The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane as its new vice president of marketing. Splane fills the role vacated by Jan DeLyser following her retirement last month. He has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the foodservice and retail channels, most recently as head of partner success and strategy for Impossible Foods.

“We are very happy to have Terry Splane join the team and lead the commission’s marketing strategy and activities,” said Jeff Oberman, California Avocado Commission president. “Terry’s deep experience in the fresh food

Dan Branson, senior director of business and product development at Mucci Farms, died suddenly on Saturday, March 11. He was 57.

Mr. Branson joined Mucci in August 2021 after a long career in the produce industry, most notably with Loblaw Cos. 

“We have worked with Dan on both sides of the business for nearly 20 years,” said Bert Mucci, CEO. “More than a great produce executive, he was also a fine man that was well liked by everyone.  We are heartbroken for his family and offer our deepest condolences to them.”

Mucci Farms’ relationship with Mr. Branson started long before his employment

Lee E. Cole is returning to lead Calavo Growers Inc. as president and CEO, effective immediately. Cole agreed to lead the company for three years with the goal of returning it to a position of growth and shareholder value creation. He succeeds Brian W. Kocher, who has stepped down from his role.

Cole served as Calavo’s president and CEO from 1999 until his retirement Jan. 31, 2020. He served as a director of Calavo for 39 years — 28 as chairman of the board.

“On behalf of Calavo and all of our employees, we thank Brian for all his efforts and wish him success in his future endeavors,” said

The North American Blueberry Council has selected Alyssa Houtby as its government affairs director. In this newly created role, Houtby will lead the council’s advocacy efforts and will work closely with Monument Advocacy, NABC’s Washington, DC-based lobbying firm.

“I’m excited to have Alyssa’s federal affairs experience, relationships and passion for agriculture in support of the blueberry industry going forward,” said NABC President Kasey Cronquist. “Having our first-ever government affairs director on board is a game changer for the council and for the stakeholders we represent.”

Prior to

Fresh Taste Produce has named Roselyn Mansi to the position of director of sales, tropical produce, based in Montreal.

Roselyn is well established in the produce industry with 15 years experience in increasingly senior sales roles at Del Monte Produce, specializing in relationship management and retail excellence. She has developed and managed extensive programs in pineapples, avocados, melons, grapes, stone fruit, tomatoes and bananas across North America.

“We are excited to have Roselyn join our team. Her knowledge and expertise will provide further value with our customers and partners

Though Paul J. DiMare Sr. started his produce career at the family’s wholesale operation in Boston, he made his biggest mark in the Florida tomato industry, earning the nickname Mr. Tomato along the way.

DiMare was born on April 14, 1941, in Boston, destined to join the family business that had been started 13 years earlier by his father, Anthony, and his two uncles, Dominic and Joseph. The trio started with a pushcart business in the streets of Boston but quickly grew into a repacking and wholesale operation adjacent to the Boston Terminal Market.

DiMare worked in the business as a teenager