Verdant Technologies announces the appointment of ag tech industry expert, Matthew Aronson, to the role of Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Aronson comes to Verdant from Apeel Sciences, most recently as Senior Director of Major Accounts. He will lead all sales activity for Verdant to guide global activation and growth, and report directly to Verdant CEO, Gordon Robertson.

“Matthew has a unique experience in shelf-life extension technology, having helped develop solutions to integrate the technology into customer operations – and managing those customers after implementation

Publix Super Markets announced the death of Carol Jenkins Barnett, former chair and president of Publix Super Markets Charities, and daughter of the company's founder, George W. Jenkins. She died Dec. 7 in her home surrounded by family. In 2016, she was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Ms. Jenkins Barnett, 65, was born and raised in Lakeland, FL. She began with Publix in 1972 as a cashier at Grove Park Shopping Center in Lakeland and later worked in Publix’s corporate marketing research and development department. In 1983, she was elected to the Publix board of directors

Nature Fresh Farms Director of Business Development Ray Wowryk is the recipient of this year’s Ontario Produce Marketing Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is given to an individual that has over many years demonstrated untiring efforts to improve the quality and distribution of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside the province of Ontario through innovation, cooperation and hard work.

“Its an honor to present this well-deserved Lifetime Achievement award to Ray. He has dedicated his life to the produce industry and although it is a small token of appreciation, it

In anticipation of the acquisition of Bashas’ Family of Stores later this month, Raley’s has announced that Laura Croff has been promoted to chief human resources officer of The Raley’s Cos., a newly formed enterprise that will oversee the organization’s independent operating divisions. Croff has served in various leadership capacities at Raley’s over the past 20 years, most recently as senior vice president of human resources.

“Laura is a proven leader with deep expertise and strategic vision,” said Keith Knopf, president and CEO of The Raley’s Cos. “We are fortunate to have such a talented

BrightFarms, a leading national player in growing indoor leafy greens, announced that Abby Prior has been promoted within the company to chief commercial officer. She will spearhead the newly formed commercial team, a convergence of the company's sales and marketing groups. The new structure will allow BrightFarms to grow rapidly over the next five years, expanding growing capacity tenfold to reach two-thirds of the U.S. population by 2025.

Prior was previously senior vice president of sales and marketing, and has spent a total of over six years with BrightFarms across business development

Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., hired Jeff Hutterer as director of value-added sales and Christa Schuck as sales representative.

As director of value-added sales, Hutterer will be responsible for developing value-added business for Ocean Mist Farms. Prior to accepting the position, Hutterer served as director of retail sales at Mann Packing. He earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN.

“We are glad to have Jeff join our team and to have his experience in developing our value-added business,”