Industry Veteran Mike Browne joins Mission Produce, Inc. as Chief Operating Officer
Mission Produce Inc. announced that industry executive leader Mike Browne has joined the company as the chief operating officer reporting to Mission Produce’s president and CEO Steve Barnard.
Effective immediately, Mike will lead Mission Produce’s operations while working in concert with the CEO and executive team to continue developing strategies for each department’s success, targeting attainment of aggressive growth goals while improving efficiencies.
Orion Energy Partners Announces Promotions; Lauren Key to Senior Vice President and Josh Shishkoff and Sue Yang to Vice President
Orion Energy Partners L.P. is pleased to announce the promotions of Lauren Key to senior vice president and Josh Shishkoff and Sue Yang to vice president.
Key joined Orion Energy in New York in 2015 from Ernst & Young where she was a manager in the private investment funds audit group. She moved to Orion Energy’s Houston office in 2018 to help build out the Finance and Operations group.
Shishkoff joined Orion Energy in its Houston office in 2018 from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. where he was a Strategist in the J. Aron Commodities Group in New York and Houston.
Yang joined Orion Energy in 2018 in New York from Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets where she focused on executing and managing a range of energy infrastructure investments. Previously, she was with McKinsey & Company where she focused largely on infrastructure and industrial projects.
Leeward Renewable Energy Announces Appointment of Mary Doswell as New Independent Director
Leeward Renewable Energy announced that Mary Doswell has been appointed to its Board of Directors.
Doswell has extensive experience in the energy industry, including a 30-year career at Dominion Resources. Most recently, she was senior Vice President, Dominion Resources, Inc. with responsibility for Alternative Energy Solutions and Dominion’s support of Offshore Wind Development. Ms. Doswell currently serves as Founder and CEO of Doswell Strategic Consulting Services, LLC, an energy sector consultancy providing regulatory, legislative, marketing, technology, and business planning services to energy technology start-ups, governmental agencies, and international energy companies. She also has served as Chair of the 7th Power Grid Resilience Conference 2018, senior advisor to a large European energy company, and has held board roles with Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia and Performance Food Group, Inc.
Nathan Harwell Joins U.S. Xpress as Chief Legal Officer
U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. announced the addition of Nathan Harwell as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Office
Reporting to the president and CEO Eric Fuller, Harwell will oversee all legal matters across the company and will serve as an integral advisor on business development, as well as legislative and regulatory affairs. Harwell is an accomplished commercial attorney with over 16 years of experience in commercial litigation, business development, labor and employment, intellectual property and strategic planning.
Impossible Foods Hires Biotech Executive and Startup Founder Brian Miller as Chief People Officer
Impossible Foods has hired biotech executive Brian Miller as chief people officer.
Miller began yesterday and reports directly to Impossible Foods’ President Dennis Woodside. Among his many responsibilities, Miller will oversee recruiting, development and retention as the food tech startup embarks on one of the most audacious ramp-ups in the food sector.
Bloomreach appoints Rob Rosenthal as Chief Revenue Officer
Bloomreach announced that Rob Rosenthal has joined as Chief Revenue Officer. Rosenthal joins Bloomreach after having served in senior executive sales leadership roles at Adobe and SAP. In his new role, Rosenthal will have full responsibility for revenue at Bloomreach, including sales and new business, account management and customer success, as well as channel and partners.
Rosenthal’s career has spanned many years in sales and sales management. His two most recent stops saw him build and lead the North American Hybris organization through its explosive growth and eventual acquisition by SAP, where he continued to lead sales as the business was integrated and expanded at SAP. Rosenthal then moved to Adobe, first leading the specialist teams within the experience business, then leading the North and Latin America Adobe Marketing Cloud sales team for strategic new business accounts.
Hans Sauter Takes Over Global Sustainability Duties at Fresh Del Monte Produce
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has appointed Hans Sauter as the Company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Under Sauter’s leadership, Fresh Del Monte Produce will continue its efforts to focus heavily on sustainability throughout the business, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of working towards A Better World Tomorrow.
In his new role, Sauter will maintain and advance projects and partnerships that commit to the health and wellbeing of our planet, ensuring for a Better World Tomorrow.
UNFI Announces Senior Management Team Changes
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) ("UNFI") today announced a number of changes within the Company's senior management team. The Company also disclosed that it has extended the employment agreement of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven L. Spinner through July 31, 2021.
