Jitney Jungle Appoints a Pair
Jungle Stores of America, based here, has appointed two people to top positions in the chain's produce and floral departments.
Al Garner was named vice president of produce operations, and is responsible for the operational side of the department. Prior to this, he served as vice president of produce and floral at East Coast Food Brokerage in Charlotte, N.C. He also has held similar positions with Farm Fresh, Fleming and Kroger. Garner currently serves on the board of directors for the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Alexandria, Va.
Jitney Jungle also named Helen Rae Gragnano to the post of vice president of floral operations, a new position. In this role, she will oversee the activities in the department. Prior to this, Gragnano was vice president of floral for Farm Fresh, during which time she also served as a consultant to Nash Finch. Gragnano is a member of the Florida Foliage Association and an advisory board member of the Super Floral Show.
Driscoll Names New President
WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- Driscoll Strawberry Associates has named Gary Gionnette president and chief executive officer of the company based here, a shipper of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
Prior to this, Gionnette was regional vice president of category management for the central region of Supervalu, Eden Prairie, Minn. He also held the positions of vice president of marketing, director of merchandising and corporate director of produce there. Before that, Gionnette held numerous produce-related posts at Safeway between 1973 and 1987.
As part of an internal restructuring following his appointment, Gionnette merged eight existing departments into four "teams:" Trade, Production, Internal and Development. Michael Hollister, vice president of sales and marketing, was tapped to head the Trade Group, which will have direct contact with customers. He's now responsible for the growth of retail and wholesale customers, along with customer service and brand development.
Cornell Brought In by Mexam
NATIONAL CITY, Calif. -- Mexican American Fruit Company, based here, has named David Cornell II to the position of company president. Up until this time, the post was filled by members of the Cortez family, who founded the Mexam in 1974.
As president, Cornell is responsible for insuring operational efficiencies across business units, creating and implementing quality-control programs, and setting and fulfilling supply expectations. Most recently, he was employed by Houston-based Align Solutions, where he provided consulting services in business and operations, specializing in multi-unit management.
Food-Safety Expert Retained
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association here has signed a three-month agreement for the services of Nancy Nagle, Ph.D., as senior advisor for food safety, while the association continues to search for a full-time director of scientific and technical affairs to replace Dr. Stacey Zawel, who took a new position in the food industry in June. Nagle comes to the trade group from Dole Fresh Vegetables Company, Salinas, Calif.
