Reggie Griffin likes to say he didn’t do too much but rather just surrounded himself with a very good team during his more than 40 years at Kroger. But suppliers and fellow retailers know better. The Kroger Co. has received very high marks from the produce industry over the years as far as being an innovative retailer that has a great relationship with its suppliers and was not afraid to think outside the box. Under Mr. Griffin’s watch, the company very successfully... Read more

Market Fresh Produce announced the addition of Katie Wallace to its business development team, reporting to Steve Ford, director of business development. "I’m excited to have a person with Katie’s background to help in our business development team," Market Fresh’s Mike Kemp said in a press release. Ms. Wallace graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in food, human nutrition and hospitality with a concentration on dietetics. "Market... Read more

Market Fresh Produce hired Steve Ford as its director of business development. "I’m excited to have a person with Steve’s background to help in leading and building our business development team," Market Fresh's Mike Kemp said in a press release. Mr. Ford's background includes over 10 years of successful sales and operations experience with Frito-Lay and most recently with Sara Lee, where he held the position of director of sales for the Walmart central business... Read more

Gilbert Papazian, who passed up on a chance to get a free education and play football at Notre Dame to join his father in the produce industry, died May 3 at the age of 83. Mr. Papazian was born in 1929 in San Francisco as a first-generation American of two Armenian-born parents. He was raised in San Francisco and was quite the football player at Lincoln High School, leading to the scholarship offer that he turned down. In 1940, his father and uncle started Lucky... Read more

Longtime Los Angeles produce wholesaler, grower and shipper Norman Gilfenbain died April 30 at the age of 82. Mr. Gilfenbain was born in Boston on March 12, 1931, but soon thereafter his father moved the family to Los Angeles, where he was raised. He went to Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles and was an exceptional football player, according to his son Stuart Gilfenbain, who is sales manager of Eclipse Berry Farms in Oxnard, CA.A relatively recent photo of Norman... Read more

Michael Solomon, president and chief executive officer of Ready Pac Foods Inc., announced his retirement from the company. Mr. Solomon has been with Ready Pac since 2006 and has been president and CEO since 2008. He has led the company through several years of record performance. “I have decided that now since I have a strong senior executive on board to focus on the operations and financial aspects of the business, and one who complements an already strong management... Read more

TORONTO — The 2013 CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto marked the end of Jim DiMenna’s term as chairman of the association Mr. DiMenna, president, owner and chief executive officer of JemD Farms, who passed the torch to Walt Breeden of the Oppenheimer Group, reflected back on his year in the spotlight and the culmination of the largest CPMA show in history.Jim DiMenna Mr. DiMenna had three goals for his tenure as chairman: to continue the new governance... Read more

JEFF WEAVER recently joined Selma, CA-based Poindexter Nut Co. as manager of retail and produce development. With the new plant expansion at Poindexter Nut Co., and the continued growth of their retail brand, Mr. Weaver will be in charge of sales growth in the packaged nut line, which is expected to double in the next three years. Mr. Weaver recently graduated Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business and was introduced to the produce industry... Read more

Nashville, TN-based Kool Logistics, a nationwide provider of perishable logistic services, recently announced the hire of CRAIG CAHILL as chief operating officer. In his new position, Mr. Cahill will oversee the rapid growth of the company, including its new branch office openings, personnel development and continued customer satisfaction. “We are extremely fortunate to add someone as talented as Craig to our leadership team,” said Garry Rowe, president of Integrated... Read more

BEN VALLEJO, a 15-year veteran with The Oppenheimer Group, was promoted to sales manager of the company's Chino Hills, CA, office, effective April 1. Mr. Vallejo, who had been an Oppy sales representative since 2007, now leads the seven-person team responsible for marketing the company’s products in the southwestern United States, as well as national foodservice business development. “Ben is uniquely qualified for the sales management role, thanks to his proven... Read more

