GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - With over two decades of leadership experience to her name, Jennifer Beugelmans is taking on Dollar General’s Vice President of Investor Relations and Public Relations role, effective this week. In her new role, Beugelmans will oversee the company’s investor relations, public relations, corporate communications, and community initiatives functions.
"Jennifer brings more than 20 years of experience and expertise to Dollar General, and we are excited to welcome her to our team," said John Garratt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, in a recent press release. "Her broad experience and proven track record will support Dollar General's award-winning investor relations program, support the company's initiatives, and further our position as a leader in our sector."
After serving in leadership roles at Joel Frank, New York City-based Pure Communications, and EVC Group, Beugelmans joined Etsy’s team, taking on the roles of Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, Interim Vice President of Communications, and, most recently, Vice President of Investor Relations. While with Etsy, she was responsible for establishing an investor relations team following the company’s initial public offering in 2015.
Congratulations, Jennifer Beugelmans, on your new position! For more news like this, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
VALENCIA, CA – Some things just get better with age. Proving this is Sunkist Growers’ 124th annual meeting, held on February 1st, which summarized the organization’s strong performance in 2017. It also seated the 26-member Board of Directors for this coming year.
“Careful and well-orchestrated management of last year’s crops, along with coordinated sales and marketing strategies, allowed us to achieve steady movement and strong pricing in 2017,” said President & CEO Russell Hanlin, according to a recent press release. “Last season’s performance resulted in record member payments of nearly $1.2 billion dollars, the highest in our history.”
The organization is looking to take on key strategic initiatives so as to preserve its industry leadership and competitive returns to grower members. Management for Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply (FGS) have also been consolidated, improving fiscal performance and the service to both organizations’ constituencies.
“Sunkist’s board and management continues to proactively evaluate opportunities to maximize efficiencies within the organization,” said re-elected Chairman for Sunkist’s Board of Directors Gerald Denni. “The management consolidation of Sunkist and FGS underway has been positive, and we are very optimistic about the synergistic benefits that this shared services model will afford both companies moving forward.”
The organization is primed for success with the additional supporting revenue streams stemming from its for-profit business’s great 2017 performance.
“We have tremendous optimism for the future of the Sunkist cooperative,” said Denni. “We have made many positive organizational changes, and also gained significant acreage last year that will further establish Sunkist as the leader in the fresh citrus industry.”
With the meeting just behind us, how will the newly seated, and some newly re-seated, Board of Directors push the organization’s success even further this coming quasquicentennial year? AndNowUKnow looks forward to finding out!
KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce has been named among Canada’s Best Managed Companies once again, celebrating nearly a decade on the list of one of the country’s leading business award programs.
“Receiving this honor for the ninth consecutive year is a testament to the drive and determination of all our employees,” CEO Paul Mastronardi explained. “Thanks to our passionate and innovative team, we introduced some of our most creative products in our history. I’m grateful for their contributions and proud to share this recognition with them.”
Now in its 25th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the caliber of their management abilities and practices, according to a press release.
“Well-run companies are important to the economic health of our country. These companies serve as role models to help make all Canadian businesses better,” said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte, and Co-Leader for Canada’s Best Managed Companies.
The 2018 Best Managed program award winners are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability, and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. The program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group, and MacKay CEO Forums.
In 2017, Mastronardi Produce launched several new, innovative products, including:
- The Sweet Bites® Pail
- The Sunset Flavor Bowl™
- The You Make Me™ line of pasta kits that contain a perfect portion of pasta for two (or a side dish for four) a spice packet, and fresh tomatoes that enable consumers to prepare a home cooked meal in 15 minutes or less
2018 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honored at the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 11, 2018. On that same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues key to the success of today’s business leaders.
Congratulations to the Mastronardi team on this latest achievement!
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Giumarra Companies has added to its expertise and sales reach with the welcoming of Jay Robinson, the company’s new Sales Manager for the Southeast division.
With over 20 years of produce sales and marketing experience, Robinson offers connections and know-how to his new team.
“I’m excited to join the Giumarra Companies, and I look forward to the upcoming season,” Robinson said in a press release. “There are some great opportunities that lie ahead with such a strong company, and I’m pleased to be part of our growth in the Giumarra Southeast division.”
Robinson most recently worked as Sales Specialist and Organic Commodity Manager for L&M Companies. In this new position, Robinson will be responsible for helping Giumarra Southeast expand its product line, as well as overseeing existing customer accounts and developing new business.
