Albert P. Keck II, president of Hadley Date Gardens Inc., will serve as the Western Growers chairman of the board of directors for a one-year term.

Keck, a third-generation Californian and farmer, is a lifelong native of the Coachella Valley. He is chairman of the California Date Administrative Committee and the California Date Commission. He was elected to the Western Growers board in 2015, and previously served as senior vice chairman.

The Organic Grower Summit, presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, will honor long-time organic grower Vic Smith as the recipient of the fourth annual Organic Grower Summit’s Grower of the Year. Smith, CEO of JV Smith Cos., was selected based on his ongoing commitment and dedication to excellence in organic production, organic industry leadership, and innovation.

Gold Coast Packing Inc. hired Robb Bertels as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Bertels has been in the produce industry for more than 35 years and brings a background in business development, strategic sales and marketing to Gold Coast.

During the Idaho Potato Commission’s November meeting, Mark Duncanson, the director of raw material procurement at Basic American Foods, was sworn in to represent the processor sector of the industry. Brett Jensen of Brett Jensen Farms and Bryan Wada of Wada Farms were appointed chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Moxxy Marketing, an award-winning, full-service marketing agency for fresh food and agriculture-based and related businesses, has expanded internal operations and its East Coast team with the addition of Cameron Dolan as business and accounting director.

Harris Teeter announced President Rod Antolock's retirement after nearly 22 years of service to the organization, commencing Feb. 1, 2022. He will be succeeded by Tammy DeBoer, currently Harris Teeter's senior vice president of merchandising, operations and marketing.

"Rod's leadership has been instrumental to the growth and success of Harris Teeter for more than two decades. His commitment to customer service and quality will continue to guide Harris Teeter into the future," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.