Processors and Produce Companies Appoint New Executives

Processors and produce companies are celebrating a variety of new hires as some veterans retire.

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Veteran Finance Executive Named Calavo CFO

Calavo Growers, Inc. has announced that Kevin Manion, a veteran finance executive, has been appointed chief financial officer. Prior to joining Calavo, Manion held financial leadership positions with companies including Century Snacks, Young’s Market Company, Bolthouse Farms, Hostess Brands, Nestle USA and Kraft General Foods.

Alberto Obregon Joins Vision as Director of Global Procurement

Vision Import Group has hired industry veteran Alberto Obregon as director of global procurement.

Alberto has a degree in Agronomy from Antonio Narro University in Mexico and a master’s in Environmental Technology. He has over 20 years of experience in the produce business overseeing export and import programs. Working for the Secretary of Agriculture of Mexico, he spent 10 years working in Mexico, Chile, South Africa and USA coordinating, developing and consulting on bilateral international agreements for fresh fruit export programs.

Giant Food Gains New President

Ahold Delhaize USA announced Ira Kress has been appointed President, Giant Food, effective immediately.

Kress currently serves as interim president of Giant Food and joined Giant Food, an Ahold Delhaize USA company, in 1984. He has more than 36 years of retail experience, having started in store operations management and served in a variety of leadership roles in retail operations, human resources, training and labor relations. In addition, Ira held a leadership role in human resources at Ahold USA.

American Bakers Association Senior Advisor Retires

Following a 45-year career in the baking industry, the American Bakers Association’s senior advisor to the president & CEO Dave Van Laar has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2020. Van Laar has served in his current role since 2017, and prior to his current position, he led the Biscuit & Cookie Manufacturers Association (B&CMA) as president following his term as the organization’s Industry Chair.

Hormel Promotes VPs as President Retires

Hormel Foods Corporation announced the upcoming retirement of Larry Vorpahl, group vice president and president of Hormel Foods International Corporation. As a result, Swen Neufeldt, currently vice president of Meat Products marketing for the company’s Refrigerated Foods division, has been named group vice president and president of Hormel Foods International Corporation. Lisa Selk, currently director of Hormel Health Labs and the company’s CFI business, will assume the post of vice president of Meat Products marketing for Refrigerated Foods. Vorpahl’s retirement and the related moves will be effective this summer.

Animal Science Expert Joins WFLO Scientific Advisory Council

The World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), a Core Partner of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), has revealed that Cody Gifford, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Wyoming, has joined its Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) for a three-year term, occupying the open position on the committee focused on meat products.

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