Divine Flavor, a Nogales, AZ-based produce distributor and grower, announced that produce industry veteran Patrick Cortes has been named to a key role in the company’s development and strategic team.

Cortes joins the produce brand as the director of business development and strategic planning, where his principal duties will center on sustainable growth among the Divine Flavor customer base and its grower alliance.

“I’m thrilled to join the Divine Flavor team and contribute my experience to an already innovative brand who’s poised for growth,” said Cortes. “Divine Flavor is such a family-oriented company that values not only its work force but each of its stakeholders, whether it’s their clients, growers and anyone affiliated to the institution. Applying my knowledge from retail, foodservice and wholesale, I plan to use this expertise and take Divine Flavor to the next level.”

Prior to joining Divine Flavor, Cortes spent the last eight years at Mission Produce as the vice president of business development. Prior to that, he worked as an export manager for Gourmet Trading Co., overseeing markets outside the United States focusing on commodities such as berries and asparagus.

“The thoroughness with which Divine Flavor made sure I was the right candidate shows their commitment to cultivating the best talent,” said Cortes. “It demonstrated to me this is an organization that invests in the people they bring into the company and their core family values greatly align with mine.”

Carlos Bon, vice president of sales at Divine Flavor, said Cortes is a professional who not only has expansive experience in this industry, but is someone who is passionate and loves the produce world.

“During the whole process, I became more and more excited about hiring Patrick,” said Bon. “Interview calls quickly became deep conversations about our industry, and you could really get a sense of his passion for the work he does. What did it for me was speaking with our customers to get their point of view and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive about him.”

Divine Flavor President and CEO Alan Aguirre added that Cortes will be a core piece for the company moving forward as they look to upcoming projects.

“We see Mr. Cortes in a pivotal role for our plans for the future,” said Aguirre. “His knowledge and professionalism will bring balance and great things to our organization, and we are very excited he has joined the Divine Flavor family.”