Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan was just appointed Vice President of the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). During a week celebrating Ports Day 2021, which highlights the significant contributions California ports made to assist the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wan fills the key leadership role effective immediately. The role was left vacant following the passing of Port of Richmond Executive Director Jim Matzorkis in December. 

Hormel announced the appointments of Jeff Frank to vice president of Grocery Products, leading the strategic integration of the Planters and Corn Nuts brands into Hormel Foods. The Planters and Corn Nuts acquisition was announced on February 11, and is expected to be completed by the summer. Frank currently serves as vice president of marketing for the Foodservice business within Hormel Foods. Additionally, Annemarie Vaupel, currently director of marketing for the Foodservice division, will advance to vice president of marketing for the Foodservice division.

Julie Lam, a key architect of the Port of Oakland’s COVID-19 response has been officially named the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. Lam had been the acting CFO for the past 10 months. Lam will be responsible for financial management, budgeting and accounting in her new role. She’ll also oversee human resources, risk management, purchasing and enterprise resource planning.

Ciranda, a leading supplier of certified organic, non-GMO and fair-trade food ingredients, welcomes Joni Huffman in a newly created role of Vice President of Sales. Huffman will lead the sales and customer support activities and will work closely with the senior leadership team to provide strategic direction for the company.

John Driscoll, director and chief executive officer of the Alabama State Port Authority, announced Beth Ann Frisher will join the Alabama State Port Authority senior management team as the new Chief Commercial Officer effective February 18, 2021. “Beth stood out amongst a very impressive list of qualified individuals seeking to lead this critical position at the Authority,” says Driscoll.

Schwan’s Company CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios announced today the promotion of Julie Francis to the newly created position of chief operating officer and the addition of Brian Schiegg as president of Schwan’s Consumer Brands, Inc.

Hormel Foods announced that Glenn Leitch, executive vice president of supply chain, will retire during the second calendar quarter of 2021. Mark Coffey, currently senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing for Hormel Foods, will advance to group vice president of supply chain and will lead the company's global supply chain. Additionally, Jen Ehresmann was named to vice president of supply chain. The company's supply chain includes more than 30 production facilities and co-packing partners, producing thousands of products sold worldwide.

Butterball has promoted two longtime members of its operations team—Neal Walsh has been appointed chief operating officer (COO) and Bill Folk has been appointed to vice president of operations. Both appointments took effect at the end of 2020.

NCC Automated Systems recently added Erik Bronander to its team to lead Business Development. While he will be tasked with growing business by identifying new applications and opportunities, Bronander's main objective will be to develop a new business unit focused around complete nutraceutical packaging lines. He will report directly to Kevin Mauger, President, NCC Automated Systems.

John Blicha has been promoted to Global Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Management at Eriez. Since joining Eriez in 2012 as Manager of Marketing Communications, Blicha has consistently earned promotions to various roles of increasing responsibility within the company’s marketing department.