Equitable Food Initiative has hired two employees filling new positions: Gabriela Lopez-Barry as the Ethical Charter Implementation Program project manager and Alexandra Martinez as marketing and sales associate.

Lopez-Barry recently began with EFI as the ECIP project manager, helping to implement a framework that creates a baseline for accountability and ensures people throughout the fresh produce and floral industries are treated with dignity and respect. Before joining EFI, she worked in the high-quality food industry and in food system analysis for a decade and has experience launching

Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing, will serve as chair of the Western Growers board of directors for a two-year term. Woolf was first elected to the Western Growers board in 2015.

"Western Growers is set up to meet the needs of the fresh produce industry in the Western U.S. by focusing on issues like immigration, labor and water rights," Woolf said. "We need a good, strong, trusted voice. As chair, I know that Western Growers will continue to be that voice for issues that impact all of agriculture."

Woolf Farming & Processing is a family-owned operation whose

Daniel Hartwig has been selected to serve as the California Fresh Fruit Association’s new president. Hartwig will succeed Ian LeMay, who has held the position since 2019 and will depart CFFA to assume the role of president and CEO of the California Table Grape Commission.

“We are excited to welcome Daniel to the CFFA team and look forward to him continuing the long legacy of strong leadership on behalf of the California fresh fruit industry,” said Wayde Kirschenman, CFFA's chairman of the board of directors. “Our board engaged in a thorough search process to fill this important role and we

Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing for the Sage Fruit Co., has decided to step back from his current role. Kevin Steiner, who has served as a senior business development manager for Sage, has been promoted to fill Sinks’ role at the beginning of the new year.

The title — president of sales and marketing — will be retired as Sinks steps back in January. While Steiner will take on these same responsibilities, the title of the position will now be president of business development and marketing.

Sinks is a produce industry veteran that has over 40 years under his belt, and more

Hillside Gardens Ltd./Hillside Gardens USA Inc. has hired Sean Balog as the new senior account manager for its Canadian branch in Bradford, ON, and as director of sales and marketing for its U.S. branch in Reidsville, GA.

With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Balog brings a wealth of expertise to the Hillside Gardens team. His extensive background in sales, branding and business development is expected to play a pivotal role in reinforcing Hillside Gardens' position as a high-quality, dependable leader in the root vegetable category.

Starting his career as a dock worker at McKay &

Martin Sotelo has joined Church Brothers Farms as senior director of raw product procurement (U.S. and Mexico).

Sotelo has more than 13 years of experience in the produce industry. Most recently, he served as ag ops manager for Taylor Farms Retail, where he was responsible for procurement and ag ops in both Mexico and the United States. He also served as harvest manager at Campos Borquez in Mexico and as assistant greenhouse grower for Grimmway Farms in Arvin, CA. Sotelo has a degree in Ag Economics from the University of Arizona.

In his new role, Sotelo will support raw product procurement