Holcomb named VP at Chiquita
Holcomb named VP at Chiquita
Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati has appointed Michael J. Holcomb, 47, vice president of corporate sales and customer development. He will be responsible for the company's global sales organization and will report to Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. He will also serve on the company's management committee.
"Mike has more than 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, and during his career, he consistently delivered sustainable, profitable growth," Mr. Aguirre said in a release. "I am confident that Mike will successfully continue to integrate the Chiquita and Fresh Express high- performance sales teams. We believe his expertise will help to ensure that our united, global sales force effectively leverages the proven value-selling approach that forms the core of our sales philosophy and growth strategy."
Mr. Holcomb comes to Chiquita from the Kao Brands Co., an $11 billion consumer packaged goods company based in Japan. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of international, working with brands including "John Frieda," "Jergens," "Curel," "Ban" and "Biore." While leading Kao's U.S. sales division for three years, he helped the organization deliver double-digit revenue growth and record profitability.
Prior to joining Kao, Mr. Holcomb served as executive vice president and general manager of client service for three years at Information Resources Inc., a leading provider of strategic sales and marketing information and analysis for consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers. In that role, he led a multifunctional executive team to service numerous Fortune 500 companies. He began his career at the Procter & Gamble Co., where he worked for 18 years in numerous grocery and beauty care sales and business development roles in North America and Asia.
Mr. Holcomb succeeds Jim Gallagher, who is leaving the company to pursue a business opportunity funded by private equity.
"Mike has more than 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, and during his career, he consistently delivered sustainable, profitable growth," Mr. Aguirre said in a release. "I am confident that Mike will successfully continue to integrate the Chiquita and Fresh Express high- performance sales teams. We believe his expertise will help to ensure that our united, global sales force effectively leverages the proven value-selling approach that forms the core of our sales philosophy and growth strategy."
Mr. Holcomb comes to Chiquita from the Kao Brands Co., an $11 billion consumer packaged goods company based in Japan. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of international, working with brands including "John Frieda," "Jergens," "Curel," "Ban" and "Biore." While leading Kao's U.S. sales division for three years, he helped the organization deliver double-digit revenue growth and record profitability.
Prior to joining Kao, Mr. Holcomb served as executive vice president and general manager of client service for three years at Information Resources Inc., a leading provider of strategic sales and marketing information and analysis for consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers. In that role, he led a multifunctional executive team to service numerous Fortune 500 companies. He began his career at the Procter & Gamble Co., where he worked for 18 years in numerous grocery and beauty care sales and business development roles in North America and Asia.
Mr. Holcomb succeeds Jim Gallagher, who is leaving the company to pursue a business opportunity funded by private equity.
