Dave Eldredge leaves NewStar but is still a partner
Dave Eldredge leaves NewStar but is still a partner
Dave Eldredge, president and chief executive officer of Salinas, CA-based NewStar Fresh Foods LLC, relinquished those titles in mid-December.
Mr. Eldredge, who remains a partner in NewStar, retains his role on the board of directors of the California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Agreement and serves on that board's communications committee.
The decision to leave NewStar was strictly his own decision, Mr. Eldredge said. That view is shared by Mark Drever, one of several owners of NewStar, who has stepped in to fill Mr. Eldredge's role with the company. Mr. Eldredge said he's pleased with NewStar's standing in the industry and with the direction the company is heading as well as with Mr. Drever's ability to step in and take over his role, which enabled him to walk away.
"I decided to take a short break," Mr. Eldredge said of his departure, adding that he didn't have a timetable in mind for returning to the working world. He did say that he would not return to NewStar in a working capacity.
Mr. Eldredge is married and lives his Salinas with his wife, Sally, and their youngest daughter, Jaclyn, who is in high school. His son, Brian, and oldest daughter, Alison, are grown and live away from home.
Mr. Eldredge said he doesn't know what his next role will be but that he's "too young to retire" from the working world and that he enjoys working. He also said that future work likely would be in the fresh produce industry, "where my greatest value is." He has spent nearly 30 years working in fresh produce.
Mr. Eldredge started his produce career in 1979 as a salesman for Oshita, which in roundabout fashion eventually became NewStar Fresh Foods. He founded Markon Cooperative in 1985 and hired Tim York, the company's current president.
Prior to joining NewStar in November 2002, Mr. Eldredge spent 12 years at Tanimura & Antle -- as vice president of sales and marketing for the first 10 years and as executive vice president for his final two years there. Mr. Eldredge became a partner in NewStar about three years ago, he said.
He has served the fresh produce industry in various capacities, including stints as chairman and board member of the Produce Marketing Association and chairman of the 5 A Day initiative. He also served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.
Mr. Eldredge, who remains a partner in NewStar, retains his role on the board of directors of the California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Agreement and serves on that board's communications committee.
The decision to leave NewStar was strictly his own decision, Mr. Eldredge said. That view is shared by Mark Drever, one of several owners of NewStar, who has stepped in to fill Mr. Eldredge's role with the company. Mr. Eldredge said he's pleased with NewStar's standing in the industry and with the direction the company is heading as well as with Mr. Drever's ability to step in and take over his role, which enabled him to walk away.
"I decided to take a short break," Mr. Eldredge said of his departure, adding that he didn't have a timetable in mind for returning to the working world. He did say that he would not return to NewStar in a working capacity.
Mr. Eldredge is married and lives his Salinas with his wife, Sally, and their youngest daughter, Jaclyn, who is in high school. His son, Brian, and oldest daughter, Alison, are grown and live away from home.
Mr. Eldredge said he doesn't know what his next role will be but that he's "too young to retire" from the working world and that he enjoys working. He also said that future work likely would be in the fresh produce industry, "where my greatest value is." He has spent nearly 30 years working in fresh produce.
Mr. Eldredge started his produce career in 1979 as a salesman for Oshita, which in roundabout fashion eventually became NewStar Fresh Foods. He founded Markon Cooperative in 1985 and hired Tim York, the company's current president.
Prior to joining NewStar in November 2002, Mr. Eldredge spent 12 years at Tanimura & Antle -- as vice president of sales and marketing for the first 10 years and as executive vice president for his final two years there. Mr. Eldredge became a partner in NewStar about three years ago, he said.
He has served the fresh produce industry in various capacities, including stints as chairman and board member of the Produce Marketing Association and chairman of the 5 A Day initiative. He also served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.
