J&K Fresh adds expertise to both coasts
J&K Fresh adds expertise to both coasts
J&K Fresh has new additions to its management teams on both coasts: Gabriel (Gabe) Padilla is now director of operations on the West Coast and Ed Fitzgerald is vice president of compliance and trade services on the East Coast.
Padilla brings 23 years of experience to JKF. After graduating from Iowa State with a degree in agronomy and international agriculture, he joined the USDA and was transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At CBP, Padilla held the position of chief agriculture specialist for the Los Angeles and Long Beach Seaports. From there, Padilla went to the Federal Maritime Commission as an area representative/investigator. His extensive experience in the international agriculture arena brings a wealth of knowledge to JKF.
CEO Raymond Keffer and COO Robert Lee-Hoy said they are excited to have Padilla join the West Coast management team and know that his expertise will continue to elevate the day-to-day operations and support JKF’s mission.
Fitzgerald brings more than 30 years of experience in customs brokerage, trade compliance and business development. He earned his U.S. Customs Broker License in 1996 and is a certified customs specialist.
Fitzgerald’s background includes extensive experience in brokerage operations and compliance, with a specialization in fresh produce, food and beverage, forest products and base metals. A long-standing member of the trade community, he previously served as president of the World Trade Association of Philadelphia and treasurer of Ship Philly First.
Fitzgerald currently serves on the boards of directors of the Chilean Chamber of Commerce, the Maritime Exchange of the Delaware River & Bay, and the American Metals Supply Chain Institute and holds a bachelor's degree from La Salle University and a supply chain certification from Penn State University.
“We are excited to welcome Ed to the team and look forward to the experience and leadership he brings as we continue to grow,” said John Ercolani, president. “The role of the customs broker is even more critical in our current trade environment, and Ed’s addition will provide our clients with another valuable resource to help navigate through it.”