In addition to its new offering of organic Vidalia onions this year, Giumarra Southeast said it plans to introduce imported citrus to its lineup this summer on the East Coast.
“Jay’s comprehensive product and market knowledge will be integral in our initiative to expand our business,” says Stu Monaghan, Division Manager of Giumarra Southeast. “Last year, we launched Nature’s Partner Vidalia® and Peruvian sweet onions. This year, we’re adding Nature’s Partner-branded organic Vidalia sweet onions and look to continue expanding our line of fruit and vegetables.”
Congratulations, Jay Robinson, on this new opportunity in your produce career!
STILLWATER, MN – 'Tis the season for new beginnings, or so says the weather—and apparently SuperValu's Cub® got the memo. With 46,000-square-feet to fill, the company announced in a recent press release that it found its newest home in Minneapolis at 46th and Hiawatha Avenue.
“This store brings a great new concept to the CUB portfolio, as it will be our first store embedded into a residential complex,” said Anne Dament, Executive Vice President of Retail, Marketing, and Private Brands, under which Cub resides. “We're evolving our look and feel while showcasing new shopping innovations for a better experience for our customers. We feel this new format CUB is a perfect fit for this neighborhood.”
The design for the new urban grocery store, which is set to open the spring of next year, is pulling out all the stops, anchoring a five-story, 148-unit apartment development by Excelsior-based Oppidan Investment Company.
Its curb appeal is looking to allure the unique Longfellow neighborhood customers as they make their daily trek from the light rail train or along Hiawatha Avenue. The company will also enjoy the access a future multi-use path connecting Minnehaha Falls to the Midtown Greenway will provide.
The store hopes to attract many different kinds of consumers, with a goal of catering to traditional and time-strapped shoppers. Its versatile and modern design will include a large deli area with Quick and Easy®, as well as made-to-order meal options, a popcorn shop similar to that of a theater, a farmers’ market-style produce area, a heightened floral gift section, and a pharmacy.
“We're very excited to see the culmination of over a year of planning and development,” said Vice President of Oppidan Investment Company Drew Johnson. “CUB has done a great job responding to and incorporating stakeholder feedback into their store design. The finished project will be a tremendous asset to the neighborhood.”
To invite more customers into the space to work or relax, Cub plans for different entrances and an indoor café-style area, curating its appeal to fit in with a variety of lifestyles. Further, the design includes a spacious outdoor seating area and bicycle parking. But, for those on-the-go customers, the store also boasts a walk-up window to purchase coffee, ice cream, and signature cookie sandwiches, which may be enjoyed on the spot—or on the road!
How will this new store design inspire other retailers to create spaces unique for their customers? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest industry trends.
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited J.E. Corcoran Company, Crafton, PA, for failure to pay for produce.
According to a recent USDA press release, the company failed to pay $2,521,981 to 41 sellers for 585 lots of produce from December 2014 to June 2016. This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). As a result of these actions, J.E. Corcoran Company cannot operate in the produce industry until February 21, 2020, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principals, Anthony J. Vivirito, Jr., Anthony P. Vivirito and Linda V. Sasinoski, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until February 21, 2019, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
CASHMERE, WA – Crunch Pak® has announced the addition of three new members to its national sales team. The premier provider of value-added apples has added two new sales executives and a sales associate to expand the company’s sales services.
“We’re excited to add this talent to our team and expand the personalized service we provide to our customers,” said Bob Haarhues, Director of Sales and Marketing, in a press release.
Cindy Grissom and Ben Cope have joined the company as its new sales executives and TeiAnna Mayer has joined Crunch Pak as a sales associate. All three will report to Haarhues in their new roles.
Grissom brings several years of experience in the apple industry to her new role—including stints at Dovex Fruit Company and Stemilt Growers. Crunch Pak noted that Grissom’s customer list includes companies in the retail, club and natural food channels.
Cope joins Crunch Pak from a position where he served as the global supply chain and logistics manager for a natural foods company in Seattle. Additionally, Cope worked several years in the outdoor industry in a variety of areas including sales and rock climbing instruction.
Mayer has been in the apple industry for more than 15 years with Stemilt Growers and has previous experience in retail and medicine as well.
We here at AndNowUKnow congratulate Cindy, Ben, and TeiAnna on their new positions, and we wish them the best in working with Crunch Pak.
WATSONVILLE, CA – Monterey Mushrooms has entered into a partnership with Shannon Garcia, a pediatric dietitian, food blogger, and social media influencer for the launch of its newest product, Let’s Blend, in San Antonio.
