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.

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) joined groups nationwide in recognizing the tremendous efforts of grocery workers during the pandemic and beyond. Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed Monday, February 22, as Supermarket Employee Day in Pennsylvania as a way to acknowledge and thank supermarket employees for their extraordinary dedication to a job that has become more significant than ever.

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.

Morey’s Seafood International announces the departure of its President & CEO Jim Walstrom. More than 26 years ago, Morey’s brought in Walstrom--who had an established presence in the seafood industry at the time--to come work for the company.

Rodolfo Haenni has joined Tekni-Plex as vice president, market and strategy development for food and beverage packaging. Haenni will be responsible for leading Tekni-Plex’s efforts in developing and accelerating solutions to support the emerging needs of the food and beverage markets.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) elected new officers and directors to its Board of Directors during its recent Annual Membership Meeting. The newly-elected AFFI officers are: Julia Sabin of The J.M. Smucker Co. as chair; John Tentomas of Nature’s Touch as vice chair; and Meghan Swan of J.R. Simplot Company as immediate past chair.

Robert Taylor announced he will retire from the position of CEO of United Supermarkets, LLC, on March 1, 2021, and Sidney Hopper, president of United Supermarkets, will assume all of the responsibilities of the CEO. Taylor will continue in an advisory role for the company as Executive Vice-President/Senior Advisor.

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.