TORONTO — This year’s CPMA convention offered some lucky fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Freggie’s Children’s Program the opportunity not only to learn about fruits and vegetables, but also how to grow a dream, courtesy of special guest Katie Stagliano. Ms. Stagliano’s visit to the convention marked her first trip out of the United States, but the poised 14-year-old took it in stride. She appreciated the opportunity to deliver her message. Katie Stagliano“If... Read more

Giumarra Vineyards Corp. in Edison, CA, announced the addition of MIMI CORSARO-DORSEY to its sales and marketing team. In her new role, Ms. Corsaro-Dorsey will be specializing in sales to export markets for Giumarra’s domestic grape crop, and to East Coast accounts for its Mexican and South American import programs. She will also provide marketing assistance for all of Giumarra’s produce. Ms. Corsaro-Dorsey has 15 years of experience in the produce industry, including... Read more

Produce veteran Anthony Totta, who founded the consulting firm Grow My Profits, has the combination of professional qualifications and industry know-how to ensure clients receive the best return on investment by identifying the right product mix and appropriate sales strategies. “I grew up a third-generation retailer,” Mr. Totta told The Produce News. Anthony Totta“My father turned my grandfather’s over-the-counter store into a self-service store in downtown Kansas... Read more

The fresh produce industry is mourning the loss of Jan Fleming, chief executive officer of Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. in Chicago, who died May 1 at the age of 67. She is remembered by Director of Finance Lisa Strube as a woman with a pioneering spirit who mentored generations to come.Jan Fleming Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. was founded in 1913 by Ms. Fleming's grandfather, Fred Strube. Her father, Robert Strube Sr., took over the reins of the company... Read more

Safeway Inc. announced that Robert L. Edwards, currently the company's president, will succeed Steven A. Burd as chief executive officer May 14 when Mr. Burd retires as chairman and CEO. Mr. Edwards, 57, will also join the company's board of directors. Mr. Edwards joined Safeway as executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2004. In April 2012, he was named president, with overall responsibility for the company's retail operations, marketing, merchandising,... Read more

Bruce Turner, a produce industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in shipping, packing, marketing and retail, has joined Curry & Co. as director of sales and business development for berries. Mr. Turner most recently worked in marketing at Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. Prior to that, he was director of operations at Giumarra VBM International Berry in Wenatchee, WA.Bruce Turner Other positions that Mr. Turner has held include senior director of... Read more

Baloian Farms, based in Fresno, CA, opened a new office in Nogales, AZ, that will be headed by industry veteran Luis Corella in a move toward becoming a year-round player in the pepper category. Effective April 1, Mr. Corella was named to the new position created to oversee sales and procurement for Baloian's Mexico operations. His key duties will include grower relations and procurement of Baloian Farms Mexican products, but Luis Corellahe will also be assisting... Read more

Columbia Marketing International, a leader in the worldwide distribution of premium quality apples, pears and cherries, announced that Bob Mast, vice president of marketing of CMI, was promoted to president. Mr. Mast assumed the position immediately and will continue to work on limited marketing projects as CMI posts and fills the vice president of marketing position. Mike Wade, a board member and co-owner of CMI, said in a Bob Mast, president of Columbia Marketing... Read more

Chiquita Brands announced the appointment of Rick Frier as the company's senior vice president and chief financial officer. Mr. Frier will be responsible for all aspects of the company's financial operations worldwide. He will assume his new position immediately upon the filing of the company's first quarter financial report and will serve as senior vice president, finance, until that time. He succeeds Brian W. Kocher, who, as previously announced, will become chief... Read more

The Washington tree fruit industry is mourning the loss of 48-year-old Michael Monson, president of Monson Fruit Co. in Selah, WA. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Mr. Monson was aboard a helicopter in a remote area of British Columbia on a company fishing trip when the helicopter suddenly crashed near Bute Inlet into the Homatico River. The accident occurred April 13 at around 4:30 p.m., shortly after take-off. Search-and-rescue personnel were on... Read more