EPHRATA, PA - Four Seasons Produce is entering into 2018 sans two produce industry veterans that have capped off their long careers at the company. Wendell Hahn, VP of Business Development, and Ray Taglialatela, Retail Services Manager, have both announced they will be retiring at the end of December 2017.
Hahn, who began his career with Four Seasons Produce in 1992, has had a slew of successful produce positions at retail chains such as Grand Union and Food-a-Rama, both in the Baltimore-Washington DC area. In his role with Four Seasons, the company says Wendell was instrumental in helping to build a formal program to serve independent retailers and regional chain stores, including creating a produce merchandising team to serve both fields. He has served in numerous roles with Four Seasons, including Retail Services Manager, Director of Sales, General Manager, and, most recently, VP of Business Development. He has also actively served on the Board of the Eastern Produce Council.
“Wendell’s retail background and industry connections, combined with his confident personality, has always allowed him to approach opportunities and challenges with a positive outlook. No responsibility has been too daunting for him,” says David Hollinger, Founder and Chairman of the company. “When Wendell joined, not only did we gain a hardworking associate, but he brought his extensive knowledge as a true ‘produce guy.’ I could count on him to take care of whatever needed done, especially for our retailers and to build our business. He is reliable, optimistic, and never complains about anything. He has represented our company well.”
In a press release, the company also noted that Hahn has taken the reins in cultivating and mentoring the next generation of leaders at Four Seasons Produce, made evident by his commitment to the educational growing region tours he organizes each year to the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys of California.
“Wendell is a bridge builder and has paved the way for many people to succeed,” said Ron Carkoski, President & CEO. “One thing that you’ll notice right away about Wendell is his warmth. I’ve enjoyed developing a strong friendship and professional relationship with Wendell. He’s known for his ability to empathize with customers, associates, and suppliers because he understands all the things that they are going through. He also has a great sense of humor!”
Taglialatela, on the other hand, has been with Four Seasons Produce as the Retail Services Manager since 2004, after holding produce leadership roles at Acme Markets, Genuardi’s Family Markets, and Super Fresh.
Affectionately known to many as “Ray-Tag,” the company says, Taglialatela used his retail experience to help guide the Four Seasons team through the transition of being solely focused on merchandising support, to traditional independent supermarkets, and then to helping natural food stores and food co-ops as well. During his time with the company, Four Seasons’ merchandising coverage has spread beyond its reach in the Mid-Atlantic to customers in the New York Metro area and parts of New England.
“Ray cares deeply about individuals and the success of our retailers,” shared Carkoski. “He has built a strong respect with retailers because of his direct experience and his ability to teach what he knows.”
Taglialatela also shares a passion for both people and produce, resulting in him taking a mentorship role in helping to coach up-and-coming professionals within Four Seasons Produce and its customers.
“Ray’s many years of retail experience has provided invaluable leadership to our merchandising team since he first joined our company,” Hollinger says. “He has often commented that he wished he was younger so that he could have had the opportunity to work with the up-and-coming leaders here at Four Seasons.”
As Wendell Hahn and Ray Taglialatela both say farewell to the team at Four Seasons, AndNowUKnow would like to wish both men well when they enter this new chapter!
