JOH has hired Susan Marshall as retail director for the Pittsburgh/Cleveland region.

Marshall joins JOH with more than 30 years of experience managing sales teams and driving growth. She began her career as a sales representative and later served as a sales supervisor at a leading regional food broker, where she developed a team of sales representatives. Most recently, as sales manager, Marshall led a multi-market team across Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Columbus, OH, successfully implementing comprehensive sales plans and executing new product launches.

“Susan brings a strong track record of

For nearly three decades, Pat Tucker has helped shape the modern melon business while building Legend Produce into one of the industry’s most respected operations. Now, after 27 years at the helm, the company’s co-founder is stepping away from day-to-day operations, closing a chapter defined by hard work, relationships and a deep commitment to the produce community.

Tucker founded Scottsdale, AZ-based Legend Produce in 1999 alongside business partners Barry Zwillinger and Jack Cancellieri with a shared vision grounded in hard work, respect, integrity and meaningful relationships. Over the years

Lipman Family Farms welcomed José Manuel Madero Garza to its board of directors. With decades of leadership experience across the United States, Asia, Latin America and Europe, Madero will help strengthen Lipman’s operations as a fourth-generation, family-owned produce company. He will also support its focus on long-term growth and strategic investments.

Madero is currently the founder and managing partner of BIZWP SC (Mexico City), where he advises organizations on corporate strategy, financial discipline, organizational effectiveness and good governance. He also serves on the boards of

Brookshire Grocery Co. Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire has retired, concluding 49 years with the company, including 20 as chairman of the board and 10 as CEO.

Jerry LeClair will assume the role of interim CEO. LeClair joined the company as executive vice president – chief merchant officer in 2019 and has more than 40 years in the grocery business. LeClair was promoted to chief operating officer last year and has led retail operations, marketing, category management, merchandising, fuel, logistics and facility services.

Brookshire is the grandson of company founder W.T. Brookshire. Under his

The produce industry has lost one of its great characters and most trusted hands with the death of Gerry Gaston on Feb. 18 at the age of 83.

Born Feb. 11, 1943, in Kirkland Lake, a northern Ontario mining town that he famously referred to as “the center of the universe,” Mr. Gaston lived a life defined by integrity, loyalty and an unwavering belief that business is, above all else, about people.

Mr. Gaston devoted 28 years to Vancouver-based fresh produce grower, marketer and distributor Oppy. He began his career behind the wheel as a delivery driver, bringing fresh produce to local customers

The International Fresh Produce Association has named Dr. Eric Stevens vice president of food safety and regulatory affairs, a role in which he will lead the group’s global efforts to shape policy in those areas.

Stevens, who starts March 18, will serve as a key liaison to U.S. regulatory and food safety agencies and strengthen engagement with global and regional standard-setting bodies. He will also support member needs through technical expertise and strategic collaboration with internal teams and external coalitions.

“Eric brings a valuable combination of deep scientific expertise and global