ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
PMMI, Reston, Va.
Laura Thompson was promoted to vice president, tradeshows, responsible for PMMI’s show department, all aspects of the tradeshows, serving as staff liaison for the show committee and managing PACK EXPO services. Thompson began her PMMI career 20 years ago as a receptionist, fresh out of college. She then went on to become international expositions coordinator in global marketing, organizing international pavilions for PMMI members at both PMMI and non-PMMI events. When PMMI took over sole ownership of EXPO PACK México, Thompson moved back into the show department, managing the PMMI Pavilion and all show operations. She was then promoted to director of tradeshow operations, responsible for all operations in the PACK EXPO portfolio, and was then promoted to her current position of senior director, expositions, where she was responsible for the operations of all PACK EXPO events in the United States and Mexico, and helped lead the launch of EXPO PACK Guadalajara, PACK EXPO East and ProFood Tech.

International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), Arlington, Va.
The arm of the Global Cold Chain Alliance elected Andrew Janson, president of MTC Logistics, as the 2019-2020 IARW chairman of the board of directors. Other new IARW officers elected for the coming year were Ron Buford, president and CEO of Premier Refrigerated Warehouse, as vice chairman; and Manuel Kabana, director of Friopuerto Investment, as treasurer. New directors-at-large members elected to serve 3-year terms include Piet Meijs, vice president business development, NewCold, and Tim Siddiq, president and CEO of Merchandise Warehouse. Regional representatives include new board member Tim Ludwig, president of Bradner Cold Storage, representing the Pacific region, while Tony Leo, president and CEO, RLS Logistics, was re-elected to represent the North Atlantic region. Don Dick, owner and CEO of Dick Cold Storage, was elected as the 2019-2020 chairman of the WFLO board of governors. Other new WFLO officers elected were Brian Beazer, general manager and CEO of Winchester Cold Storage, as vice chairman; and Dan Kaplan, chief executive officer, Cloverleaf Cold Storage, as treasurer. New board members elected to serve 3-year terms on the WFLO board include Justin Chan, global product manager, trade and financial supply chain for VX Cold Chain Logistics; Ken Whah, president and CEO, Hanson Logistics; and Jeroen Tempels, managing director, Eurofrigo.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB), Centennial, Colo.
Gregory Hanes was named new chief executive officer, effective June 17. Hanes previously served as vice president of international marketing programs for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), where he led the marketing team through global strategic planning processes. Hanes also served as the USMEF liaison to the beef industry, and worked with a variety of national and state beef organizations. From 2006-2009, he was the director of the USMEF’s Tokyo-based office, where he was responsible for all activities occurring in Japan. Hanes currently serves as the chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC).

PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
Rich Products, Buffalo, N.Y.
Ted Rich was named to the newly created role of executive vice president, organizational excellence, charged with building strategic capabilities and associate competencies, as well as driving associate and leadership development to strengthen company culture overall. Rich will also lead digital workplace advancement efforts. He most recently served as senior vice president, customer experience officer, where he led global sales, brand marketing and culinary functions, as well as critical demand creation activities across the world. Under his leadership, the company introduced a refreshed Rich’s brand identity in 2018. He joined the family business in 1995, working for the Buffalo Bisons, a Rich’s-owned minor league baseball team. In 1998, he moved to the food side of the business working in U.S. foodservice sales. He went on to serve in progressive marketing and leadership roles throughout the company’s global footprint, including managing director of Rich’s Europe/Middle East business from 2009-2012. He also serves as the vice chair of the Advancement Committee on the Culinary Institute of America’s board of directors. Nick Stambula will serve as senior vice president of category business units, where he will focus on category growth, innovation and portfolio management for toppings, creams and culinary solutions, pizza, desserts, bakery and protein, as well as drive the company’s mergers and acquisitions efforts. Stambula is a 25-year veteran of Rich’s. He joined Rich’s in 1987, and has served in leadership roles for in-store bakery division and new product development. He also previously worked at McCain Foods. John Wellenzohn joined as senior vice president of in-store bakery and deli direct chains, where he will drive innovation at scale, with a greater emphasis on speed-to-market. Wellenzohn has worked at Rich’s for more than four decades, and currently serves on the board of directors for the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA). Jamie McKeon was promoted to senior vice president of demand creation, responsible for accelerating Rich’s position as a leading innovator and solutions provider within the food industry, including strategy development, breakthrough innovation, digital customer engagement, analytics, research and insight for Rich’s U.S. and Canada region. McKeon joined Rich’s in 1997, previously serving as vice president of marketing for both Rich’s foodservice and consumer brands divisions. Prior to Rich’s, she spent 10 years at Georgia-Pacific, is a board member of Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) and serves on the boards of the Niagara University Food Marketing Advisory and the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. Jim Motos was promoted to senior vice president, consumer brands division, where he will oversee both SeaPak and Farm Rich brands. Motos joined Rich’s in 2006 from Hormel Foods, starting as a national account manager for major national grocery and club store retailers, and then transitioning into leading the upstart customer insights team for consumer brands. He was named vice president of sales in 2016, and promoted to vice president of consumer brands the following year. Motos is active on a variety of boards and community organizations, including the National Fisheries Institute Board of Directors, Enactus US Executive Committee, National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association board of directors and Seafood Nutrition Partnership board of directors. Kevin Spratt was promoted to senior vice president of Rich’s foodservice division, where he will lead and drive accelerated performance by building optimal go-to market strategies, advanced talent capabilities and robust execution plans that drive advanced customer performance and satisfaction. Spratt has held various sales and marketing leadership roles during his 18 years at Rich’s, including vice president of sales and business development with Rich Products of Canada, where he focused on the foodservice, in-store bakery and industrial channels. He also serves on the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Education Foundation’s People Future 2025 committee. Scott Retelny was promoted to senior vice president of Rich’s in-store bakery and deli and ingredients divisions, where he will lead the organization’s sales and marketing efforts for in-store bakery and deli across Rich’s wholesale distribution and industrial customer channels. Retelny most recently served as vice president of ingredients. Previously, he spent more than 14 years as baking category director with Maple Leaf Bakery, where he led national grocery and club store teams.

