The Canadian Produce Marketing Association announced Colin Chapdelaine as the 2023-24 CPMA chair following his appointment during the board meeting held concurrently with the 2023 CPMA Convention & Trade Show.

Chapdelaine brings to this role broad knowledge and extensive experience, having worked in the industry for more than 25 years. He is currently the president of berry operations at Star Produce and has served on CPMA board from 2007 to 2012 and then from 2015 to present. He is also a member of CPMA’s Executive and Human Resources Committees and is currently the vice chair of the

Dan Bane, chairman and CEO of Trader Joe's, will retire effective July 2.  At that time, Bryan Palbaum will become the chairman and CEO and Jon Basalone will be promoted to vice CEO and president of Trader Joe's Co.

Bane has been with the company for more than 25 years, the last 22 as the chairman and CEO.  During that period, the company has grown to be a national chain of 543 neighborhood grocery stores in 42 states, plus Washington, DC. He has championed a unique set of seven Values that guide the company and help direct all employees as they take wonderful care of millions of customers

Niagara Fresh Fruit Co., a division of Bucolo Cold Storage, has added John J. King to its sales team.

King originates from the crop protectant industry with over 15 years of sales experience working with apple growers in western New York.  His extensive field experience and knowledge of growing apples will bring a new and invigorating perspective to the sales team at Niagara Fresh Fruit. 

In addition to sales responsibilities, King will also be helping to manage over 1,000 acres of the farming operation.

King holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Niagara University, as well as a

Walmart Inc. appointed Laura Himes — former senior director for produce merchandising — to vice president sourcing – fresh.

Himes started working for Walmart in 2013, where she led produce merchandising and sustainability efforts around packaging, pollinators, vertical farming, block chain implementation and ethical treatment of farm workers. She has more than three decades of experience in the produce industry, in all areas encompassing farm to fork.

“It is a huge honor to be appointed vice president sourcing – fresh and to extend my work in implementing Walmart’s sourcing strategies around

Justin Dixon has joined Four Star Fruit, a leading table grape grower-shipper, as director of imports. Dixon will play a pivotal role in expanding Four Star's presence in growing regions worldwide and building sustainable partnerships with grower priorities top of mind.

Dixon brings extensive sales and leadership experience to the Four Star team. More recently, he was with Kingsburg Orchard as a sales representative in the stone fruit department. Dixon’s track record in the produce industry has prepared him to lead Four Star Fruit's efforts to expand its presence globally, which will bolster

Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion board for the potato industry, elected new leadership during its recent annual meeting. Mike Carter of Rosholt, WI, was named chairman of the board, leading the organization and the Executive Committee through 2023-24.

Carter, a 25-year veteran in the potato industry and CEO and co-owner of Bushmans’ Inc., has contributed his expertise to the board for a decade. Throughout his tenure, Carter has been a member of the Executive Committee for six years, taking on co-chair responsibilities for the International Marketing, Domestic Marketing and Industry