<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Vancouver, B.C -</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">01.08.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Oppy is starting off the new year with a bang with the proclamation of four sales promotions.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">According to David Smith, Senior vice president of sales and categories, the four promoted team members are Garland Jaeger, Derek Lenko, Matthew Giddings, and Leslie Germain. Their new roles are directed at amplifying customer relationships and making new business for the full-service produce marketer and distributor.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/oppy010813body.jpg" alt="01082013" />(Matthew Giddings and Garland Jaeger)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We are pleased to announce these changes to our sales team to keep pace with our growing sales,” he said. “The promotions of these qualified individuals will enhance our service to customers throughout the U.S. and in Canada.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In Oppy’s Chino Hills, CA office, Garland Jaeger has been promoted from from sales intern to business development representative, emphasizing in foodservice sales. She will establish tailored marketing promotions with Northern California retailers, and the focal point on national foodservice sales opportunities. According to a press release, Jaegar started working at Oppy after completing her Master’s degree in Agribusiness from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June, 2012. She worked in food service sales at Francis Produce in Greenville, S.C. from the Fall of 2010 through all of 2011.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“As the business development representative for Northern California, I plan to focus on the strong retail relationships we have already established in that region,” she said. “At the same time, my efforts will be dedicated to growing our food service business across the country, seeking opportunities to place more Oppy items into that arena.” This is the first time Oppy has devoted a business development resource specifically to the foodservice sector.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Derek Lenko has been promoted from transportation supervisor to new sales representative in Oppy’s Calgary, Alberta office. This will bolster its presence in Canada’s prairie provinces. Lenko joined Oppy in 2007, and held different positions within the company, such as Operations Coordinator and Transportation Coordinator over the last few years.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Being a part of the sales team will be very interesting because it’s such a fast paced, diverse group of people who all bring different skills and knowledge to the table,” Lenko said. “I am looking forward to doing my part to help the company grow by helping build our business in Alberta and beyond.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Matthew Giddings comes into his new sales role with operations experience as well. He was hired in June 2011 as a Sales and Coordinator in the Tampa, Florida office. He was also in operations at Fisher Capespan from May 2010 to May 2011, and in quality control for Westlake Produce before that. Giddings will now spend his time making sure his customers are satisfied and seeking new accounts. He is also the coordinator for Oppy’s new Florida strawberry line.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “I look forward to drawing from the experiences I have had in the previous positions I’ve held as I approach the new Oppy sales role,” he said. “As well, the new Florida berry program is right in the backyard of our Tampa office — it is exciting to deliver a regional program in addition to our world of others.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Oppy has also announced Leslie Germain’s promotion from sales assistant to sales administrator in the Houston office. Germain has been with Oppy for two and a half years, coming through at a high level in a small office that serves the central U.S.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “I will be shifting my focus more towards sales efforts and responsibilities, moving away from a primarily administrative role,” she said. “I’ll be more involved in managing current business and growing new business, by taking on new programs with our customers.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
