ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
EAS Consulting Group, LLC, Alexandria, Va.
Domenic Veneziano was named new independent advisor for import operations, providing assistance to companies seeking to develop strategies for the prevention of adulterated products and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and supporting the development of policies and procedures that meet FDA's stringent standards. Veneziano is a veteran FDA specialist with over 24 years of agency experience. While at FDA, he was a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service, most recently serving as director of the FDA's division of import operations, overseeing all aspects of FDA's import operations program. During his tenure at FDA, Veneziano also served as the co-lead in the development of FSMA import regulations, and was a senior advisor on the implementation of FSMA and the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

MHI, Charlotte, N.C.
Brian Reaves was appointed executive vice president. Reaves brings over 25 years of material handling industry experience, most recently as the founder and CEO of Integrated Warehouse Systems (IWS), where he created and developed an extensive portfolio of material handling solutions across the United States. In addition to his role as a business owner, he served as Mayor for the Village of Lemont, Ill. He was elected in 2009, and served as a village trustee for six years previous.

International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA), Madison, Wis.
Jewel Hunt, group vice president bakery, Albertsons Cos., was elected as the association’s chairman of the board. She has served on the board of directors since 2010. John Cheesman, vice president business development, Clyde’s Donuts, will continue to serve as past chairman. Other new officers for 2016-2017 include Erik Waterkotte, senior director of sales, Columbus Craft Meats, as executive vice chairman; Rick Findlay, global executive coordinator of grocery, Whole Foods Market, as vice chairman; and Gaetano Auricchio, executive vice president, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., as treasurer. Also appointed to the board of directors are Carter Califri, general manager of sales and marketing, Norseland Inc.; Dominique Delugeau, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Saputo Specialty Cheese; and Carmela Serebryany-Harris, president of Upper Crust Ltd. Industry leaders elected to serve 3-year terms are Findlay, Hunt, Curt Coolidge, vice president of in-store bakery, TreeHouse Foods, Inc.; Linda Duwve, vice president sales and marketing, Emmi Roth USA, Inc.; Ray Lippert, vice president of sales, business development for DecoPac, Inc.; and Joe Squires, customer marketing director, Land O’Lakes Inc.

International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), McLean, Va.
Brian Lynch joins as vice president industry relations, effective Oct. 12. Lynch comes from the National Grocers Association, where he served as vice president, membership, business and industry development.

United Fresh Start Foundation, part of the United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C.
Steven Titlebaum was appointed director of development, effective Sept. 23, responsible for directing all fundraising efforts to help the foundation expand on its mission to increase children’s access to fresh produce. Titlebaum brings more than two decades of non-profit management experience, including vast development expertise with local and national non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the foundation, he was the director of development at Gallaudet University, where he worked with major donors and developed funding strategies for special university projects. Prior to his time at Gallaudet, Titlebaum was the director of resource development for Capital Caring, where he managed corporate giving and created a Corporate Advisory Group. In addition, he has served on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals DC Chapter and on its Executive Committee as vice president of membership. 

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Jennie-O Turkey Store, division of Hormel Foods, Willmar, Minn.
Barry Lynch, senior vice president of the retail division, announced his retirement, effective January 2017. As a result, Charles (Chuck) Meath, vice president of the deli division, will advance to senior vice president of the retail division, effective Oct. 31. Jennifer Johnson, director of sales and marketing for deli for Hormel Foods, will advance to vice president of the deli division, also effective Oct. 31. Lynch began his career with Jennie-O Turkey Store in 1990 as a regional sales manager. He became the director sales East in 1994 and national accounts director in 1997. In 2002, he assumed the role of vice president of sales – retail business unit, and was senior vice president of sales and marketing for Hormel’s Farmer John’s subsidiary from 2007-2011. Meath began his career with Jennie-O Turkey Store in 1990 as the assistant commodity sales manager, and subsequently became commodity sales manager, director of commodity sales, director of commodity and international sales, vice president of industrial, international and commodity sales, vice president of branded whole turkeys and vice president of retail and commodity sales. In 2015, he moved into his current role as the vice president of the deli division. Johnson started with Hormel Foods in May 1994, holding positions in front line sales, sales management and trade management. She was also national category sales manager for grocery products brands and brand manager (BLACK LABEL Bacon and CURE 81 Ham) before advancing to director of marketing of the deli brands. She then advanced to director of sales and marketing for deli in April.

