The Southeast Produce Council has named Faye Westfall, a longtime member of the fresh produce industry who has been directly involved with the council since its earliest days, to the SEPC board of governors.

She joins BOG Chairman Bobby Creel of L&M Cos. Inc., along with Garry Bergstrom (retired) of Publix Supermarkets, Mark Daniels of the Idaho Potato Commission, Gordon Hochberg of The Produce News, Andrew Scott of Nickey Gregory Co. and John Shuman of Shuman Farms. Al Finch of Florida Classic Growers had served as a governor until his death on June 21, 2022. Westfall officially joined the

Jane Bi has joined GLOBALG.A.P. North America as its buyer relations manager. In her new role, Bi will work to increase market recognition and acceptance of GLOBALG.A.P. products and services by promoting the range of solutions among buyers in this region.

“I’m thrilled to join the passionate and diverse GLOBALG.A.P. team with its wealth of expertise in bringing good agricultural practices into reality,” said Bi. “I look forward to helping connect certified responsible farmers and buyers to achieve the shared goal of delivering safe food to global consumers.”

Born and raised in rural

Two of Hy-Vee's key executive leaders — Kevin Sherlock and Georgia Van Gundy — will take on additional responsibilities as Hy-Vee continues to evolve. Sherlock will serve as chief operating officer while Van Gundy was promoted to chief of staff.

A longtime Hy-Vee executive, Sherlock will spearhead Hy-Vee’s retail grocery operations. Sherlock’s Hy-Vee career began in 1986 as a part-time courtesy clerk at the North Dodge Street Hy-Vee in Iowa City. After working in several markets, he was named assistant director at the Agency Street Hy-Vee in Burlington, IA. He was given his first store

United Natural Foods Inc. announced that Ron Selders has been named president of fresh, where he will lead the company’s growth strategy for its deli, bakery, produce and meat departments. These critically important store perimeter categories drive traffic and provide independent grocery retailers with choice, value and unique products that help differentiate them within their marketplace. Selders’ appointment is effective Dec. 26, and he will report to Steve Dietz, UNFI’s chief customer officer.

“Food retailers continue to invest in their fresh departments as they represent one of the most

Jan DeLyser, a longtime produce industry leader and trailblazer, has announced her plan to retire from the California Avocado Commission in early 2023 after 24 years of service. The commission is searching for a replacement, with DeLyser’s expected retirement date to be mid-February 2023.

“California avocados have been a significant part of my life for nearly a quarter of a century, and my entire adulthood has revolved around the produce world that I love,” said DeLyser, who is retiring as CAC’s vice president marketing. “Now, I’m looking forward to new experiences, more time with family, and

TOMRA Food appointed Paul Slupecki as senior vice president, head of TOMRA Fresh Food. This follows the reorganization of TOMRA Food into two business areas, TOMRA Fresh Food and TOMRA Processed Food. TOMRA Fresh Food is a global leader for in integrated packhouse solutions for fresh fruit and vegetables. These solutions include sorting, grading, peeling, analytical and packing technologies.

Slupecki was previously TOMRA Fresh Food’s vice president, head of global sales. He was instrumental in developing TOMRA’s Fresh Food activities since joining the company in 2019, leading direct