BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. announced that Rachael Vegas joined the company as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer. Vegas will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the company’s merchandising and assortment planning and allocation functions, and will report to Paul Cichocki, executive vice president, chief commercial officer.

“We remain committed to delivering unbeatable value with a best-in-class merchandising assortment that will exceed our members’ expectations," said Cichocki. “We’re thrilled to have Rachael join our team. Her diverse background and deep

After leading the Washington Apple Education Foundation as its executive director for 20 years, Jennifer Witherbee has announced her intent to step down at the end of March 2022.  

Witherbee shared that the timing of her departure has much to do with the current health of the organization: “WAEF is in a great place with loyal donor support, a strong staff, involved industry leaders on the board of directors, and a proven track record.  I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of WAEF for 20 years and couldn’t feel more proud of the impact we’ve had on thousands of students

A woman’s work is never done. Just ask Myra Gordon. But that’s never bothered her. In fact, she thrives in a busy work environment. After all, one has to when they spend 35 years working at the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, NY.

“I originally started working part-time at the Hunts Point Market in 1986,” she shared with The Produce News. Her youngest daughter at the time was still at home, and she noted how important it was for her to balance her work and family life while raising kids. In 1988, Gordon began working full-time at the market, and hasn’t looked back since.

“I was

Western Growers Senior Vice President, Science De Ann Davis, PhD, will serve a second two-year term as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.

The committee provides impartial scientific advice to federal agencies to use in developing integrated food safety systems from farm to table and to ensure food safety in domestic and imported foods.

Davis, who joined Western Growers in 2020, was picked based on her extensive expertise in food-safety related issues. She has more than 25 years of experience in the development and execution of technical global

Ryan Baird has joined the Bobalu Berries sales team, which is led by Anthony Gallino, vice president of sales. Baird has been in the produce industry for 20 years on the buy side previously with C.H. Robinson and Foodsource providing a strong base of industry knowledge and allowing him to complement the team already in place.

“We are excited about adding Ryan to our team as a sales account manager before we finish out our fall season and begin building our 2022 program with key customers.  The timing is perfect for him to be in on strategic meetings with our trading partners as we finalize

Three Publix officers have been promoted, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to support the company’s growth and expanding initiatives: Chris Haake, business development director of grocery retail support, will be promoted to vice president of replenishment and purchasing support; Kyle Davis, director of warehousing, will be promoted to vice president of distribution; and Merriann Metz, vice president, general counsel and secretary, will be promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Davis, 59, began his career in 1988 at the Miami warehouse. He worked in various positions before