<p>Global avocado packer-shipper Mission Produce is announcing the promotion of two employees within the company as well as a new hire.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" style="height:150px"src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/JakeNixon02.jpg" alt="021114" />Jake Nixon has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Engineering & Process Improvement, according to a press release. Jake began working for the company in August 2007, as Mission's Process Improvement & Project Manager. He provided the company with expertise in facility expansions, state-of-the-art efficiencies, cost reductions, safety programs and education on all processes.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img class="small-cropped-image" style="height:150px"src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/RonAraiza02.jpg" alt="021114" />Ron Araiza has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Sales. Ron’s originally began with the company in January 1997, where he has served at Mission as Director of Sales for 17 years. Ron currently oversees 20 sales representatives who source, manage and sell into avocado markets in North America, South America, and Europe. Araiza has helped to implement a national ripe program. Mission's ripe program allowed the company to be a leader in supplying retailers with ripe avocados across the US. This resulted in sales growth of up to 300% for retailers. Ron also serves as an alternate board member on the California Avocado Commission.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Prior to joining Mission Produce in 1997, he spent over 12 years practicing Law in California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University. Ron passed the California State Bar and has been a member since 1985.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">VP of Sales & Marketing, Ross Wileman said, "This was a well deserved promotion based on Ron’s 17 years of high level performance."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Agustin Lacayo has been hired to the position of Vice President of Packing Operations for Mission’s facilities in California, Mexico and Peru.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" style="height:150px" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/AgustinForMedia02.jpg" alt="021114" />Agustin was previously hired by Paramount Citrus Association in 1995 and served as a post-harvest technician and manager. In 1996 he was named Plant Manager of Lemon Operations. From 1997 to 2004 he served as Plant Manager for Orange Operations and from 2004 to 2007 he was Director of Citrus Packing Operations. He was then promoted to General Manager of Production and Inventory in 2008 and to Senior Director of Citrus Packing Operations – Texas Division, in 2013.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">President and CEO, Steve Barnard said, “Mission continues to grow in the avocado category and with 13 facilities in 6 countries and 7 states, it was essential to have a standard of processes and management tools. With Agustin’s experience in packing operations and Jakes background in engineering and process improvement, Mission will have a foundation for success.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Congrats Agustin, Ron, and Jake!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.missionpro.com/" target="_new"> Mission Produce </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
