Dean Foods’ CFO to depart, IRTA elects new officers and more
ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), Eagle, Idaho
Produce industry veteran Dave Rhodes joined as retail promotion director-Northeast, replacing Ken Tubman, who is retiring. Rhodes will work with retail produce managers in the northeastern United States and Canada to help drive sales of Idaho potatoes through marketing and promotions, competitive research and point-of-sale materials and representing the Idaho potato brand at retail industry tradeshows. Rhodes maintains more than 40 years in the produce industry, starting as a store-level produce manager after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. His experience includes working as director of produce for a Northern Michigan supermarket chain, vegetable category manager for a Midwestern distributor and produce category manager for Marsh Supermarkets.
National Grocers Association (NGA), Arlington, Va. Christopher Jones, former legislative director, counsel for U.S. Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR) and a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Nutrition Subcommittee, was named vice president of government relations, where he will oversee the trade association’s team of lobbyists and manage a portfolio of issues, including agriculture, nutrition and regulatory reform. Jones joined Congressman Crawford’s staff in 2010 as a staff assistant, and has held senior roles since 2011. In 2014, he served as NGA’s senior manager of government affairs before returning to Crawford’s office. During his time on Capitol Hill, Jones led a team of legislative aides, directed the activities of two subcommittees that Congressman Crawford chaired and helped craft the 2014 Farm Bill.
Canadian Beef Grading Agency (CBGA), Canada Marty Carpenter was named president, effective immediately, replacing Dennis Laycraft, who has served as acting president since January. Carpenter brings a wealth of beef industry experience. During the past 25 years, he has held roles with the Alberta Beef Producers, Beef Information Centre and Canada Beef, where he dealt with domestic and export clients and the technical elements of the Canadian beef grading system. While at Canada Beef, Carpenter oversaw the development and creation of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. Also beneficial are Carpenter’s roots in the foodservice industry, including time as a former certified Chef de Cuisine and as a member of the Alberta Food Processors Board of Directors.