Ippolito International hired Neftaly Vargas, account manager, to its sales team. Vargas joins the company recently from Braga Fresh, where she focused on value-added programs and supported customer relations and account growth. Prior to that, Vargas’ work experience includes tenure at Tanimura & Antle, initially in the finance area then moving into foodservice and retail sales roles.

"Joining Ippolito International is exciting and a very good fit for me,” Vargas said. “I’m motivated to work with this energized and talented group. As this industry has seen, Ippolito International’s top priority

F&S Fresh Foods has appointed Tony Freytag as chief strategy officer and a member of the senior leadership team.

In this role, Freytag will work with the executive team to help shape the company’s strategic direction and accelerate profitable growth across fresh produce and other value-added food categories.

Freytag, co-founder and former executive vice president of Crunch Pak, is recognized as a produce industry pioneer for his work in developing the $700 million apple-snack category. He is also a prominent industry advocate, previously serving as chairman for the United Fresh Produce

Church Brothers Farms CEO Brian Church has been named the 2026 Agricultural Leadership honoree by the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture in the Salinas Valley through leadership, innovation and community involvement. Church will be recognized at the Chamber’s 105th Annual Awards Luncheon on April 9.

Church Brothers Farms, a family-owned grower-shipper headquartered in the Salinas Valley, was founded in 1999 by Tom and Steve Church. Built on generations of farming experience, the company has grown into a

Food Export USA has added two new team members: Danyelle Thornton as marketing manager and Austin Warner as liaison. Both will be based out of Food Export’s Philadelphia office.

Thornton joins Food Export with more than eight years of experience in growth marketing, CRM strategy and digital engagement. She has led integrated marketing initiatives across mission-driven organizations, with a focus on audience development, lifecycle marketing and data-informed storytelling. In her role as marketing manager, Thornton will lead the organization’s marketing strategy, including digital engagement and

Affinity Sales-Retail has announced the recent hiring of Shayne Gordon as director of produce, New England.

Gordon has nearly 40 years of produce sales experience throughout the Northeast. He has had success for many years as a regional manufacturer’s representative and broker and is knowledgeable in all aspects of the industry.

He has a passion for building new produce brands as well as expansion of established brands.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Gordon is an avid New England sports fan and enjoys golf in his spare time. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two

BJ’s Wholesale Club named Stephanie Reibling executive vice president, chief merchandising officer, effective immediately.

Reibling will lead the company’s merchandising organization, playing a critical role in driving BJ’s merchandising transformation and delivering continued growth across categories. Reibling will report to Paul Cichocki, executive vice president, chief commercial officer.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Stephanie to BJ’s Wholesale Club,” Cichocki said. “Her experience in retail and merchandising will be invaluable as we evolve our assortment, build BJ's own brands and advance our