Lorri Koster assumes co-chairmanship of Mann Packing
Lorri Koster assumes co-chairmanship of Mann Packing
SALINAS, CA -- Lorri Koster said that growing up in the family business will help her step into a high-profile position with Mann Packing Co., based here. The company's board of directors elected Ms. Koster Oct. 5 to the role of co- chairman. She succeeds her father, Don Nucci, who died unexpectedly Sept. 4.
Ms. Koster, 39, credits her father and Bill Ramsey, the late Mr. Nucci's partner of 39 years, for showing by example what leadership requires.
"Dad was a real mentor," Ms. Koster said. "I want to make him proud."
Mann Packing's strengths include its family-owned aspect, hands-on leadership and good treatment of its employees. "Business used to be done on a handshake," Ms. Koster said. "Bill [Ramsey] and my dad had quite a handshake."
Ms. Koster is the third generation of her family to work in the agriculture industry. She started working for Mann Packing on a part-time basis in 1981 and started in the marketing department full time in 1995.
She currently consults for the corporation in the marketing and communication areas. Her older brother Joe Nucci, who died in July 2005, was Mann's former president and chief executive officer. Ms. Koster said that while the losses of her brother and father are profound, the many loyal and dedicated employees at Mann Packing have made this transition easier for her and her sister, Gina Nucci, and "our entire family."
Bill Ramsey said in a press release that Ms. Koster is well suited to carry on her family's legacy at Mann Packing. "She has the industry knowledge and expertise, but most importantly she share's her family's passion, my family's passion and this company's passion for our people, our products, our quality and service," Mr. Ramsey said.
In that same release, company President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Jarrard said that Ms. Koster's trajectory to co-chairman status is a testament to both families' dedication to the longevity of the business.
"They had the foresight to develop a succession plan which protects the interests of the company, its employees and our customers," Mr. Jarrard said. "The corporation has been structured to fulfill the families collective visions and support the company's needs through normal business cycles."
Mann Packing has experienced "tremendous growth," Ms. Koster said, and is close to completing a new facility expansion. The company is set to complete a 20,000-square-foot expansion to its warehouse and shipping facility. The new space will bring the number of shipping ports to 23 and incorporate new technology to improve throughput. The expansion also allows the company to expand its fresh-cut processing operations by 20 percent.
At the upcoming Produce Marketing Association convention in San Diego, Mann Packing will launch a new line of fresh vegetable items to meet consumers needs for healthy snacks and side dishes. The "Healthy Snacks On The Go!" line features four different combinations of fresh vegetables in a mini tray coupled with a light ranch dip.
In addition to the snack line, Mann Packing is introducing a line of co- branded vegetable side dishes in a tray that allows the consumer to steam the items in three minutes or less. The "Ready, Set, Steam!" line features four vegetable side dishes, each partnered with a co-branded sauce component.
Ms. Koster, 39, credits her father and Bill Ramsey, the late Mr. Nucci's partner of 39 years, for showing by example what leadership requires.
"Dad was a real mentor," Ms. Koster said. "I want to make him proud."
Mann Packing's strengths include its family-owned aspect, hands-on leadership and good treatment of its employees. "Business used to be done on a handshake," Ms. Koster said. "Bill [Ramsey] and my dad had quite a handshake."
Ms. Koster is the third generation of her family to work in the agriculture industry. She started working for Mann Packing on a part-time basis in 1981 and started in the marketing department full time in 1995.
She currently consults for the corporation in the marketing and communication areas. Her older brother Joe Nucci, who died in July 2005, was Mann's former president and chief executive officer. Ms. Koster said that while the losses of her brother and father are profound, the many loyal and dedicated employees at Mann Packing have made this transition easier for her and her sister, Gina Nucci, and "our entire family."
Bill Ramsey said in a press release that Ms. Koster is well suited to carry on her family's legacy at Mann Packing. "She has the industry knowledge and expertise, but most importantly she share's her family's passion, my family's passion and this company's passion for our people, our products, our quality and service," Mr. Ramsey said.
In that same release, company President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Jarrard said that Ms. Koster's trajectory to co-chairman status is a testament to both families' dedication to the longevity of the business.
"They had the foresight to develop a succession plan which protects the interests of the company, its employees and our customers," Mr. Jarrard said. "The corporation has been structured to fulfill the families collective visions and support the company's needs through normal business cycles."
Mann Packing has experienced "tremendous growth," Ms. Koster said, and is close to completing a new facility expansion. The company is set to complete a 20,000-square-foot expansion to its warehouse and shipping facility. The new space will bring the number of shipping ports to 23 and incorporate new technology to improve throughput. The expansion also allows the company to expand its fresh-cut processing operations by 20 percent.
At the upcoming Produce Marketing Association convention in San Diego, Mann Packing will launch a new line of fresh vegetable items to meet consumers needs for healthy snacks and side dishes. The "Healthy Snacks On The Go!" line features four different combinations of fresh vegetables in a mini tray coupled with a light ranch dip.
In addition to the snack line, Mann Packing is introducing a line of co- branded vegetable side dishes in a tray that allows the consumer to steam the items in three minutes or less. The "Ready, Set, Steam!" line features four vegetable side dishes, each partnered with a co-branded sauce component.
