Supplier Side: May 2014
Clark Named SVP, Erickson CFO at Ready Pac
Irwindale, Calif.-based Ready Pac Foods Inc. has hired Tim Clark as its SVP and chief human resources officer, in which capacity he will lead the administration of the organization’s HR function and support productive and profitable business operations.
With 20-plus years of experience, Clark joins Ready Pac with a diverse HR background in large and small organizations, as well as the consumer packaged goods industry. He previously worked for Pepsi, New Century Financial Corp., Fremont Investment and Loan, and Texaco.
Ready Pac also hired Sally Erickson as its CFO to oversee the direction of the company’s financial goals and objectives.
Erickson joins Ready Pac with more than 25 years of hands-on finance experience, including directing a variety of complex financial projects, engaging in business and divisional development, overseeing international multiplant manufacturing, and strengthening financial operations within a global arena. She previously spent 17 years with Sealy Corp. and has held financial management positions at Emerson Electric, Robert Bosch Corp. and Rexnord Inc. www.readypac.com
Baloian Farms Expands Sales Staff
Fresno, Calif.-based pepper and mixed vegetable grower Baloian Farms recently expanded its sales staff with the hiring of Marcel Corella to accommodate recent growth and expansion of its Nogales, Mexico, sales and procurement office.
As sales assistant, Corella’s primary responsibility will be to assist with the day-to-day activities within the sales department. His other key duties include managing packing materials for Mexico and assisting with quality assurance as needed. Corella’s future plans are to assist with the expansion of Baloian Farms’ Nogales operation and facilitate its Mexican program. He has already been spending time updating growers and planning the 2014-15 season. www.baloianfarms.com
LaMontagne to Lead Customer Development at Kimberly-Clark
Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark North America has named Grant LaMontagne president of customer development, in which role he will lead all sales and customer development activities for the company’s operations in North America.
LaMontagne joins Kimberly-Clark from Clorox, where he most recently held the position of SVP and general manager for Clorox Professional Products, which includes the health care, janitorial/sanitary and institutional foods channels. He joined Oakland, Calif.-based Clorox in 1980 and held a number of positions of increasing responsibility, including VP of sales, SVP and chief customer officer.
LaMontagne was chairman for the Grocery Manufacturers Association Sales Committee and also sat on the Enactus USA national advisory board. www.kimberlyclark.com
Branded Watercress Certified as Superfoods
Carpinteria, Calif.-based Hollandia Produce LP’s Live Gourmet brand Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete’s Organic brand Living Watercress have been certified as antioxidant-rich superfoods based on a laboratory analysis of their antioxidants levels, especially lutein. Bags of Living Upland Cress and Living Watercress will now feature the Antioxidant Superfood certification label from Emeryville, Calif.-based SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party certifier of food quality and safety.
“This certification promotes transparency while educating consumers and will help our products stand out,” says Vincent Choate, Hollandia’s director of marketing.
Lutein, an antioxidant known to fight cancer-causing free radical compounds, is also found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and has additionally been found to support eye health and vision. www.hollandiaproduce.com; www.livegourmet.com/superfood.html, www.growerpetes.com/superfood.html