Sunny Valley International expands its sales team
Sunny Valley International expands its sales team
Sunny Valley International, a leading supplier of domestic and imported fruit on the East Coast, welcomed Kevin Lyons and Paul Pascal to its sales team on Dec. 1.
Lyons brings more than 30 years of produce industry experience. Most recently, he was a produce sales manager with UNFI, leading a sales team and managing everything from sales and store merchandising to transportation and procurement. Prior to joining UNFI, he was at Baldor Specialty Foods, where he helped guide the expansion of their retail and fresh-cut business segments. He also brings extensive organic produce sales experience from his time with Albert's Organics, starting as a regional sales representative before being promoted to national mass market manager.
"We are thrilled to have Kevin join our team. He has a track-record of results that speaks for itself and will be instrumental in Sunny Valley's continued growth as a premier East Coast fruit supplier," said Tom Beaver, co-owner of Sunny Valley International.
"I'm excited to join Sunny Valley as the company is poised for significant growth," said Lyons. "Sunny Valley will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026 and has evolved from its roots as an importer of Chilean table grapes to an industry-leader in multiple fresh fruit categories, with outstanding domestic and imported fruit programs."
Pascal has deep roots in the industry, including extended family at premier wholesaler TM Kovacevich in Philadelphia and Eastern ProPak, a Glassboro-based cold storage and repacking facility. Most recently, he was with Seven Seas, part of the Lange Fresh Sales family of companies, selling everything from imported citrus and berries to tropicals and deciduous fruit. Pascal also brings tremendous experience with organic produce sales, having started his career with Albert's Organics.
"I can't wait to hit the ground running at Sunny Valley," said Pascal. "The company has so much history and an incredible reputation in the industry, and I'm excited play a significant part in its continued success," he added.
"Paul will be a tremendous asset to our team," said Beaver. "Our role is to be a trusted partner with every customer that we work with, helping them solve problems in an increasingly competitive landscape. Paul is tenacious in ensuring that his customers have what they need, when they need it, so he will be a major asset for us and, more importantly, our customers."
Sunny Valley International is a 52-week supplier of premium fresh fruit. Domestic programs include exclusive marketing agreements with Jersey Fruit, a cooperative of New Jersey blueberry and stone fruit growers, Larchmont Farms, New Jersey's largest wholesale stone fruit grower and Dixie Belle, a premier family-owned South Carolina stone fruit and strawberry grower. The company is also a leader in imported fruit sales, offering a full-line of products from around the world ranging from deciduous and pip fruit to its prominent imported blueberry programs.
The addition of Lyons and Pascal comes at a perfect time, with the recent retirements of Bonnie Lundblad and Connie Furey, both of whom were instrumental in leading Sunny Valley's sales efforts for more than 30 years. They join Alexandra DiMatteo and Bill Burr, rounding out Sunny Valley's outstanding sales team and positioning the company for significant growth in the coming years.