Senior management appointments and changes are:
· John Howard, who has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since August 2019, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective February 9, 2020;
· Eric Dorne, who serves as the Company's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and oversees the Company's Integration Office and Canadian Business, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective March 8, 2020;
· Sean Griffin, currently UNFI's Chief Operating Officer, has announced his retirement effective July 31, 2020. Griffin will focus on continuing the Company's business transformation as well as supporting other key business initiatives. He will remain with the Company as an advisor until November 2020;
· Chris Testa, President and Chief Marketing Officer, will take on additional responsibilities leading UNFI's professional services, supplier services, customer care and the Company's Canadian division, and will report directly to Spinner.
J.B. Hunt Announces Further Leadership Changes
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. announced further changes to its top leadership. Effective March 1, 2020, David G. Mee will retire from his current duties as executive vice president, Finance and Administration and chief financial officer. John Kuhlow, currently senior vice president of Finance, controller and chief accounting officer, will assume the role of interim chief financial officer on that date. Mr. Mee will continue to serve as an employee and advisor to the Company until April 1, 2020.
FishWise Announces Lori Bishop as New Director and Walmart Foundation Funding to Grow Social Responsibility in the Seafood Sector
FishWise is pleased to announce new leadership and a $934,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to advance its work against labor abuses and modern-day slavery in seafood.
Lori Bishop brings to her new role over 15 years of leading social change initiatives. Prior to joining FishWise, Bishop created Humanity United’s largest anti-slavery programs, including a groundbreaking initiative to engage corporations, investors and others in a proactive fight against modern slavery. These programs operated across sectors, with a focus on palm oil, gold, and seafood. Through this work – at the intersection of philanthropy, human rights, and sustainable supply chains – Bishop spearheaded prize-winning journalism, the development of due diligence tools, engagement with civil society actors globally, and relationships with Fortune 500 companies.
Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board Announces New Officers
Cattle producers Jared Brackett, Hugh Sanburg and Norman Voyles, Jr. are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). This officer team is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff throughout 2020.
Brackett, Sanburg and Voyles were elected by their fellow Beef Board members during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio on Friday, February 7, 2020. Brackett, the 2019 Vice Chair, will now serve as the CBB’s Chair, while Sanburg will transition from his role as the 2019 Secretary-Treasurer to become the 2020 Vice Chair. Voyles is the newest member of the officer team, taking on Sanburg’s former responsibilities as Secretary-Treasurer.
Atchison Named Director of NJDA’s Division of Marketing and Development
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced the appointment of Joe Atchison III, of Cherry Hill, as Director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing and Development. Atchison has been with the NJDA since 2005.
Since 2013, Atchison has served as Coordinator of Agricultural Development conducting outreach to many agricultural organizations throughout the state. He also has managed the development of creative messaging and marketing plans for the Jersey Fresh program. Atchison joined the New Jersey Department of Agriculture in 2005 as a Marketing Specialist supporting the Director of Marketing.
Paul Piazza & Son, Inc. Welcomes New Director of Retail Sales
Paul Piazza & Son, Inc. announced today that Brian Mesman has joined the company Director of Retail Sales. Brian will oversee business with current retail customers and business development with U.S. supermarket chains and other retail outlets for Paul Piazza’s premium, wild-caught, Gulf shrimp products.
Having spent 25 years at Superior Foods Co. working as Retail Account Manager, Purchasing Manager, Retail Sales Manager, and National Sales Manager, Mesman understands all aspects of retail customer goals, budgets, service and support needs, inventory, quality and consistency.
Tobin Richardson Joins ioXt Alliance Board of Directors
ioXt, the global standard for IoT security and preeminent IoT security alliance, announces the appointment of Tobin Richardson, CEO of the Zigbee Alliance, to its board of directors. As a founding member of the ioXt Alliance, Richardson has been instrumental in shaping ioXt’s work towards creating the internet of secure things.
In his role with the Zigbee Alliance, Richardson works closely with global brands and market-changing innovators to steer worldwide IoT agendas with cutting-edge consumer electronics, industrial and commercial companies. He has more than two decades of experience in executive leadership, strategy and development for technology firms and organizations. Richardson’s career spans large-scale technology implementations, new service and product rollouts and transformational change in Fortune 500 companies and world-leading firms.
The Food Institute Names COO, Head of Data Science
The Food Institute, a New Jersey-based news and market research company founded in 1928, is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Bei as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Data Science.
