Limoneira Co., a diversified citrus growing, packing, selling and marketing company with related agribusiness activities and real estate development operations,  announced organizational changes to its marketing department.

John Chamberlain, who served the company for over 15 years, in his most recent role as vice president of marketing, retired Dec. 30. “We express our collective gratitude to John Chamberlain for his years of marketing leadership and dedicated service to Limoneira,” said Harold Edwards, Limoneira president and CEO.

Marketing Manager Michael Gonzales, who has been with the

Robert R. Glasser, a member of the produce industry for more than 60 years, died peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 22. He was 87.

Mr. Glasser was born Nov. 20, 1933 in Los Angeles to Jacob and Rose Glasser. He joined his father in the family-owned food importing, processing and distribution business Torn & Glasser after graduating from UCLA and serving a two-year commitment with the US Army, first in in El Paso and then finishing in Hollywood.

For over 60 years, Mr. Glasser started his workday at 2 a.m., opening across from the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. He lived life to the fullest

Naturipe has named Alvaro G. Alezard as its new vice president of finance. In his new role, Alezard will manage Naturipe’s finance department and help implement strategies to optimize operational and financial performance.
 
With over 20 years of experience working as a global finance executive, Alezard will bring a new perspective to Naturipe. He will help continue to build the strength and efficiency of the accounting and finance department, streamline processes to improve productivity up and down the supply chain, and further strengthen revenue generation and profit margins.
 
“I’m

Carl Northam grew up in Shafter, CA, in the 1940s and 50s in the heart of the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, so it seemed only natural to look for a job on a ranch when he was first seeking employment in his late teens.

In 1960, Northam did, in fact, secure what he calls a “gopher” position with nearby Vignolo Farms. At the time, Vignolo Farms was a row crop operation growing alfalfa, cotton, wheat and beans.

“The founder, C.J. (Ted) Vignolo, was a personable fellow so I stayed around,” said Northam.

In those early years, Northam didn’t think much beyond the next day so he didn’t

Most people are lucky to find one great job, let alone two. Yet that descriptor defines the more than 40 years Roger Pepperl patrolled the produce sector, leaving his mark on both the buying and selling of fresh produce.

His career was split in half between Michigan and Washington and between retailer Meijer and fruit producer Stemilt. The common thread for Pepperl was that both jobs involved marketing, which he said is in the wheelhouse of his skill set. In fact, it was his marketing of cherries at the retail end that led to his position as a supply side marketer.

Though he was born in

Vanguard International has expanded their global sales team with the hiring of Ana Yanez in the role of sales associate.

Yanez will work out of the Vanguard International offices in Visalia, CA, and will be responsible for sales into Latin America and servicing customers in that market. 

“Vanguard’s exceptional global sourcing is a strength I am looking forward to bringing to our customers in the Latin American market, and I could not be more excited to join the Vanguard team,” shared Ana Yanez.

Yanez brings over six years of experience in the produce sales industry managing key accounts