H-E-B announced Cathy Harm as regional vice president in central Texas. She leads more than 20,000 employees with responsibilities that include store operations, merchandising, human resources, real estate, public relations, loss prevention, and financial performance.

Produce marketer and former retail buyer/merchandiser Roger Pepperl is retiring after a 40-year career spent elevating the produce experience for shoppers through innovation, branding, and storytelling. Pepperl has spent 20 years as marketing director for Stemilt, a tree fruit leader based in Wenatchee, WA. The development of the Lil Snappers kid-size fruit brand and A Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries are just a few examples of Pepperl’s success stories while at Stemilt.

Wholesum, Fair Trade certified growers and shippers of organic produce, recently hired Harumi Kuniyoshi, as its director of research and development. While Wholesum counts on a strong R&D team, this is the first time it fills a position for this type of role. The decision further advances Wholesum’s goals of presenting innovative and disruptive products to market and bolsters their role as leaders in organics.

While the pandemic certainly changed the course of the year, it has not altered Stemilt’s efforts to partner with the Washington Apple Education Foundation to award students of local agriculture families scholarships to pursue their secondary education goals.

On the cusp of the important season getting under way, Vanguard Direct announced the hiring of new positions in key sales and operations roles at the California and Pennsylvania offices. In total three new employees joined the Vanguard Direct teams bringing a variety of skills and experience in the produce industry.

Index Fresh announced Debbie Willmann as the director of sales. In her new role, Willmann will help manage the company’s existing domestic and international account base and set target growth goals, while expanding Index Fresh’s customer network.