Snack Food Association Appoints Dempsey CEO

The Snack Food Association (SFA) has named Tom Dempsey, former president of UTZ Quality Foods, as its CEO, effective July 1.

Jim McCarthy, SFA’s president and CEO since 1999, will continue as president with a focus of enhancing SFA’s presence in federal, state and international arenas. Dempsey’s focus will be to help increase SFA’s value to its members while helping to develop a long-term strategy that will make the association increasingly successful into the next decade, a news release says.

Paramount Citrus’ Krause Reflects On Time As United Fresh Chair

Paramount Citrus President David Krause, who has served as chair of the United Fresh Produce Association for the past year, reflected on his experience earlier this week when he sat down to chat with The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves in San Diego during United Fresh’s annual convention.

While Krause said his time at the helm of the organization has been “fantastic,” he revealed it hasn’t been without its challenges. “…if you recall back to when I took the term, we were in the midst of merger discussions with PMA (Produce Marketing Association)…And I think the thing I’m sort of most happy with, or proud of, is the board coming together (after that merger didn’t work out) and setting the business of United first, so that we’re now really focused on United and you can see it in the show in the last couple of days here.”

Krause’s term as the chairman of United Fresh began at the group’s Dallas convention just more than a year ago. In that time, he says he gained a much better and broader understanding of the fresh produce industry.

“You sort of end up knowing the space that you work in, as in Paramount Citrus, but you don’t often get a breadth and understanding of the totality of the system—all the other crops, all the other producers, supply chain or even, and maybe more important, the public policy work that has to take place in order for us to all have successful businesses,” he said.

Though Krause pointed out he has no interest in entering the political arena, he does have “an interest in making sure our businesses and the fresh industry is sound, and therefore I have an interest in public policy.”

Now, following the 2013 convention, Krause takes on the role of immediate past chair and, while he will continue to be involved with United, he plans to get hard back to work at Delano, Calif.-based Paramount Citrus.

“We’ve got a very big business and one that’s growing very fast,” he said.

Paramount recently acquired two different companies in Texas—Healds Valley Farms and Rio Queen, which primarily deal in grapefruit.

“We’re making a big footprint down in South Texas,” Krause added.

Additionally, Krause reports that Paramount is acquiring and expanding its lime business in south Mexico.

As for United Fresh, Ron Midyett of Apio Inc. was elevated to the chairman’s role during the convention this week.

New CEO Named At Kettle Cuisine As Founder Transitions To Board Chair

Kettle Cuisine, a market leader in premium quality, all-natural soups for foodservice and grocery operators, says that Joe Rainert will take on the role of CEO of the Chelsea, Mass.-based company. Jerry Shafir, who founded Kettle Cuisine 27 years ago, will transition from CEO to chairman of the board of directors and continue to help the company navigate future opportunities.

Rainert first joined Kettle Cuisine in January as EVP of sales, marketing and innovation. Before joining Kettle Cuisine, he served as managing director of a $200 million fresh, chilled foods company in London. Rainert also boasts an 18-year career at Bakkavor in the U.K., where he ran soup, sauce and ready-meal businesses serving leading retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury and Asda. Prior to his career in chilled foods, Rainert was a chef and restaurateur, running a Michelin-rated restaurant in England.

Shafir expressed his confidence that Rainert will bring outstanding leadership to Kettle Cuisine and carry the company on to much success while staying true to the core food values on which the company was built.

“I look forward to seeing Joe lead Kettle Cuisine into the future,” Shafir says. “Joe has an extraordinary background, combined with a passion and commitment to food quality and innovation. He is customer focused, results oriented and has a fantastic track record of developing high-performance senior teams. I am supremely confident in Joe and the excellent management team at Kettle Cuisine.”

Shafir will continue to stay active with the company as chairman of the board. He also plans to take more time for personal pursuits, including travel and philanthropy.

Both Shafir and Rainert will be in attendance at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago that begins Saturday, May 18, as well as the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) Seminar and Expo in Orlando in June.

