Produce consultancy FreshXperts today announced changes to its board of directors. Tim Vaux, a partner with FreshXperts since 2008, has been named vice chairman, filling the position formerly occupied by current chairman of the board Anthony Totta. Heidi (Widera) Chapnick, an associate member with FreshXperts since 2011, was elected a partner with an ownership stake in the company.
“FreshXperts is pleased to recognize the contributions that Tim and Heidi have made to the consultancy,” said Totta. “We anticipate that their forward-thinking leadership strategies and extensive industry experience will provide the right direction for FreshXperts as we grow our base of consultants and respond to the ever-changing demands of our industry.
FreshXperts has amassed a sizable team of consultants with diverse areas of expertise over the last several years, establishing the consultancy as an industry leader. Its team of experts works collaboratively to ensure that clients have access to the unique skill sets and tools that they need to respond to their particular challenges.
“Heidi and Tim are valuable team members who have played a large part in FreshXperts’ success. Their special proficiencies complement the skill sets of our other FreshXperts, allowing us to provide top-notch deliverables to our clients. Heidi and Tim are able to discern what our clients need to succeed, and can outline the paths to help them achieve their goals,” said Totta.
Vaux provides strategic planning, enterprise planning, feasibility studies, new product launches, succession planning, organizational development, and turnaround plans for FreshXperts. Formerly, Vaux spent 27 years with DuPont in various management positions in food industry relations and crop protection. While at DuPont, he conceived, developed and operated the Produce Industry Leadership Program in conjunction with the United Fresh Produce Association. The program was designed to educate and nurture the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. Vaux also served on the United Fresh Produce Association board of directors. Additionally, he is a past president of the Ag One Foundation, an organization that benefits the agricultural programs at Fresno State University.
“Tim is a valuable leader who understands the importance of education and has made unparalleled investments in the future of our industry. He is just the person that we need to help guide our team of experts moving forward, and we are pleased to welcome him as vice chairman,” noted Totta. “Tim has broad industry knowledge, and always provides our clients with outstanding service and spot-on strategies for success. We are fortunate to count him a member of our team.”
Chapnick, a leading retail strategist with extensive expertise in e-commerce and OMNI-channel commerce, provides FreshXperts’ clients with consulting services related to internet marketing optimization, online shopping, and retail sales and operations. She was previously employed by CVS as the U.S. director for customer experience, director of front store, and director of Rx for CVS.com. Additionally, Chapnick built online grocery shopping as U.S. director for e-commerce and customer service for The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company chains (A&P and others), where she developed same day delivery. She was also the director of new services and marketing for Stop and Shop, a Royal Ahold company, where she helped to develop Peapod, the first profitable online shopping experience, which she, subsequently, helped expand to other Royal Ahold companies.
“Heidi constantly has her finger on the pulse of what’s new and what works as it relates to e-commerce,” said Totta. “She is uniquely gifted in her ability to think outside the box and doesn’t let the constraints of ‘reality’ get in her way. Heidi is a true innovator with the ability to revolutionize the way our clients conduct business online and across all channels of sales, and we are pleased to name her a partner in FreshXperts.”
FreshXperts is the full service advisory team for profitable, sustainable growth in fresh foods. FreshXperts’ consortium of consultants shares over two centuries of fresh produce industry experience. The FreshXperts team delivers results for its clients through fresh industry marketing, supply chain visibility, packaging solutions, business technology tools, product development, merchandising strategies, organizational training, organizational governance, corporate professional analysis, and profile testing.
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FreshXperts
Anthony Totta
T: (816) 522-8262