The Colombia Avocado Board met Oct. 17 for its annual meeting to elect four new board members — two importers and two exporters.   

New to the nine-member board of directors is Carlos Andres Londoño, CAB exporter director from Jardin Exotics.

Current Members who were re-elected include Kellen Newhouse, CAB treasurer and importer director from West Pak Avocado Inc.; Sergio Plata Ortiz, CAB vice chair and exporter director from Baika Fruit.; and Dustin Hahn, CAB importer director from Naturipe Avocados.

The board consists of nine director members who each serve a two-year term and can be re

Chestnut Hill Farms, one of the largest vertically integrated importers of fresh pineapples in North America with substantial farming operations in Costa Rica, announced leadership changes to its executive team and advisory board.

Effective Dec. 1, Peter Leifermann joined Chestnut Hill Farms and will be leading the company as president and chief operating officer.

Leifermann will be working closely with the Chestnut Hill Farms leadership team and advisory board, as well as Trond S. Jensen, who remains as CEO and chairman of the advisory board.

“We are very enthusiastic about Peter joining

Karen Hearn, vice president of marketing at the California Table Grape Commission, passed away on Nov. 24 after a battle with cancer.

Hearn dedicated nearly 26 years of service to the California table grape industry, playing a pivotal role in the growth of innovative retail programs in the United States and Canada, helping to move California grape volume season after season. Her steadfast dedication to the industry stemmed from a lifelong desire to help farmers succeed.

“Karen was a special person,” said Kathleen Nave, commission president. “She loved her work; loved representing growers and

During the Idaho Potato Commission's October meeting, two new commissioners were sworn in: Brian Lundquist of Idahoan Foods LLC and Klaren Koompin, a grower in American Falls. Each will each serve three-year terms. Brian Jones of Sun Valley Potatoes was sworn in for his second term. 

“The Idaho potato brand is one of the most well-known and respected brands in the world primarily due to industry leaders like Brian, Brian and Klaren,” said Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the IPC. “Strengthening the Idaho potato brand is our mission every single day. We’ve got a great year ahead of us, and I

The Kroger Co. announced that Stuart Aitken is stepping down as senior vice president, chief merchandising and marketing officer, to pursue other professional opportunities; Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger's senior vice president of operations, will succeed him. Aitken will remain in his role at Kroger through Dec. 31.

"Mary Ellen is a respected leader both within Kroger and our industry," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Her deep strategic experience in her past 25 years with Kroger in roles of increasing responsibility will continue to drive value for customers and growth for our

Two accomplished leaders have joined Consalo Family Farms and will play key roles in driving the company’s growth and expansion: Jay Schneider, executive vice president of sales and procurement, and Casey Kio, executive vice president of global business.

Schneider brings more than 30 years of experience to Consalo. His previous roles include a 25-year career at Acme Markets, where he held the position of produce director and advanced to director of merchandising for the Mid-Atlantic Division. Schneider later served as head of buying/marketplace for Gorillas US, head of sales East Coast at