Integrated Fresh Solutions, Swedesboro, N.J.
Bob Harper was promoted to chief operating officer, where he will oversee the operations of the multiple produce and transportation offices by supporting strategic plans in place, maximizing sales efforts and reducing inefficiencies. Harper maintains extensive experience with produce programs for Fresh-Link’s growers as well as transportation commitments for Kool Logistics’ carriers. Harper started with IFS in 2017 as general manager for Fresh-Link’s tomato division based. In the fall of 2018, his role expanded to the management of Fresh-Link West.

PUBLIX, Lakeland, Fla.
Jennifer Jenkins was elected to the board of directors. Jenkins is clinical professor of law and director of the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University Law School, where she has worked since 2002. Prior to joining Duke, she was a legal associate at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton from 2000-2002. Meanwhile, Barney Barnett, Jane Finley and Charlie Jenkins Jr. retired from the board. Barnett has served on the board for 34 years, Finley has served for 10 years and Jenkins Jr. has served on the board for 45 years.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Ontario, Calif.
The producer of the Simply Fresh brand added Kate Brooks as vice president sales East, responsible for developing strategic sales plans and programs in collaboration with customer partners and promoting revenue growth. Brooks maintains over 14 years’ experience as a solutions provider within the fresh, value-added category. She most recently served as director of prepared foods for Renaissance Food Group, where she led all prepared foods strategy development, account management and program design. Prior to that, she was director of business development for Taylor Farms, where she drove significant revenue growth.

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Lake Success, N.Y.
Jerry Wolfe was hired as chief supply chain officer, responsible for leading the company's supply chain organization, including supply chain planning, logistics, contract management, continuous improvement, plant operations and procurement. Wolfe maintains over 30 years of supply chain leadership experience, including executive level supply chain roles with McCormick & Co. and Ernst & Young.

Newman's Own, Inc., Westport, Conn.
Joseph Tripodi was elected to the board of directors. Tripodi maintains more than 30 years of experience in marketing, customer, commercial and general management leadership, with a background as chief marketing officer for global brands, such as Subway, Coca-Cola and MasterCard. Throughout his career, he was responsible for developing and launching numerous products, services and advertising and sponsorship campaigns. Last year, Tripodi retired as chief marketing officer at Subway, a position he held since 2016. At Subway, he was primarily focused on the stewardship of the Subway brand globally, innovation/R&D, corporate social responsibility, public relations, food safety and quality, Subway digital and advertising and communications. Prior to Subway, Tripodi was chief marketing and commercial officer of The Coca-Cola Co. from 2007-2014. He also held chief marketing officer positions at Allstate Insurance, The Bank of New York and Seagram's Spirits & Wine Group. From 1989—1999, he served as executive vice president, global marketing, products and services for MasterCard.

Golden State Foods (GSF), Irvine, Calif.
Brian Dick was promoted to corporate senior vice president and president, global manufacturing, where he will lead the strategy and oversight of all global liquid products, dairy, protein and produce operations worldwide. He previously served as corporate senior vice president and president, global liquid products. Dr. Wayne Morgan was promoted to corporate vice president and president, protein and sustainability, where he will continue with his responsibilities for protein processing operations, while leveraging his sustainability expertise in the beef industry. Previously, he served as corporate vice president and president, protein group. Bob Wolpert will move into the role of corporate senior vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer, partnering with all company leaders to help champion thought leadership, innovation and strategic planning. He will also continue to spearhead the company's collaboration with IBM on blockchain, Internet of Things and other digital innovations. Before, he was corporate senior vice president and president, logistics. Ryan Hammer will take on additional responsibilities, including the leadership of all of logistics, including quality custom distribution, central freight management, Centralized Leasing Corp. and other strategic logistics initiatives. He previously served as corporate vice president and president, logistics group. And, Ed Rodriguez was promoted to corporate senior vice president and chief human resources officer, overseeing GSF's associate structure, development and succession planning to align with and support company and customer strategies and perpetuate GSF's culture. Before, he was corporate vice president and chief human resources officer.

Butterfly, Los Angeles
Jeff Dunn, operating partner, will assume the role of chief executive officer of Bolthouse Farms, following the recent acquisition. Dunn previously served as president and CEO of Bolthouse Farms from 2008-2012, when it was acquired by Campbell Soup in 2012. He continued leading the business for Campbell Soup until his departure from the company in 2016.

SUPPLIERS:
JBT Corp., Chicago
Barbara Brasier and Emmanuel Lagarrigue were elected to the board of directors, effective April 15. Brasier previously served as chief financial officer for a public company, and maintains expertise managing complex mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions and leading ERP implementations in the global food industry. She is former senior vice president and CFO of Herc Holdings, Inc. (formerly Hertz Global Holdings), and served as a senior finance executive with Mondelez, Kraft Foods, Ingersoll Rand and MeadWestvaco. Lagarrigue maintains extensive experience in automation across the industrial and technology sectors. He is executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Schneider Electric, after serving as president. He is also the architect of Schneider's growth agenda and merger and acquisitions strategy. Also, Edward (Ted) Doheny II will not stand for re-election upon expiration of his term in May, following his being named president and CEO of Sealed Air Corp. in 2018. 

Logistyx Technologies, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Doug Miller was promoted to senior vice president of North American sales; Michel van Wijngaarden was promoted to senior vice president of international operations; Jeff Skaistis was promoted to senior vice president of global product development; Jeff Lomax was promoted to vice president of product management; and Mike Eisner was promoted to vice president of business intelligence. Meanwhile, Aimee Tierney was named vice president sales, account/program management. Tierney has worked with IBM and Oracle. David Hogg joined as vice president of strategic business. Hogg previously served at Infor, and before that, at IBM. And, Richard Palmer was appointed director of small business and hardware. Palmer previously worked at MetaPack Group.

DowDuPont, Wilmington, Del.
The new board of directors include Frank Clyburn, chief commercial officer at Merck & Co., Inc.; Terrence Curtin, chief executive officer of TE Connectivity; and Frederick Lowery, senior vice president and president, Life Sciences Solutions and Laboratory Products at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Clyburn is responsible for operations and P&L across Merck's human health commercial portfolio globally. He previously held various senior leadership positions within the company, most recently serving as president of global oncology from 2013-2018. He joined Merck in 2008, following 8 years as vice president of various business units at Sanofi-Aventis S.A. (now Sanofi). Earlier in his career, Clyburn served in a wide range of commercial roles of increasing responsibility at Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc. (now part of Sanofi) from 1994-2000. He started his career at Marion Merrell Dow Inc., where he worked from 1987-1994. Prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2017, Curtin served as TE's president, where he was responsible for the company's businesses and mergers and acquisition activities. He joined TE Connectivity in 2001, and has held various senior positions within the company, including chief financial officer. Prior to TE Connectivity, Curtin held positions of increasing responsibility at Arthur Andersen LLP from 1990-2001, and has served as a director of the board of TE Connectivity since 2016. Lowery leads Thermo Fisher Scientific’s bioproduction, laboratory products and laboratory chemicals businesses, as well as several functions within life sciences solutions. Since joining the company in 2005, he has held a number of senior leadership positions across businesses. Prior to his time at Thermo Fisher, Lowery was with Maytag Corp. from 1999-2005. He began his career as an engineer at General Motors Co., where he worked from 1994-1999.

Merit Logistics, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Shawn Smith was hired as new director of operations to refine and maintain consistent standard operating procedures throughout the East coast operations. Smith maintains over 20 years of warehouse and logistics experience. From 1999-2011, Smith was owner of National Freight Handlers, which he sold in 2011, and stayed on for an additional 8 years to help in recoveries of failing sites, start-ups and special projects.

Coherix, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Christopher Pruette was named finance director. Pruette was an early investor and financial consultant of the company, and maintains experience in financial markets, digital assets and online capital formation. He also played an instrumental role in growing Egan-Jones Ratings Co.

