HARTLAND, WI - A trifecta of new leaders is coming on the scene for communications agency C.O.nxt. Welcoming three talented members to the 100 percent employee-owned operation, the company is broadening its experience in the agriculture and food space.

First up on the list of appointments is Kendall Harshman, who joins the team as an Account Executive. According to a press release, Harshman’s extensive background in livestock production and fresh meat marketing makes her an exciting addition to the team of agriculture and food experts. The newly named Account Exec holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture communications with a minor in agriculture leadership from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Science in agriculture communications from Texas Tech.

Anna Grace Brown has also joined the team, taking on the role of Assistant Account Executive. Brown wields an impressive proficiency in account coordination and digital marketing as well as a lifelong involvement in the agriculture industry. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Joining as Media Planner and Buyer is Raizalyn Thompson. Thompson brings a wide range of media planning expertise to the team, with a strong emphasis on aligning offline and online efforts, the release noted. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Guam, where she ranked first in her graduating class.

Each of these leaders will play a critical role in advancing the food system-focused marketing agency’s brand and growth strategies.

Brittany Steuer, Executive Vice President of Client Services, commented on the recent appointments.

“We are delighted to announce the addition of these three outstanding employee-owners to our team,” said Steuer. “Kendall, Anna Grace, and Raizalyn all exemplify our commitment to enhancing our capabilities across our client services and media disciplines, ensuring we continue to deliver strategic counsel, excellent service, and impactful campaigns for our clients. These employee-owners bring with them a proven track record in agriculture and food marketing, continuing to bolster our team of farm kids and foodies.”

Congratulations to this continuously growing team!

ARLINGTON, VA - New leadership appointments continue to rain down with the latest coming from Lidl US. The retailer announced the appointment of four industry experts to its leadership team.

Of vital interest to our industry is the appointment of Tod Seiling, who was named as Vice President of Fresh. With almost 30 years of experience, Seiling will oversee all fresh food buying including meat, fish, poultry, and produce. Joining most recently from Save a Lot, where he served as VP of Fresh Merchandising, Seiling has spent his entire career in fresh food.

Seiling previously held roles at Walmart, Albertsons, Rouses Market, and Farmland Foods, a division of Smithfield Foods, among others. Seiling will report to Miguel Paradela.

Seiling's expertise will be crucial for the discount grocer as it continues to expand its fresh offerings.

Paradela was named to the role of Executive Vice President of Purchasing and Chief Commercial Officer. He will be responsible for setting the long-term strategy for the buying and merchandising function at Lidl US. Paradela has over 25 years of experience with the international grocer, where he most recently served as the General Manager of Purchasing and Marketing for Lidl Spain.

Next up is Frank Kerr, who has been named to the position of Lidl’s first-ever Chief Customer Officer. In this role, Kerr will be responsible for driving a holistic consumer experience. According to a press release, Kerr will bring all customer-centric activities together in this newly created team, which will include consumer insights, marketing, loyalty, and promotions. He has been in the United States grocery industry for over 20 years and has worked at major brands including Save A Lot and Nestle. Kerr will report to Paradela.

Finally, Michael Chao was named Head of Marketing. He will report to Kerr. Over the course of his career, Chao has held senior marketing roles for Dollar General and Walmart. At Lidl US, Chao will be responsible for driving brand awareness and customer loyalty as the business continues to grow in the U.S. market.

Lidl US Chief Executive Officer Joel Rampoldt commented on these new appointments.

“I am excited to welcome Miguel, Frank, Tod, and Michael to the team,” he remarked. “Their combined expertise, incredible leadership, and the work of their talented teams will be crucial to our success as we continue to deliver high-quality products at low prices for our customers. At Lidl, we are committed to boosting the customer experience at all of our stores, and having the right talent in place is necessary to achieve our goals.”

Congratulations to all the newest members of Lidl US!