Let’s Blend is a value-added product, which includes finely diced mushrooms, seasoned and ready to blend with ground meat. The 8 oz products are available in three flavors: Classic, Mexican, and Italian. The Let’s Blend product is intended to grant even the most novice chef success in the kitchen.
“People want to eat better without giving up flavor and texture, but not everyone is comfortable in the kitchen,” Roberts said. “Shannon uses multiple platforms to reach shoppers in an important market for us.”
On her blog, KISS in the Kitchen, Shannon features easy, healthy recipes. Together with Monterey Mushrooms, Shannon created a Facebook Live episode, which was executed in the format of a TV segment and which contains a Let’s Blend recipe demo. In addition to the Facebook promotion, Shannon will take over the company's Instagram with nutrition and recipe tips for incorporating mushrooms into a daily diet. Finally, Shannon will cook with Let’s Blend during a segment on Great Day SA, which is set to air on the local San Antonio CBS television station.
“We are looking forward to measuring the lift these activities will have on sales and learning from the experience about how we can best roll out to other markets,” Roberts said.
To watch Shannon cook up a storm with the new product, tune into KENS channel 5 on March 8th at 9 a.m. CT, or catch Shannon’s live stream from 10 a.m. to noon CT on March 9th and her Instagram takeover the same day!
SEATTLE, WA - Greg Greeley, Vice President of Amazon Prime Worldwide, has announced plans to leave the company after an 18-year tenure with the company. The executive announced plans to part with the retailer in a Linkedin post this week.
“It’s hard to believe it has been over 18 years since I joined Amazon. It has been an amazing and inspirational experience, but the time has come for me take on a different challenge,” wrote Greeley. “It was Jeff Bezos’ heartfelt 1997 Letter to Shareholders that ultimately drew me to Amazon, and I have not regretted that decision for even a nanosecond. That letter described a unique approach for a public company, and the vision it contained was even more powerful than I fully understood at the time. With a relentless focus on customers and eight clearly defined long-term principles, it has been the foundation for a phenomenal business, and I truly believe, even now, it is still Day 1.”
Greeley held a number of executive positions during his time with Amazon, including Vice President—European Consumer Business for Amazon EU and Vice President—International Expansions. Greeley also served on the boards of various companies and organizations during those 18 years, including USC Viterbi School of Engineering and LOVEFiLM.
“Those who have read that letter know it speaks of employees joining with the desire to build something that matters to customers, something we can tell our grandchildren about,” Greeley added. “That has certainly been the case for me, and is still the case for those joining today. Amazon is a company where you really can help invent the future, a company where builders can build, a company where you have a unique opportunity to work hard, have fun, and make history.”
Greeley ended his statement by noting his thankfulness to Amazon’s team members—though the departing executive did not stipulate what the “different challenge” to which he was moving on would be.
News of Greeley’s departure follows less than a month after Amazon announced plans to consolidate its Amazon Prime Now and AmazonFresh divisions and news that Amazon Prime Now’s two-hour delivery services would be available at a growing number of Whole Foods locations.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with more important retail news.
MISSOULA, MT – Produce marketing veteran Krista Jones has joined the Spiker Communications team, the company announced this week. In her new role, Jones will join the company in a business development capacity, working with clients on brand strategy, product development, and overall marketing activities.
“I’m looking forward to using all the experience I’ve gained for a new set of produce clients. I am passionate about the produce business, and this is a great time to be part of Spiker Communications,” Jones said, according to the company’s press release.
In a previous role, Jones led marketing efforts at Crunch Pak—where, for six years, she was responsible for product development and execution, brand strategy, advertising and public relations, social media content, retail promotional events, and trade show participation. She also managed relationships with the company’s many licensing partners, including the NBA, the New York Yankees, Marvel, and Disney—and earned several marketing awards for the company. Jones has also served on several committees for United Fresh, including the marketing and merchandising executive committees and the new opportunities committees.
“We are thrilled to have Krista’s marketing experience coupled with her produce industry insight as part of our team,” said Wes Spiker, President of Spiker Communications. “We are gaining clients in the produce industry, and Krista is the right person to service that business and lead our program.”
In addition to her work in the produce world, Jones recently worked with a promotional agency, putting to use experience in apparel marketing she gained from her tenure at the Nordstrom Product Group and Cutter and Buck.
Jones will work remotely from her Wenatchee, Washington, home—in close proximity to West Coast grower/shippers, the company noted.
We at AndNowUKnow congratulate Krista on her new role and wish her and Spiker Communications the best in their future endeavors.