MBG Marketing – The Blueberry People, the Grand Junction, Michigan-based blueberry growers’ cooperative, is very pleased to announce the appointment of Orrin “Larry” Ensfield as its new President and CEO, effective last Friday, June 19, 2015. Upon accepting the resignation of then CEO Bob Hawk, the MBG Board of Directors immediately tapped Ensfield, who had been serving as MBG’s Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, to lead the company.
Board Chairman Bill Fritz stated, “The Board is very pleased to have someone with Larry’s industry and organizational familiarity to step in and take the reins as we continue through the 2015 harvest season and move into the future. ”Ensfield has been with MBG since 2008, when he was hired as Director of Operations, bringing with him a wealth of industry experience after spending 30 years with Campbell Soup Company’s agricultural division, and leading IQF plant operations at Coloma Frozen Foods. Larry has been instrumental in further development of MBG’s fresh market activity, and under his operating leadership, MBG successfully launched two IQF value-added facilities over the past two years – the first in Bloomingdale, MI, and the second in Alma, GA.
In his new role, Ensfield will also serve on the Board of Directors of the Naturipe Farms family of companies on MBG’s behalf. In an employee address this morning, Ensfield emphasized, “I am honored to accept this position and I anticipate a seamless transition. With the support of the MBG Board, a strong management team, and our dedicated employees, I expect to serve our cooperative’s best interests with a focus on maximizing grower returns.”
Larry and his wife Susan reside at their family farm north of South Haven, Michigan. The Ensfields have two married children and three grandchildren.
For more information:
Lorrie Merker
Tel: 269-434-8060