Calavo Growers, Inc. has announced changes to enhance the organizational structure within the company’s operations department.
Under Jim Gibson, chief executive officer, Calavo is working to synergize all segments of the business by creating a “one-company vision”, wherein Calavo and its subsidiary, Renaissance Food Group (RFG), join forces to optimize and elevate the Calavo name. “Through the merging of our internal divisions, we are able to leverage the legacy and expertise of the Calavo brand with the innovation and influence of RFG to form one cohesive enterprise,” says Gibson. “The combined talents of the Calavo and RFG teams will help realize our vision and strengthen the future of our company.”
Right: Jim Gibson
“As Calavo streamlines business initiatives under our ‘one-company vision’, one of our core strategies is to continue developing and investing in our people, as well as building a strong, integrated team to support and drive our growth goals,” stated Mark Lodge, chief operations officer. “These strategic changes across Calavo operations support our long-term business objectives for all segments of the business.”
Right: Mark Lodge
Among the notable changes is promoting Cheryl Enlow to vice-president, food safety and quality assurance, where the industry veteran will now oversee food safety and quality programs for all Calavo business units, including the company’s avocado and guacamole divisions and Renaissance Food Group. With a degree in Food Technology from Iowa State University, Enlow’s career centers on produce, holding positions in production and quality for various grower and fresh-cut companies and Safeway Corporate, where she was responsible for quality of perishables. Through her tenure at Safeway, Enlow became familiar with RFG and joined the team in 2015. She is the current chair of the United Fresh Food Safety & Technology Council as well as a mentor in the United Fresh Produce Safety Immersion Program.
In addition, Omar Martinez is promoted to vice-president continuous improvement, where he will lead Calavo’s evironmental health and safety (EH&S) and workers compensation (WC) teams. Martinez will also help implement the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics that will drive performance and responsibility to the company’s stakeholders in key areas. Prior to this role, Martinez held the title of national director, continuous improvement for RFG, where his experience with Lean Six Sigma drove key performance and processes initiatives which will continue in his new role for Calavo.
For the Calavo fresh avocado business, Marc Fallini is promoted to vice-president fresh operations and will oversee all fresh avocado operations in the US.
Don Johnson, a veteran of the industry and long-time leader at Renaissance Food Group, will lead Calavo’s purchasing and logistics initiatives which will centralize packaging, purchasing and domestic logistics for Calavo’s business units.
For more information:
Nelia Alamo
Calavo Growers, Inc.
Tel: +1 (916) 208-6898
neliaa@rfgfoods.com
Investor Contact:
Lisa Mueller
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Tel: +1 (310) 622-8231
calavo@finprofiles.com
www.calavo.com