Moxxy Marketing has added Beth Adan, an experienced marketer, SEO strategist and content creator, in a new role of marketing director to manage brand objectives and increase agency visibility.

Adan has an extensive background in marketing, PR and content creation, most recently in the cannabis, hemp and CBD industries. She will propel Moxxy’s marketing to increase thought-leadership and continue to expand audiences and opportunities in the fresh produce industry.

Bland Farms, pioneer of the Vidalia sweet onion and international leader in the category, appointed Troy Bland as the company’s new CEO, rising from his former position as the company’s chief operating officer.

Troy’s appointment to CEO was an organizational transition mapped out by Delbert Bland, president, and Bryce Edmonson, Bland Farms’ previous CEO. Edmonson will remain involved as a senior advisor for Bland Farms, while Delbert Bland will continue in his current role as owner and president.

Tim Corkill, marketing manager for FirstFruits Marketing and longtime produce industry member, died Jan. 9. He previously worked with the Pear Bureau Northwest as western regional marketing manager, California Grape Commission as western manager and with Fresh Western, River Ranch Inc. as director of marketing services.

Tony Lanasa, who ran the company VF Lanasa Produce Inc. for 60 years, died Jan. 18. He was 82.

VF Lanasa Produce Inc. was one of the original produce businesses of Richmond, VA, when Vincent Frank Lanasa brought his father’s banana business to the city and expanded to tomatoes.

Tony Lanasa’s wife, Joyce, was by his side when he died, after struggling with cancer and other illnesses. The couple had three children—Michelle, Vince and Teresa.

Greg Sweet has been promoted to a newly created position of chief operating officer for Monterey Mushrooms. He joined the company in 1997 and has been responsible for many leadership positions, including his most recent role of regional vice president of operations for the farms and facilities in the eastern United States.  This role also included supporting our corporate technical services and innovation initiatives. 

On the last day of 2020, Price Mabry was enjoying a few days off before starting his new job on the first Monday of the new year as produce director of HAC, Inc., an 80-store grocery chain that consists of eight banners with stores located in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Georgia.

At 33 years old, Mabry will be one of the younger, if not the youngest, produce director of a chain that size in the United States. He is extremely excited about the job and the opportunity to prove himself at the highest produce level, but he admits to higher aspirations.