Richard has over 20 years of experience in equity research, portfolio management, trading, and investment operations at global financial firms. From working at small family offices, hedge funds, to large investment managers such as AllianceBernstein and JP Morgan Asset Management, Richard spent most of his career focusing on combining proprietary mathematical algorithms, rigorous data analytics, and creative research insights to deliver thoughtful business solutions and investment results. Mr. Bei is a CFA Charterholder, and he holds an Economics degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Taco Bell Appoints Nikki Lawson As Global Chief Brand Officer
Taco Bell Corp. today announced that it has named Nikki Lawson as Global Chief Brand Officer, responsible for continuing the success of the Taco Bell brand in the US and across the world.
Lawson, former Managing Director, KFC SOPAC (South Pacific), will join the brand effective this April, reporting to Mark King, Chief Executive Officer, Taco Bell Corp. Lawson comes to Taco Bell after nearly 20 years at KFC, having held numerous marketing leadership roles, first in the KFC Africa business, and later in SOPAC, where she served as Chief Marketing & Development Officer and, most recently, Managing Director.
CRB welcomes Eric Danielson as Director of Business Development
CRB is pleased to announce Eric Danielson has joined the company as Director of Business Development.
Based in the Kansas City office, Eric will be helping lead the business development efforts for CRB’s Midwest Division. He will work with the Kansas City, Dallas and Denver offices to help the organization’s “sellers-doers” win work and grow CRB’s presence in the region.
In his new role, Eric is eager to help CRB’s teams identify a portfolio of ideal clients, determine what services they need, and find a way to become an indispensable business partner, both internally and externally. One of his key objectives is to restore the Midwest division as CRB’s highest revenue and most profitable division through a ONEsolution approach.
Port of Oakland appoints first Chief Operating Officer
Veteran aviation executive Kristi McKenney has been named Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Oakland. Executive Director Danny Wan announced the appointment today after the Port’s governing Board created the new position last month. Ms. McKenney had been serving as Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port’s Oakland International Airport.
McKenney would manage Port operations. She’ll also oversee Port compliance with Board policies and government regulations, he added. The Executive Director said Ms. McKenney would manage the following departments:
• Engineering Services;
• Environmental Programs and Planning;
• Utilities; and
• Information Technology.
Crispy Green Hires New Regional Sales Manager
Crispy Green continues its growth trajectory by bringing Janet Torres on board to strengthen its key accounts and regional sales to meet our aggressive growth plan for 2020 and beyond. Ms. Torres brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and will be a solid asset to the team.
In addition to her track record with major CPG players such as Hershey, Nestle, Lindt and Cott Beverages, Ms.Torres brings impressive business training to the table, including an MBA from Auburn University along with CPCA Certification for category management and completion of an Executive Scholar’s Program from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She also has experience working with major retailers including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Lowes, etc. and is bilingual.
CWI Logistics Promotes Sarah Latimer to Vice President of Administration
CWI Logistics, a provider of an array of 3rd party logistics services across warehousing, cold storage, transportation and packaging, today announced the promotion of Sarah Latimer to Vice President of Administration. She will have the primary responsibility for talent recruitment, development and retention along with information technology, company payroll and procurement.
Latimer joined the company in 2013 as Director of Administration where she took on a broad set of responsibilities including, but not limited to, HR, IT, compliance, procurement, safety, billing and customer service. Ms. Latimer was previously a supply chain consultant focused on systems integration and operational process improvement.
CWI Logistics Promotes Tony Goleno to Vice President of Transportation Management
CWI Logistics, a provider of an array of 3rd party logistics services across warehousing, cold storage, transportation and packaging, today announced the promotion of Tony Goleno to Vice President of Transportation Management of its subsidiary company, CWI Transportation. He will have the primary responsibility for expanding its non-asset transportation services business.
Goleno joined the company in 2017 as Director of Transportation Management and quickly put together a talented team, built the systems infrastructure and created the processes necessary to compete at a high level in the marketplace. Mr. Goleno was previously with Smith Transport in Tampa, FL.
Ahmed Awadalla of Charlotte Hall, Md., Named Food Lion’s Store Manager of the Year
Charlotte Hall, Md., Food Lion store manager Ahmed Awadalla was named Food Lion’s Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager of the Year this week at the company's headquarters in Salisbury, N.C. Awadalla was selected from a group of more than 1,000 store managers across the company. Food Lion’s Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Awards recognize and honor exceptional store managers who enrich the lives of Food Lion's customers, associates and the communities we serve, successfully lead the business and support and inspire others. In recognition of Awadalla receiving this honor, Food Lion is donating 15,000 meals to the Maryland Food Bank through the retailer’s hunger relief initiative, Food Lion Feeds.
