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TRANSITION
ROBINSON FRESH
ANNOUNCEMENT
TRANSITION
Jim Lemke
Dave Medders
After nearly three decades of lead- ership, Jim Lemke, president of Robinson Fresh, a division of C.H. Robinson, Eden Prairie, MN, will retire in 2019. Lemke will focus his remaining time at Robinson Fresh on ensuring a smooth leadership transition. Robinson Fresh has been led by Lemke since 2003 and he has worked to expand
the division’s services globally.
SUN PACIFIC
Citrus industry veteran Dave
Medders was hired by Sun
Pacific, Pasadena, CA, as its
new vice president of sales.
Medders will oversee sales of the
company’s Cuties Mandarins,
Mighties kiwifruit, Sun Pacific
Navels, Vintage Sweets heirloom
Navels, Cara Caras, Minneolas
and lemons. Medders started his
career with Griffith Farms, where
he worked in the ranches and the
packinghouses before going into sales for Suntreat and later Sunkist. He spent the past 14 years at Dimetri Gardikas Produce Company, performing procurement and sales responsibilities for both domestic and imported citrus, and the past five years in a sales management role. “Beside his sales and farming experience, Dave brings of lot of energy and passion to our team,” says Barney Evans, pres- ident. “His love for the citrus business makes him a great fit for both Sun Pacific and our customers.”
TRANSITION
Lemke has been recognized for his efforts in the produce industry through a
number of awards and accolades including Produce Business’ “40-under-Forty,” and The Packer’s 2008 “Produce Man of the Year.” Lemke also served on the first USDA industry advisory committee, and chaired both the United Fresh Produce Association and the Food Marketing Institute’s Fresh Executive Committees. He has also served on numerous other committees for the Produce Marketing Association and the Produce for Better Health Foundation, and was a founding chairperson of the United Fresh
TRANSITION
DEL MONTE FRESH PRODUCE
Emanuel Lazopoulos, the senior
TOUR DE FRESH ROUTE TO WIND DOWN
CALIFORNIA COAST AND LAND AT PMA
Tour de Fresh, a four-day cycling event that
raises funds to benefit the Salad Bars to Schools campaign, announced a new route for its sixth-an- nual ride this fall. Presented by The California Giant
Foundation, the Tour route will start in Carmel, continue along Big Sur Highway 1 to Cambria, go south from Morro Rock to Solvang and then return to the coastal highway from Carpen- taria to Redondo Beach. On the
final day, the group will journey from Redondo Beach inland to Anaheim and land at the steps of the convention center before the 2019 PMA Fresh Summit. Industry leaders, riders as well as family and friends of riders will have the chance to make an impact by supporting a cause that has impacted approximately $1.3 million in additional produce sales through placing 240 salad bars in schools in five years across the United States.
ANNOUNCEMENT
SHUMAN GETS REBRAND,
PROMOTES SEVERAL EMPLOYEES
Shuman Produce, a leading grower and shipper of sweet onions year-round from Reidsville, GA, says
it now will be recognized as Shuman Farms, the umbrella company overseeing the brands RealSweet
and Produce for Kids. “This change reflects our company’s core business and a return to our roots as a generational family farm,”
says John Shuman, the company’s president and chief executive. As part of the 2019 rebranding, the company promoted several staff members into new positions: Frank Fox as chief financial officer; Adam Brady as director of marketing; Jennifer Gooch as sales manager; Brandon Parker as director of sales; Trish James as chief marketing officer; Johnny White as senior sales manager; and Erin Waters as sales manager. In addition, Amanda Keefer was named managing director of Produce for Kids.
CALIFORNIA GIANT
Helena Beckett has been hired as
retail sales account manager for
California Giant, Watsonville, CA.
Beckett has 15 years of sales and
category management experi-
ence serving top retailers. She
is working with the retail team
led by Nick Chappell, director of
retail sales, along with Jonathan
Sparks, Jerry Connery and Sherry
Castro. “California Giant is highly regarded in our community and the industry, and I am excited to
be part of the team,” says Beckett. California Giant is anticipating another banner year in fresh berry sales as spring has arrived. “The timing couldn’t be better as we look ahead to peak berry season right around the corner,” says Chappell. “Having a strong sales person like Helena step into our company with credibility and industry knowledge is a huge benefit.”
OBITUARY
GIUMARRA, PRODUCE INDUSTRY
MOURN PASSING OF STU MONAGHAN Stu Monaghan, who spent more
than 30 years in the fresh produce industry and joined the Giumarra Companies, Los Angeles, in 2017, died in Vero Beach, FL, after an eight-month battle with brain cancer. He was 52. Mr. Monaghan worked in various sales and
management roles throughout his career. “We will always remember Stu’s commitment to our industry, good sense of humor, and ability to connect with growers and customers alike,” says John Corsaro, chief executive of the Giumarra Companies. “Our friend will be deeply missed.” Mr. Monaghan is survived by his partner, Kristina Lorusso, regional business development director for Giumarra, and her son, Jonah; his three daughters Caitlyn, Carly, and Ava Monaghan; his mother and stepfather, Mona and Relf Crissey; his father, Richard; and his brother, Alan. In lieu of flowers, the family asks
that memorial donations be made to VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Emanuel Lazopoulos
Danny Dumas
vice president of sales, marketing and product management, is retiring this month after more than 15 years with Del Monte Fresh Produce North America, Coral Gables, FL. Lazopoulos started
at Del Monte in 2003 as vice president for the North America Fresh Cut division. “We extend
our appreciation and gratitude to Emanuel for all his many contribu- tions, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on a new adventure in his life,” says Youssef Zakharia, president and chief operating officer. Danny Dumas will take over in the same role. Dumas brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing with the company and more than 30 years
Helena Beckett
in the industry. He was previously vice president for North America sales and product management (banana and pineapple programs).
TRANSITION
CRYSTAL VALLEY FOODS
Anthony Leombruno has accepted
Anthony Leombruno
a position as retail sales asso- ciate at Crystal Valley Foods, Miami. Leombruno, who was most recently East Coast sales manager at Altar Produce, Calexico, CA, has more than 18 years of experi- ence in the produce industry. He will be tasked with expanding
and developing the company’s
growing national retail sales. “With his extensive knowledge about asparagus
and produce sales, he will be an integral part of our team and play an important role in expanding our customer base,” says Jay Rodriguez, president of Crystal Valley Foods, which is a leading grower and importer of top-quality produce from Central and South America.
Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, P.O. Box 810425, Boca Raton, FL 33481-0425 or email us at info@producebusiness.com
8 / APRIL 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS