Maggie Bezart leaves Ocean Mist Farms
Maggie Bezart leaves Ocean Mist Farms
Maggie Bezart, vice president of marketing and sales for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms since 1999, left the company April 15 with an eye toward pursuing other employment. She will consult for Ocean Mist through June.
Ms. Bezart's 25-year background in the produce industry includes working in grocery and dry products, specialty foods, and commodity vegetables. She said that she intends to remain in the fresh produce industry, and will look for the proper fit, adding that Ocean Mist is having a change in marketing direction. She said, "I'd like to expand my knowledge and energy in foodservice.
While at Ocean Mist, Ms. Bezart brought in major new accounts and realigned Ocean Mist's customer base of direct, wholesale and foodservice in addition to developing club store initiatives. She also created new value-added and consumer-friendly packaging for a variety of products and developed a successful go-to-market strategy for artichoke sizes that had previously only been used as by-products and in terminal market sales.
"Ocean Mist is a grand company", Ms. Bezart said. "They've treated me exceptionally well. Ms. Bezart added that together she and Ocean Mist "have created trade and consumer awareness of Ocean Mist's quality and products.
"I think the industry recognizes me for what I've done, Ms. Bezart said. "I feel I've done the best job for Ocean Mist.
Ms. Bezart said that she will miss the sales team at Ocean Mist, calling them "one of the best in the business.
Prior to her six years at Ocean Mist, Ms. Bezart worked for Los Alamitos, CA-based Frieda's Inc. for 12 years. At Frieda's, she began in marketing and left as director of sales. Before Frieda's, Ms. Bezart worked for Los Angeles-based food company Prepco for more than eight years.
Ms. Bezart has held prominent leadership roles in the industry by serving on the board of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, as the co-chair of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council and as a member of the Fresh Summit Committee.
Ms. Bezart, 47, lives in Aptos, CA, with her husband, Joe. They have two boys: Joey, 22, and Justin, 20, both in college.
Ed Boutonnet, president and CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, said, "We at Ocean Mist Farms are grateful for Maggie's time, dedication and hard work. She has helped position Ocean Mist Farms as one of the leading-quality vegetable-production companies. We wish Maggie success in her future endeavors.
Ms. Bezart's 25-year background in the produce industry includes working in grocery and dry products, specialty foods, and commodity vegetables. She said that she intends to remain in the fresh produce industry, and will look for the proper fit, adding that Ocean Mist is having a change in marketing direction. She said, "I'd like to expand my knowledge and energy in foodservice.
While at Ocean Mist, Ms. Bezart brought in major new accounts and realigned Ocean Mist's customer base of direct, wholesale and foodservice in addition to developing club store initiatives. She also created new value-added and consumer-friendly packaging for a variety of products and developed a successful go-to-market strategy for artichoke sizes that had previously only been used as by-products and in terminal market sales.
"Ocean Mist is a grand company", Ms. Bezart said. "They've treated me exceptionally well. Ms. Bezart added that together she and Ocean Mist "have created trade and consumer awareness of Ocean Mist's quality and products.
"I think the industry recognizes me for what I've done, Ms. Bezart said. "I feel I've done the best job for Ocean Mist.
Ms. Bezart said that she will miss the sales team at Ocean Mist, calling them "one of the best in the business.
Prior to her six years at Ocean Mist, Ms. Bezart worked for Los Alamitos, CA-based Frieda's Inc. for 12 years. At Frieda's, she began in marketing and left as director of sales. Before Frieda's, Ms. Bezart worked for Los Angeles-based food company Prepco for more than eight years.
Ms. Bezart has held prominent leadership roles in the industry by serving on the board of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, as the co-chair of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council and as a member of the Fresh Summit Committee.
Ms. Bezart, 47, lives in Aptos, CA, with her husband, Joe. They have two boys: Joey, 22, and Justin, 20, both in college.
Ed Boutonnet, president and CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, said, "We at Ocean Mist Farms are grateful for Maggie's time, dedication and hard work. She has helped position Ocean Mist Farms as one of the leading-quality vegetable-production companies. We wish Maggie success in her future endeavors.