Awadalla began his career with Food Lion in 2007, as a part-time office assistant. Since then he has rapidly risen through the organization, holding the positions of part-time grocery associate, grocery manager, customer service manager, assistant store manager and store manager. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, his native language is Arabic. His favorite sport is soccer and he is an avid supporter of the Liverpool Football Club. Awadalla loves to travel and has visited 16 different countries.
In addition to Awadalla being selected as Food Lion’s Store Manager of the Year, four other store managers were recognized for exceptional leadership. The 2019 Divisional Store Manager Excellence Award recipients include:
• Mid-Atlantic Division: Reggie Beamon, store manager of the Food Lion located at 851 Washington Sq. Mall, Washington, N.C. 27889
• Central Division: Julius Gaines, store manager of the Food Lion located at 2526 Little Rock Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28214
• Southern Division: Parrish Harvey, store manager of the Food Lion located at 1610 Highway 17 S., Surfside Beach, S.C. 29575
• Norfolk/Richmond Division: Leah King, store manager of the Food Lion located at 7465 Hargett Blvd., Gloucester, Va. 23061
Cheryl Falk Joins Fortna as Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Communications and Business Development
Fortna®, The Distribution Experts®, a leading global automation, engineering services and software company, announced today that Cheryl Falk has joined the organization as Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Communications (MarCom) and Business Development. In this role, Falk will lead the company’s MarCom and Business Development teams and efforts to globally promote the brand, grow market share, strengthen client relationships and provide strategic insights to support the expansion of the Fortna business.
Prior to joining Fortna, Cheryl held various global and regional marketing communications positions at Dematic, an intralogistics company that designs, builds and supports intelligent automation solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments. During her tenure, Falk designed, developed and delivered strategic MarCom programs for business solutions and services that enhanced brand equity, extended market share and improved the customer experience to support the company’s growth.
Consolidated Chassis Management Names Michael Mitchell SVP and COO
Consolidated Chassis Management (CCM) has promoted Michael Mitchell to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective February 1, 2020. A 30-year industry veteran, Mr. Mitchell has been with CCM since its launch in 2005.
In his new role, Mr. Mitchell will oversee operations, maintenance, logistics, human resources and risk management. Prior to joining CCM, Mr. Mitchell held several management positions at Matson Terminals, Sea-Land Service and CSX Lines. He began his career with the US Army and is a decorated officer.
Pilot Promotes Rochelle Wilson to Vice President Field Sales
Pilot Freight Services (Pilot), a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, announces the promotion of Rochelle Wilson to vice president, field sales. In this newly created role, Wilson will be responsible for growing local sales. Additionally, she will work closely with the regional vice presidents and local sales team to increase productivity and results.
As vice president, field sales, Wilson will focus on customer relationships and strengthening engagement on a local sales level by using Pilot’s vast network to create client-focused solutions. Wilson served the past two years as a member of Pilot’s international team as director of global business development. Leveraging her expertise in domestic and global sales, and operations, she fostered relationships with new clients for truck brokerage, contract logistics, customs brokerage, and domestic B2B as well as global air and ocean products.
Renewable Energy Leader Dr. Kandeh Yumkella Joins Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Kandeh Yumkella to its board of directors.
Yumkella is currently a parliamentarian in Sierra Leone where he also ran as a presidential candidate during the last election. Until 2016 he served as the special representative of the United Nations secretary-general for Sustainable Energy for All and CEO of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) Initiative, founded in 2011 under the auspices of then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During Dr. Yumkella’s tenure, SEforAll raised the global profile of sustainable energy—and particularly energy access—as a key development enabler, leading to its inclusion as one of one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015.
DataRobot Appoints Dan Wright as President and Chief Operating Officer
DataRobot, the leader in enterprise AI, today announced that it has appointed Dan Wright as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Wright most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at AppDynamics, the leader in application performance management (APM). During his nearly seven years at the company, Wright helped AppDynamics increase annual recurring revenue 100x, establish itself as the largest and fast-growing APM vendor, and become cash flow positive while driving toward profitability. In 2017, AppDynamics was acquired by Cisco for $3.7 billion two days before its planned initial public offering. Following the acquisition, AppDynamics continued its aggressive growth as a part of Cisco.