In the featured photo at top is Jerry Shafir, left, and Joe Rainert.

dunnhumby Promotes Engle, Adds Two VPs In Cincinnati

dunnhumbyUSA, a global leader in building brand value for consumer goods and retail companies, has promoted Jack Engle to the role of SVP of global products and services. He is based in the Cincinnati office. The company also has hired two VPs: Ernest Leffler, global infrastructure, and Michele Weissman, client solutions. Both Leffler and Weissman also are based in the Cincinnati office.

Engle will be responsible for leading a team that defines and delivers the platform for global products and services. Previously VP of data solutions, Engle supported merchandising and core data functions for The Kroger Co. Prior to his tenure at dunnhumbyUSA, Engle served as VP of business systems for Entertainment Publications Inc. He earned a bachelor of science degree in management information services from Oakland University’s School of Business Administration. He resides in Mason, Ohio.

Ernest Leffler

Leffler will be responsible for all technology infrastructure within dunnhumby’s global operations. Prior to joining dunnhumbyUSA, Leffler served as VP/GM at Peak 10, where he was responsible for all operations within the Cincinnati market. He earned a bachelor of science degree in systems analysis from Miami University. He resides in Mason.

Weissman will be responsible for leading a team that develops models and analytical solutions to help dunnhumby’s clients deliver relevant strategies. Prior to joining dunnhumbyUSA, Weissman spent 20 years at IRI, holding positions of increasing responsibility and scope. Most recently serving as SVP, Weissman provided strategic direction for IRI’s Customer & Shopper Insights Advantage solution (CSIA). She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences.

Michele Weissman

GMA’s Lynch Joins NGA As VP Of Industry Relations

The National Grocers Association (NGA) has appointed Brian P. Lynch as VP of industry relations, effective June 3. Lynch will be responsible for NGA’s efforts related to collaboration with associate members, coalitions, third-party partnerships and trading partners. He also will have primary responsibility for managing the NGA Trading Partner Advisory Council. His hire underscores the association’s mission by creating a more cohesive and meaningful relationship between retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in the independent grocery channel.

“I am very happy to welcome Brian to our team,” said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA. “He has a proven track record of success both in the food industry and in cultivating member relationships. NGA is excited to complement our ongoing strategic initiatives with his expertise.”

Brian P. Lynch

Lynch comes to NGA with more than 14 years of experience in both nonprofit and for-profit environments. Prior to joining NGA, he served as senior director of business and industry development for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). There, he led the organization’s membership and business development functions, growth strategies and related volunteer committees. A recognized name in the industry, Lynch proactively managed collaborative relationships between industry trade groups and stakeholders. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

“I am honored to be invited to serve this great industry as part of NGA, an organization that is respected and highly valued by independent retailers, wholesalers and suppliers,” Lynch said. “Building on the strong momentum Peter Larkin, the NGA staff and its membership have established, I look forward to taking proactive industry engagement and collaboration to the next level.”

Kroger Promotes Henderson, Foley

The Kroger Co. has named Scott M. Henderson as VP of pension investment and strategy and appointed Todd A. Foley as VP and treasurer, effective with their elections by Kroger’s board of directors June 27.

Henderson, 57, currently serves as Kroger’s VP and treasurer, a position he has held since 2003. He will lead a new team that is responsible for overseeing nearly $12 billion of assets.

“We are very pleased that Scott has agreed to take on this important responsibility,” said Mike Schlotman, Kroger’s CFO. “Scott brings investment expertise and steady financial leadership to our pension funds, as demonstrated by his more than 10 years as treasurer and his contribution to the successful consolidation of four UFCW pension plans in 2011.”

Henderson joined Kroger in 1981 as manager of financial reporting in Cincinnati. He has held various positions of responsibility, including VP and controller for the company’s Dillon division and VP of planning for Kroger.

Foley, 43, currently serves as Kroger’s assistant corporate controller. He replaces Henderson as treasurer.

“Todd has been a valuable member of Kroger’s financial leadership team for 12 years,” said Schlotman. “Todd brings his financial acumen and extensive experience managing Kroger’s business planning process to the role of treasurer.”

Foley began his career with Kroger in 2001 as an audit manager in the internal audit department, after working for PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was named controller of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton division in 2003 before being promoted to his current role in 2006.

