Chiquita appoints Craig Stephen as Fresh Express Senior VP Sales&Marketing

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) today announced the appointment of Craig Stephen as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Fresh Express. Mr. Stephen will have responsibility for Fresh Express sales, marketing and customer service operations, as the Company continues to provide expanded category offerings in retail value-added and private label salads. 

“Craig is highly regarded and respected by all stakeholders across the fresh produce industry,” said Brian W. Kocher, Chiquita’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are confident that his extensive operational experience, coupled with his leadership and industry insights will help us consistently deliver superior customer service as we continue to profitably grow our Fresh Express business.”

Mr. Stephen served more than twenty years with Chiquita, leading the turnaround of the Company’s North America Banana business from 2007 to 2012 as Vice President & General Manager for Chiquita Brands North America. He grew his career with Chiquita in a variety of global operational and planning roles in North America, Europe and Asia. Most recently, Mr. Stephen has been the Chief Strategy Officer for N2N Global, a multinational software and service company focused on the food supply chain industry and he has provided consulting services to the produce industry. 

He has been a member of or contributor to a number of industry associations. Mr. Stephen has served the produce industry through his involvement in the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), where he is currently on the Board of Directors and a member of various PMA Committees. He is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.S. in business administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of nutritious, high-quality fresh and value-added food products - from energy-rich bananas, blends of convenient green salads, other fruits to healthy snacking products. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual revenues of more than $3 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 20,000 people and has operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. 

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