Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S. and premium supplier of fresh vegetables for nearly 100 years, announced the promotion of Christopher Drew to president and CEO.
 

Sun World International LLC has appointed Michele Melillo to the new position of vice president of grower support services. Melillo recently managed the company’s agronomic support activities. In his new leadership position, he will oversee all technical assistance and applied research programs and staff, assist with variety evaluation and management of the company’s global test site.

Giddings Berries USA, the Monterey, CA-based subsidiary of Giddings Fruit, a leading global supplier of conventional and organic berries, cherries and more, has strengthened its management team as it aggressively grows its presence and support to U.S. customers.

Jordan Fideler, a recent graduate from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business, spent her summer in a 12-week sales internship at West Pak Avocado. During that time, she set out to learn about and work on all aspects of West Pak’s sales processes and gained exposure to the company’s sales and marketing efforts.

Christopher Shinn Gardella, who spent more than 50 years working in the produce industry, died in Oxnard, CA, Monday, Sept. 13. He was 68.

Mr. Gardella began his esteemed 44-year produce career in 1977 in Philadelphia, where he learned the agribusiness of deciduous fruits from the ground up. His work spanned the globe and often took him to Chile.