Grimmway Farms has promoted Eric Proffitt to executive vice president. In his new position, Proffitt will play a pivotal role in steering the company toward continued success, building on his experience and dedication to the agricultural industry.

“Eric has been an integral part of the Grimmway team for over three decades,” said Jeff Huckaby, president and CEO of Grimmway Farms. “He has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and a deep understanding of the complexities of our business and the produce industry. He has been a driving force in our organization for many years and his

Following FirstFruits Farms’ recent acquisition of Michigan’s Applewood Fresh Growers along with a record apple crop, the Prescott, WA-based grower has brought on two new sales personnel to accommodate the growth: Jake Zeutenhorst and Jeff Niesz.

Zeutenhorst, sales account manager, has worked in and around the apple and cherry industry his whole life. He brings nine years of sales account management experience to the team and understands the laborious process of growing, harvesting and packing a quality box of fruit from start to finish.

Having spent his entire career immersed in various

Chris Rheault has been named president of Produce Alliance LLC, an entity of the Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division. Rheault comes to the company having previously served as executive vice president of produce operations for Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division. 

“I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with Chris over the last nine-plus years of his career and feel elated to have him lead Produce Alliance,” said David Liesenfelt, president of the Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division. “Chris is well known within the foodservice industry and is committed to building relationships with

Gary Millerchip is leaving his position at Kroger as senior vice president and chief financial officer and taking on the role of Costco's executive vice president and CFO, effective March 15.

Costco's current CFO, Richard Galanti, will step down in mid-March.

Gary brings extensive retail and finance experience to Costco, serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at The Kroger Co. since April 2019.

Millerchip spent 15 years at The Kroger Co., serving as CFO since 2019. Prior to that he spent more than 20 years in banking, most recently with the NatWest Group (formerly

Melissa Anderson has joined the sales staff for Parma, ID-based Owyhee Produce, working out of her Georgia office.

Anderson, who was raised on a farm in southeast Georgia, brings several years of experience in onion sales, marketing and operations to the team.

Bailey Myers, who works in agritourism and marketing at the multi-generational Parma operation, said Anderson’s upbringing allowed her to “develop a profound connection with agriculture, eventually transitioning into a career in produce. With a rich background in leadership, networking and strategic engagement, she is well-equipped to

United Natural Foods Inc. named JJ Schlangen to the position of president of central region, effective Feb. 5. Schlangen will lead one of the company’s three regional sales divisions and will report to Chief Customer Officer Steve Dietz.

Schlangen joined UNFI in 2015 as a member of Supervalu’s financial analyst team. During his tenure with the company, he has served in a variety of leadership roles of increasing responsibility, helping drive customer profitability and supporting strategic investments in both wholesale and fresh.

“JJ is a collaborative leader who aligns his teams against both