Foley’s replacement will be named at a later date.

General Mills Honored Again On ‘Best Cos. For Multicultural Women’ List

Working Mother magazine has selected General Mills as one of 25 “Best Companies for Multicultural Women” in the U.S.—for its ability to hire, retain and advance women of color.

“Each of us comes to work with a uniquely different perspective that is born from our experience,” said Ken Charles, VP of global diversity and inclusion for General Mills. “We find that a genuinely inclusive environment that acknowledges, respects and values those differences drives greater employee engagement and innovation. Supporting and valuing the talents and perspectives of working moms is critical to our workplace environment, contributing immensely to our success.”

This year marks General Mills’ 10th consecutive year on the annual list, and the company received special recognition by ranking among the top five “Best Companies” along with Deloitte, KPMG, PwC and State Farm. The full list appears in the June/July issue of Working Mother magazine and online at WorkingMother.com.

“The Best Companies for Multicultural Women know that a truly diverse workforce makes for an effective team, one that’s plugged into the needs and desires of its customers,” said Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media. “Grooming female leaders has become a crucial mandate, and great companies are simultaneously weaving diversity into their culture. However, many challenges lie ahead for all U.S. companies to build a pipeline of diverse talent to represent them at every level of decision-making and management.”

In this month’s Working Mother magazine, Eliana Wahnon, global consumer insights manager for General Mills, details how her multicultural upbringing has provided inspiration for her current role at General Mills. Wahnon also participated in a Q&A feature discussing the award and her personal experience as a multicultural mom on General Mills’ corporate blog, “A Taste of General Mills.”

The current issue of Working Mother also includes a company profile of General Mills, which highlights the company’s success in advancing women of color and its comprehensive employee resources including employee networks and mentoring programs.

TreeHouse Foods Makes Management Changes

TreeHouse Foods has promoted Christopher D. Sliva, currently SVP of TreeHouse Foods and COO of its operating unit Bay Valley Foods, to EVP of TreeHouse Foods and president of Bay Valley Foods. The company also appointed Harry J. Walsh to a newly created role of EVP of acquisitions integration for TreeHouse Foods. Walsh most recently served as EVP of TreeHouse Foods and president of Bay Valley Foods. Both Sliva and Walsh will report to Sam K. Reed, chairman, president and CEO.

“Both Chris and Harry are key leaders of our TreeHouse organization. As we enter the next phase of our growth and development, they will be integral to both our organic and acquisition-driven growth strategy,” said Reed.

“We are excited to have an executive of Chris’ caliber and experience leading the operations of the organization,” Reed added. “In the short time that Chris has been with us, he has established himself as a strong operational leader at Bay Valley Foods and has gained the confidence and respect of our entire company.

“Since 2008, Harry has been instrumental in driving substantial growth in both revenue and profitability for Bay Valley Foods,” Reed said. “Under his leadership, we have made a number of acquisitions that have greatly expanded the scope of the company, and we believe he is ideally suited to continue broadening TreeHouse into new categories and markets. Harry will continue to work out of Oak Brook, but will serve as the company’s on-site leader for newly acquired companies.”

Sliva, 49, joined TreeHouse Foods in July 2012 after a successful career with several consumer packaged goods companies including Dean Foods, Procter & Gamble, Eastman Kodak and Ft. James Corp. Sliva holds a bachelor of arts degree from Washington University.

Walsh, 57, joined TreeHouse Foods in January 2005 and is one of the company’s founders. Prior to that, he held senior management positions at Keebler Foods Co., Bake-Line Products, Sunshine Biscuits, G.F. Industries and Granny Goose Foods. Before entering the food industry, Walsh was an accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from The University of Notre Dame.

TreeHouse, based in Oak Brook, Ill., is a food manufacturer servicing primarily the retail grocery and foodservice distribution channels. Its products include non-dairy powdered creamers, private label canned soups, refrigerated and shelf stable salad dressings and sauces, powdered drink mixes and single-serve hot beverages, hot cereals, macaroni and cheese, skillet dinners, Mexican sauces, jams and pie fillings, pickles and related products, aseptic sauces and liquid non-dairy creamer.