SANTA PAULA, CA - Calavo Growers recently announced a transition of leadership, as it revealed Adriana G. Mendizabal will be joining its Board of Directors, effective December 1. Mendizabal will be serving as an Independent Director, following Scott Van Der Kar’s announcement that he will be stepping down.
Mendizabal has over 30 years of experience leading successful business turnarounds and transformations and igniting new businesses to achieve sustainable growth, according to a press release. Since 2019, she has served as Group President for Stanley Black & Decker Latin America. Prior to that, she worked with Nature’s Sunshine Products from 2012 to 2019, holding vital positions such as Business Unit President and Global Chief Marketing and Innovations Officer.
Before her work with Nature’s Sunshine Products, Mendizabal held multiple roles at companies like Visa USA, Herbalife, Johnson & Johnson, Kodak, PepsiCo-Mexico, and Procter & Gamble. The business expert was also named one of Mexico’s Top 10 most powerful women in business by CNN’s Expansion Business Magazine.
“Calavo is extremely fortunate to have someone of Adriana Mendizabal’s caliber and experience join our Board of Directors,” said Steven Hollister, Interim Chief Executive Officer. “Her track record as a leader who drives shareholder value will make her an integral member of our Board and a valued advisor to our leadership team.”
Mendizabal held the position of Independent Director and Member of the audit committee for the Bank of New York Mellon’s Mexico subsidiary from 2008 to 2015, and is currently an executive member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
Furthering her expertise, she holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business from Tecnologico de Estudio Superiores de Monterrey-UEM.
Mendizabal’s appointment follows the announcement that long-time Director Scott Van Der Kar has decided to retire from the Board, effective January 3.
“Scott has been a key member of our board, and we appreciate his many contributions that have guided Calavo over the years,” Hollister continued. “On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Scott for his 27 years of service and counsel.”
Following this transition, the company’s Board will consist of 11 Directors, seven of which qualify as Independent Directors under the independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.
We here at ANUK send our biggest congratulations to Adriana G. Mendizabal, and to Calavo Growers on the growth of its leadership ring!