Cargo Transporters, Inc., Claremont, N.C.
Dennis Dellinger was promoted to newly created position of president and CEO. Dellinger has been serving the company in various capacities for the past 30 years, including president, vice President, director of operations, fleet leader, and more. He also serves on the board of directors, is a past chairman for the North Carolina Trucking Association, is first vice chairman for Truckload Carriers Association, serves as vice president at large on the board of directors and vice chair of the Safety Policy Committee for the American Trucking Associations and sits on the Advisory Board of The Trucking Alliance. Jerry Sigmon, Jr. is now chief operating officer. Sigmon, Jr. joined the team in 2000, responsible for the day-to-day operations, including staff, equipment and operating systems within operations, recruiting, customer service and logistics. He also serves on the board of directors for The North Carolina Trucking Association, where he currently holds the office of chairman. Adam Heavner assumed the role of vice president of sales. Heavner began his career with Cargo in July 2008, responsible for accounts receivables, pricing, rating and billing. Jerry Sigmon, Sr. will continue in his role of executive vice president, responsible for general operation analytics, strategic planning, budgets, models and macro pricing. Sigmon, Sr. began his career with Cargo in 1982 as the company's first manager of operations. 

CBRE, Radnor, Pa.
Retail specialist and 31-year industry veteran Ken Bleznak joined as executive vice president to focus on tenant representation and consulting services both nationwide and in the greater Philadelphia region. Previously, he founded Atlantic Real Estate Group, where he has served as president since 2002. Before that, Bleznak worked at several large firms, including Jackson-Cross (Insignia/ESG), Metro Commercial and Colliers, and has helped to design and execute many of his clients’ trade area and site analytics as well as multi-market expansion programs. Throughout his career, Bleznak has represented Whole Foods, CVS, Wawa, BJ’s Restaurant Group, California Pizza Kitchen, Redstone American Grill, Lululemon, Dave & Buster’s, A.C. Moore and Citizens Bank, among others, and has worked with national and local landlords as a broker and consultant to redevelop and reposition assets for optimal tenant mix and value. Also, Leah Stearns will join as chief financial officer, effective May 15, where she will oversee CBRE’s global finance and accounting organization, including tax, treasury, balance sheet management, financial planning and analytics and investor relations. Previously, she was senior vice president and CFO for American Tower Corp.’s U.S. division since 2001.

IN MEMORIUM: DAVID AND JEAN WARREN, CENTRAL AMERICAN PRODUCE

David and Jean Warren, founders of Central American Produce, Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., passed away  April 15 and April 7, respectively.

The couple founded the company in 1976, developing and increasing produce imports from Central America. David, who helped pioneer Guatemala’s melon and vegetable exporting industries, provided growers with technical knowledge used to successfully grow, pack and ship their crops.

“The qualities that my father and mother had that made them successful were resilience, persistence and passion,” says Michael Warren, the couple’s son and president of the company. “They demonstrated this daily in business and personal life. My dad would quote my grandfather to live by the golden rule. ‘Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.’ He had a recipe for life, and he shared it with my mother and the family. The secrets for longevity I observed through my father’s daily routines was to stay connected to family, eat nutritional foods and exercise regularly. And, short phone calls weekly to family and friends just to catch up on what was new and how they were doing. He would eat large volumes of fruits and vegetables all day long – for nutrition to keep the body strong and with a younger look than the years could ever reflect. He generally cared about each and every person, that they would have opportunities to better their lives for the future. Both my parents assisted many people in start-up businesses, educational pursuits and just to help out others with their general needs. Thousands of workers throughout the Americas depend on agriculture to raise families. This was always a driving factor for our own farms as well as working with others. Then there was quality. If it cost another $200 an acre to produce a better product then what was that? Twenty-five cents a box to have a better product. He had to give customers the best product. He was a mentor to man and a tormentor to a few, as he always pushed excellence in every pursuit. That was the bar he set and continually raised higher and higher.”

David and Jean Warren are survived by four children—Wendy Warren (Jim Calvert), Jody Miller, Susan (Tom) Drake and Michael (Janice) Warren, as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

IN MEMORIUM: JASON DONALDSON, ZESPRI

Jason Donaldson, operations manager for the Americas for Zespri, Newport Beach, Calif., unexpectedly passed away March 22, while on a business trip overseas.

Prior to joining Zespri, Donaldson spent over 20 years in operations management in a variety of food and beverage categories ranging from carbonated beverages to sushi.

He is survived by his wife, Melinda, and their three children, Jake (13), Jenna (11) and Hank (7). Donations to help the family with unforeseen burdens can be made at the following GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/71w3q9s