gary Jamison will advance to vice president and treasurer, and Tyler Hulsebus will advance to vice president of engineering. Jamison began his career as an accountant at the Fremont plant in 1988, and later became the manager of production cost analysts and production costs. In 1997, he became a production manager and price administer in fresh pork at the corporate office. In 2000, he became the manager of expense analysis and control, and the next year became the manager of cost accounting for refrigerated foods. In 2003, he became the business unit controller for specialty foods, and in 2006, the vice president of finance at Farmer John in Vernon, Calif. He assumed his current role in 2012.Hulsebus began his career at Hormel Foods in 1997 as an associate maintenance engineer at the Austin plant. In 2000, he transferred to the corporate office as a staff engineer, and after a few months, relocated to Rochelle Foods to become a project engineer. In 2004, he returned to the Austin plant as the superintendent of plant engineering. In July 2006, he transferred to the corporate office as the corporate coordinator of reliability improvement, and was promoted in 2009 to the corporate manager of plant engineering and reliability. In 2011, he became manager of plant engineering, and assumed his current role in 2013. Meanwhile, James Sheehan was promoted to vice president and chief accounting officer. Sheehan began his career in 1978 as an accountant at the Fremont plant. The same year, he moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and became the manager of data processing, billing and invoices. Two years later, he became the manager of general accounting and claims in Fort Dodge. In 1988, he became the corporate credit manager at the corporate office, and in 1996, became the corporate manager of credit and claims. In 1998, he became the president of Hormel Financial Services, and a year later was named treasurer. He assumed his current role in 2000. And, Jana Haynes will advance to vice president and controller. Haynes joined Hormel Foods in 1994 as an accountant at the Austin plant, and subsequently served in several accounting manager positions for various Hormel plants. Haynes also served as business unit account manager for Koch Industries from 1997-2000. Haynes assumed the role of director of taxes in 2007, and her current role in 2013. All advancements are effective May 30.
Sargento Foods Inc., Plymouth, Wis.
Christina Becht joined as national customer business manager West, responsible for driving results by establishing and strengthening customer relationships to support the achievement of corporate strategies and objectives. She will oversee regional customers in the western part of the country, including Winco, Stater Bros, Raley's, Save Mart and Unified Grocers. Prior to joining Sargento, Becht worked at The Kraft Heinz Co. and progressed through many roles, including direct store delivery retail, logistics supervisor, customer retail manager, food service lead and customer category manager. She was also responsible for developing a Hispanic program for Unified Grocers, and utilizing insights to drive sales across the Southern California independent stores. John Stanwood joined as senior marketing manager of alternate channels, tasked with developing and executing strategies and new products in alternate retail channels, including club, convenience stores, value and e-commerce. Previously, Stanwood worked with top brands at ConAgra Foods and Kimberly-Clark Corp., and has led strategic planning and execution, developed brand campaigns and consistently improved financial performance. Lastly, Matthew Brisley was named customer merchandising manager, responsible for leading the Kroger sales team to achieve sales objectives and support strategic planning and execution. Additionally, he will be responsible for training, developing and maintaining retail relationships. Before joining Sargento Foods, Brisley worked as merchandising manager for PepsiCo. in the Dayton, Ohio, market, where he managed retail merchandising, sales attainment, training and team oversight. He also served as a bulk customer representative, where he serviced large format accounts, including Kroger, Wal-Mart and Target.
Dawn Food Products, Inc., Jackson, Mich.
Carrie Jones-Barber and Serhat Unsal were named to the newly created co-CEO roles. Together, Jones-Barber and Unsal boast more than four decades of global leadership experience, building highly accomplished teams that deliver growth through innovation and exceptional service. Jones-Barber became chief executive officer of Dawn Food Products in 2006, responsible for developing an effective business strategy that delivered growth and profitability in Dawn’s international operations. Jones-Barber’s past experience with Dawn also includes a role as business development manager for Dawn Foods UK Ltd., where she helped secure business opportunities in the U.K. and Europe. After achieving leadership roles during his 18-year tenure with Unilever, Unsal joined Dawn in early 2011.Unsal was previously president of Dawn Foods International from 2011-2016, where he led the company’s global growth in Africa, Middle East, Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Unsal was also an essential source of leadership and experience during the company’s acquisition and integration of a major high-quality, premium bakery ingredient supplier.
FOODSERVICE:
Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., Canton, Mass.
The parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins promoted David Gill to vice president, supply chain U.S. and Canada, responsible for supply, including the negotiation, implementation and management of supplier and distributor agreements, quality assurance, commercialization, manufacturing and equipment. Additionally, he will lead the supplier approval process and play a key role in the development of new products for the restaurants. Gill joined Dunkin' Brands in 2000. Pete Jensen was promoted to vice president, supply chain international, tasked with leading the international manufacturing and sourcing, logistics and service, regulatory compliance, supplier quality and food safety, new product commercialization and in-store equipment innovation for both Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins. Jensen joined the company in 2010 as global supply chain director for Baskin-Robbins. Sherrill Kaplan was promoted to vice president, digital marketing and innovation for Dunkin' Donuts U.S. Kaplan joined Dunkin' Brands nearly five years ago, and has played a lead role in the development and execution of the brand's digital strategy and the DD Perks rewards program. She also oversaw the growth of the Dunkin' Mobile app and the brand's on-the-go ordering initiative, currently in test in multiple markets. Dennis McCarthy was promoted to vice president, financial management, leading the international financial management team for Dunkin' Brands. He also oversees the Dunkin' Brands supply chain finance team and serves as head of corporate financial planning and analysis. He joined the company in 2009. Kathryn Thomas was promoted to vice president, legal and managing counsel, responsible for overseeing employment, marketing and intellectual property law, in addition to serving as legal counsel for Baskin-Robbins U.S. and market counsel for Dunkin' Donuts in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. She joined the company in 1998.
Captain D's LLC, Nashville, Tenn.
Keith Davis joined as chief financial officer, responsible for the development and execution of financial strategies to support the company's business plans, while also leading the finance and information technology departments. An industry veteran, Davis maintains extensive experience leading the financial and operational divisions of several national foodservice companies, including Round Table Pizza, Beverly Enterprises, Landry's Seafood Restaurant and Pizza Hut. Most recently, he served as the chief financial officer of Tavistock Restaurants, overseeing the financial strategies for the company's 130 fast casual and upscale restaurants.
Rave Restaurant Group, Inc., Dallas, Texas
Kim Johnston was hired as the new vice president of human resources, responsible for leading all aspects of global human resources and working with the senior leadership team to develop talent strategies that set new benchmarks and engage employees for Pizza Inn and Pie Five Pizza. Johnston joins Rave after nearly 10 years at Starbucks Coffee Co., most recently as director of human resources supporting the U.S. retail business. She also led human resources field operations and enterprise teams and developed talent strategies in both the transformational and high growth years. Johnston was a key driver in growth of 7,000-plus Starbucks stores, and was instrumental in creating the in-store employee experience while positioning Starbucks as an employer of choice. Prior to Starbucks, Johnston spent seven years with West Corp., leading HR teams and functions in both field and enterprise capacities. She has also held leadership roles at Target Stores and Barnes & Noble.
SUPPLIERS:
Bluff Manufacturing, Fort Worth, Texas
Joe Howeth will serve as regional sales manager - South and West. Howeth was most recently a national delivery systems sales manager and business development manager with Magline, Inc., where he brought in $5 million-plus total delivery system revenue. He also spearheaded the establishment of a new sales division for Magline, Inc, which now represents 25% of total revenue. Howeth's previous experience includes sales management positions with President Baking/Keebler Cookies and Pepsi Bottling Group. Meanwhile, Charlie Wood will serve as regional sales manager - Midwest and Canada. With more than 15 years’ experience in sales, Wood was most recently a national sales manager with Sentry Protection Products, where he increased product sales over 30% in the United States and over 34% overall in North America.
Seizmic, Inc., Covina, Calif.
Jeff Woroniecki was appointed president, responsible for overseeing overall operations of the material handling engineering firm. Woroniecki most recently served as chief operating officer at MHI. He maintains over 25 years of material handling industry experience, including previous roles at MHI member companies UNARCO Material Handling and Interlake Mecalux.
JBT Corp., Chicago
Debarshi Sengupta was named executive vice president, corporate development, effective April 1, and will continue to lead JBT's efforts in investor relations and financial planning and analysis. Sengupta joined JBT in 2009 as a business planner. He also assumed the corporate development portfolio in 2014 as vice president, corporate development and investor relations. Prior to JBT, Sengupta worked as a consumer and retail investment banker at Banc of America Securities.