Ahold Delhaize, The Netherlands
Kevin Holt, currently chief executive officer, will become chief operating officer, taking over for James McCann, who announced his resignation to move out of full-time executive work and into a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles. McCann joined Ahold in September 2011 as chief commercial officer, taking over COO responsibilities in 2013. After the merger between Ahold and Delhaize Group in July, he became member of the Ahold Delhaize management board and continued his leadership role at Ahold USA. McCann drove the company’s e-commerce strategy and transformation of Ahold USA, supporting the Stop & Shop New York, Stop & Shop New England, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Martin's and Peapod brands. Holt’s role will include the Food Lion and Hannaford brands.

Category Partners, LLC, Aurora, Colo.
Adam Brohimer was promoted to president. Prior to joining Category Partners last year, Brohimer spent more than a dozen years in the produce industry helping clients launch, build and optimize their category management and research initiatives.

Vanguard International, Issaquah, Wash.
Manuel Yzaga will serve as general manager. Previously, Yzaga served as a consultant in Peru for Sun World, responsible for introducing its proprietary varieties to Peruvian growers. Yzaga also helped others manage their plantings, farming operations, site selections, water well design and drilling, varietal selections, soil preparation, planting, growing, harvesting, packing, cold storage and sales coordination. In addition, he has held general manager and director positions with various Peruvian agribusiness entities, where he gained general management, business planning, accounting, financial and tax skills. Meanwhile, Jaime Modonese was appointed manager of finance and administration. Modonese joins Vanguard with years of produce experience. Modonese has served as finance and administration manager for Don Fermin for the past eight years, responsible for the company’s financial management and IT systems, and overseeing Don Fermin’s labor force, as well as representing them at the board level at Fruchincha, the Peruvian Association of Avocado Exports (PROHASS) and industry conventions. Darío Nuñez will continue as vice president of farming operations.

Emmi Roth USA, Fitchburg, Wis.
Mary Sagona was appointed director of finance, effective Oct. 1. Sagona joined Emmi Roth USA as senior controller in April 2015. Previous to that, she was controller for American Construction Metals (ACM) from October 2012 to April 2015. Prior to ACM, Sagona was financial reporting manager for Mylan Institutional from February 2004 to October 2012.

Giumarra Cos., Los Angeles
Matthew Moore was named Southeast sales and operations manager. Previously, Moore worked for the Giumarra International Berry division, managing East Coast operations and transportation.

SUPPLIERS:
Ashworth Bros., Inc., Winchester, Va.
Jason Van Meter and Brandon Leslie joined the U.S. sales team. Van Meter comes with 7 years’ sales/service experience in industrial automation equipment and controls systems, while Leslie comes with 6 years’ experience selling electron microscopes to the steel, automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, Kan.
Steven Peiffer was appointed chief financial officer, overseeing financial reporting, budgets, accounting and human resources for all four Bunting Magnetics divisions. Peiffer brings more than 10 years of experience, including in accounting, finance, analysis and acquisitions. Most recently, he was senior manager, assurance services at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, where he excelled in providing guidance to companies to minimize financial risk and better manage financial resources.

The World Group, Hillsboro, Ore.
Ernie Ferguson, vice president of sales for MTC Logistics, was elected president. Other officers elected include Jim Henderson, vice president of sales and marketing for NOCS, as vice president; Stan Bigford, chief financial officer of Trenton Cold Storage, as secretary; and Ron Buford, president of Premier Refrigerated Warehouse, as treasurer.

Znergy, Inc., Tampa, Fla.
Dave Baker was hired as senior vice president, responsible for overseeing all sales and marketing as well as installations. Baker maintains an extensive background in sales, marketing, business organization and new business development. 

Brambles Ltd., Sydney, Australia
Nessa O’Sullivan was named chief financial officer, effective Nov. 17, taking over for Zlatko Todorcevski, who announced his retirement on Feb. 22. Most recently, she spent 10 years with Coca-Cola Amatil, serving as group chief financial officer from 2010-2015. Prior to that, she held several senior management positions with PepsiCo and Yum! Restaurants International.

Envysion, Superior, Colo.
Julie Gannon was named vice president of operations, responsible for overseeing the company’s Path to Success initiative. Gannon brings nearly 20 years of experience in operational management, with a strong history of executive business development and general business management. Previously, she served as co-founder and managing director of Springbox Ventures. Before Springbox, Gannon owned and operated an independent consulting business, providing services for mid-cap companies in healthcare and aviation industries. Her prior roles also include chief financial officer at Zayo Enterprise Networks, senior vice president of human resources/chief of staff at Cervantes Capital and chief of staff at Level 3 Communications.