Hy-Tek Material Handling Appoints Integrated Systems Division President & EVP
Hy-Tek Material Handling’s Integrated Systems (IS) division is pleased to announce the appointment of Donnie Johnson as president and Mark Bruner as executive vice president. Based in Greater Cincinnati and serving customers nationwide, the Hy-Tek IS division has the experience and expertise to engineer, design, and implement strategic plans for any material handling application. Hy-Tek IS solutions include integrated conveyor systems, engineered storage systems, receiving and shipping systems, robotic palletizing cells, automated picking technologies including pick-to-light, and complete turnkey projects.
As Integrated Systems division president, Johnson is responsible for sales and marketing and serves as key account executive for major system users. He oversees a team of experienced professionals working out of offices in Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. A seasoned professional with over four decades of industry experience, including 18 years with Hy-Tek, Johnson previously held the position of executive VP, sales. He is charged with growing the IS division nationally.
As executive vice president, Bruner oversees all Hy-Tek IS division operations and installation services, excluding sales and marketing. With 40 years of industry experience, including 18 years with Hy-Tek, he previously held the position of executive VP, operations. Bruner and the IS team are dedicated to delivering innovative engineering solutions that integrate technology, equipment, and the latest industry practices.
CWI Logistics Promotes Tony Goleno to Vice President of Transportation Management
CWI Logistics, a provider of an array of 3RD party logistics services across warehousing, cold storage, transportation and packaging, today announced the promotion of Tony Goleno to Vice President of Transportation Management of its subsidiary company, CWI Transportation. He will have the primary responsibility for expanding its non-asset transportation services business.
Goleno joined the company in 2017 as Director of Transportation Management and quickly put together a talented team, built the systems infrastructure and created the processes necessary to compete at a high level in the marketplace. Mr. Goleno was previously with Smith Transport in Tampa, FL.
Emily Martin, Former GE Supply Chain Executive, Joins Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice announced today that it has appointed Emily Martin as Director, Portfolio Company Procurement Program, effective February 18. Ms. Martin will work with the supply chain and procurement leaders at the Firm’s portfolio companies.
Ms. Martin joins CD&R after a 22-year career at General Electric, bringing deep expertise in high-value procurement, strategic negotiations, and supply chain operations. Most recently, she served as the Chief Commercial Officer for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Prior to that role, Ms. Martin was Senior Vice President - Global Supply Chain where she led sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics for operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Ms. Martin also held leadership roles in GE Energy, including leading $25 billion of worldwide logistics operations and carrier management, and heading the Electrical Center of Excellence with responsibility for sourcing and development of a $3 billion electrical and electronics supply chain for the broad portfolio of GE businesses in the energy sector.
Executive Chairman John Wiehoff to Retire from C.H. Robinson Board of Directors
C.H. Robinson (Nasdaq: CHRW) today announced that Executive Chairman John Wiehoff has announced his intention to retire from the company’s Board of Directors effective upon the conclusion of his term at the company’s annual stockholders meeting scheduled for May 7, 2020.
Wiehoff, 58 years old, has been a director of the company since 2001. He served as Chief Executive Officer of C.H. Robinson from May 2002 to May 2019 and became Chairman in January 2007. Previous positions with the company include Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Controller. Prior to that, Mr. Wiehoff was employed by Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Wiehoff also serves on the Board of Directors of Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) and U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University.
The Board will announce plans for a successor chairman, which will be determined at a later date.
Supply Chain, Marketing & Sales Experts Join Organic Valley Leadership
Organic Valley is proud to announce the addition of two seasoned consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry professionals to newly created positions on the cooperative’s executive leadership team: Ty Brannen as executive vice president of supply chain and Staci Kring as chief revenue officer.
With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Brannen has focused his career in all aspects of supply-chain leadership from raw material supply to the consumer. For 27 years, he served in leadership positions with several of the world’s top CPG companies, including PepsiCo, Clorox, and more recently, Nestle Waters, where he served as vice president of operations for North America. Immediately prior to joining Organic Valley, Brannen served as senior vice president of supply chain and operations for Emmi Roth, the U.S. subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group and a leading provider of specialty cheeses.
In his new role, Brannen oversees production, co-manufacturing, internal facilities, logistics, and purchasing.
Kring brings a broad range of successful experience within dairy, specifically around strategy, revenue generation, team collaboration, and profit execution. Her background includes nearly 22 years with Schreiber Foods, one of the largest dairy companies in the world, with annual sales of more than $5 billion. Her roles at Schreiber (starting out as a production manager) included executive vice president of retail sales and senior vice president of retail sales and marketing. Through this experience, Kring brings a demonstrated track record for generating growth and customer satisfaction at food retailers across the United States.
In her new role, Kring takes responsibility for all activities within marketing and sales.
