The Perishable Specialist, a leading customs brokerage firm headquartered in Miami, handles fresh produce exclusively. Ana Ramos, co-owner with her husband Frank, said that a broker that specializes in fresh fruits and vegetables serves the importer and shipper best because every bit of effort is concentrated within the produce industry.

Jesus Gonzales, who has more than 30 years in the Nogales produce industry and was most recently with Foodsource, is now general manager of the Nogales office of Fresno, CA-based Crown Jewels Produce Co.

Prior to Foodsource, “I was with Sysco here in Nogales, when Sysco had a purchasing office here,” Gonzales told The Produce News. “I ran the [Sysco] office here in Nogales at that time.” Before that, “I was with Carlsbad Produce for nine years, and before that, I was with Mandel Produce, back before it was SunFed.”

MINNEAPOLIS — A variety of strengths are leading to dynamic growth for the pre-cut produce offerings of G.O. Fresh, located here.

A key base for the company is strict cleanliness and food-safety procedures throughout operations. Beyond that, said Marylou Owen, owner and chief operations officer, a good taste profile is critical for her firm’s offerings.

The Kroger Co. promoted Mark Tuffin to senior vice president of retail divisions. He succeeds Michael Ellis, who will become Kroger's president and chief operating officer Jan. 1.

Victor Tokar, who was one of the pioneers of pre-ripening avocados, died on Sunday, Dec. 15, after a defiant battle with cancer. “Vic worked with my cousin Gil Henry to open up the very first avocado-ripening room in California,” said Phil Henry, president of Henry Avocado. “Vic was an expert in not only ripening but all cold storage technology. He worked with many different crops. He was a very, very nice man.”

OAKDALE, MN — At first adding a warehouse here, in a suburb on the east side of Minneapolis, was a matter of logistical strategy for Maglio & Co., which is based near Milwaukee in Glendale, WI. But the new, food-safe Minnesota operation with 25,000 square feet has proven to be much more useful and productive than was originally anticipated, according to Sam Maglio, who owns the firm.