Cheryl Hoefs has joined Mission Produce Inc. as senior vice president of sales and marketing to support the company’s overarching corporate strategy and to drive profitable growth. In addition, Mission promoted several senior leaders within the sales department, including Brooke Becker, Patrick Cortes and Hector Soltero to vice president positions, and Roberto Rodriguez to director of international exports.

“Mission is strategically developing its sales and marketing departments to enhance our ability to meet and exceed customer expectations and create value-added solutions,” said Tim Bulow

International Fresh Produce Association announced the members of the 2022-23 Produce Industry Leadership Program Class 27. IFPA introduced the 12 members of Class 27 during The Global Produce & Floral Show. Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, the leadership program was launched in 1995 and has graduated more than 300 program participants.

"We are thrilled to welcome the newest class of the Produce Industry Leadership Program. Class 27 comprises a great mix of up-and-coming leaders throughout the fresh produce industry,” said Nikki Wootten, education and program manager of talent for IFPA. “We

Saul Macias is the newest member of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. He joins the company as the communications coordinator.  Macias will continue to heighten the FPAA’s communication efforts with members, industry fellows and the public.

“We are excited to add Saul to our team and look forward to the energy and innovation he will bring to our communications efforts,” said Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president.  “We have expanded our presence on major social media outlets over the last year, and we have overhauled our member communications as well. Saul is well positioned to continue

Church Bros. appointed Jennifer Sanchez to the role of director of planning and data integrity, effective immediately.

In a personnel move designed to support Church Bros.’ desire to increase utilization of technology in its crop planning, customer service and revenue management activities, the company has moved Sanchez into this newly created role. She has played an integral role at Church Brothers over the past two years as director of corporate marketing.

In addition to her marketing responsibilities, Sanchez has also stepped into projects that focus on streamlining processes and ensuring

David Lundstrom, a seasoned veteran of the Mexican fruit and vegetable deal, has joined Delta Fresh Sales LLC.  He will be working from the Nogales, AZ, sales office as its new category manager. 

“We are super enthused to have David join us," said Atanasio Panousopuolos, Delta owner and CEO. "We already have the very best tomato in North America for eight months out of the year, and now we are expanding our lineup and adding an aggressive value added program as well as a new spring grape deal with sought after proprietary varieties and winter blueberries. Having David’s talent, expertise

Western Growers is welcoming the seventh class of Future Volunteer Leaders, a group that will be embedded in specialized networking and agricultural leadership development events with the organization for the next two years.

Members of the class will be invited to participate in all regular Western Growers board meeting functions for the next two years, in addition to standalone farm tours with WG board members and trainings with the organization's subject matter experts.

In 2011, Western Growers welcomed its inaugural class of Future Volunteer Leaders. The competitively selected Future