Sun World Picks Grape Manager
n World International here named Rick Paul table grape category manager, overseeing the sourcing and sales of all California, Mexican and Chilean grape activities for Sun World and its growers.
Paul succeeds John Harley, who left the company several months ago. Before assuming his present position, Paul was tree fruit category manager at Sun World. The fruit and vegetable supplier has six category managers on staff.
Paul is a member of the California Plum Marketing Board, the California Tree Fruit Agreement's control committee and the California Grape & Tree Fruit League marketing committee.
One of the country's largest table grape grower-shippers, Sun World markets numerous grape varieties, including its proprietary Superior Seedless brand.
Suma Taps Market Planning Chief
SANGER, Calif. -- Suma Fruit International here has named Mark Castaldi director of market planning and operations, with responsibilities for determining new strategies for product sales, promotions and marketing.
Before joining Suma Fruit International, he was a director of business strategy with Dole Dried Fruit & Nut Co., with responsibility for developing new products and improving production operations. At Suma Fruit, Castaldi reports to Ralph Hackett, chief executive officer.
Suma Fruit International grows, markets and imports more than 60 fresh apple, treefruit, citrus and grape varieties, and is the exclusive marketer for such labels as UTC, Rosay, Maisa and Clutha Valley.
General Adds Marketing Post
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- General Produce Co. here said Chuck Wilkinson has joined the company as vice president of purchasing, which is a new position.
Wilkinson comes to General Produce from San Diego-based Coast Citrus, where he was general manager.
At General Produce he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of merchandising. He reports to owners Tom and Dan Chan.
General Produce Co. is a wholesale produce distributor that operates in northern California and southern Oregon.
UniMark Names Spinale Manager
ARGYLE, Texas -- UniMark Foods here has named Paul Spinale Northeast regional manager of retail sales.
This is a new position that resulted from UniMark's recent acquisition of the Flavor Fresh brand and a processing plant from Fruit Salad, in Lawrence, Mass.
Spinale's previous position was national sales manager for Fruit Salad. In his new post at UniMark Foods, he is responsible for overseeing retail sales in the Northeast region. He reports to Soren Borre, senior vice president of sales at UniMark Foods.
UniMark Foods is a specialty processor, distributor and marketer of citrus and other fruits, with operations in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Geen House Adds Sales Slot
ENCINITAS, Calif. -- The Green House Fine Herbs has added Kevin Abrams to its sales staff as Midwest region sales manager, a new position.
Abrams joined The Green House from a sales position at Del Monte Produce, Miami. He has been in the produce and packaged goods industries for the past 10 years, according to the company.
In his new position at The Green House, Abrams has responsibility for sales management in a 17-state region. He reports to Paul Larson, director of national sales.
