Driscoll’s announces organization changes to support global growth strategy

Driscoll’s announced changes in the company organization to further advance their global business strategy. “Our mission is to continually delight berry consumers through alignment with our customers and our berry growers,” said J. Miles Reiter, Driscoll's Chairman and CEO. “Over the last 25 years, we have seen Driscoll’s grow and develop into a multi-faceted leader of the North American fresh berry industry, with expanding brand presence in other parts of the world.”

“Looking to the future, we will have a broader global reach and must be well coordinated to pursue our core mission across a wide range of geographies and cultural traditions. The changes in our executive management structure we are announcing today will position us to build new capabilities for the next 25 years of continued growth in this exciting industry.” Mr. Reiter stated.

Foremost among the changes is the formation of a new global management team which will be completed by December 1st. Kevin Murphy has been promoted to President and COO of Driscoll’s. Mr. Murphy has been elevated from his current position as President of Driscoll’s of the Americas. “Kevin has demonstrated the leadership skills, focus and judgment required to take our diverse global business units to the levels called for in the strategic plan,” noted Mr. Reiter.

Leadership responsibility for the Driscoll's of the Americas business unit will be assumed by Soren Bjorn. Previously, Mr. Bjorn was Senior Vice President of Driscoll’s International Business and Global Technologies including responsibility for directing its’ business units in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as Australia. Mr. Bjorn will become an Executive Vice President in the new global management structure.

Mr. Reiter also confirmed his plan to continue in the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Driscoll’s focusing his energies on strategic direction and capabilities. In his new role as Senior Vice President of Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Theo Houwen will remain responsible for this region and will report directly to Kevin Murphy.

The Driscoll’s Global Management team will include:
Kevin Murphy – President and Chief Operating Officer
Sean Martin – Chief Financial Officer
Lynne Oldham – Chief Human Resource Officer
David Sterry – Senior Vice President - Global R&D, Business Development and Strategic Planning
Soren Bjorn – Executive Vice President - Driscoll’s of the Americas
Theo Houwen – Senior Vice President - Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East and Africa
This team will lead the development of Driscoll’s strategic plan, while directing resource investments and cross function activities needed to achieve Driscoll’s long term vision.

Mr. Reiter commented, “I am excited by the future for Driscoll’s under Kevin’s leadership. We are putting in place the leadership, organization capabilities and collaborations with our customer and berry grower partners that will enable us to achieve the aspiration of our global vision.”

Driscoll’s is the world’s largest distributor of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. It is a fourth-generation, family owned and operated company and uses only natural breeding methods to create plant varieties to produce ONLY THE FINEST BERRIES™. Their mission is to continually delight berry consumers. Driscoll’s conventional and organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are grown by independent farmers around the globe and are available year ‘round.