Leading Executives in Produce Distributors

TJ Murphy

Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Baldor Specialty Foods

Owner and CEO who has led Baldor’s post‑pandemic growth; in April 2025 he brought in FreshDirect co‑founder David McInerney as president to sharpen execution while he focuses on long‑term innovation.

David McInerney

President, Baldor Specialty Foods

Former FreshDirect co‑founder/CEO tapped on April 8, 2025 as Baldor’s president to drive operational excellence and expansion across products and geographies.

John Anderson

Chair, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner, Oppy (The Oppenheimer Group)

Chair, CEO and managing partner; celebrated 50 years at Oppy in March 2025, having helped scale it to ~US$1.5B in revenue and 19 locations worldwide.

H.O. “Chip” Walker III

President & Chief Executive Officer, PRO*ACT (Strategic Sourcing International family)

Industry veteran leading PRO*ACT’s national distributor network; under his watch SSI acquired Your*Way Fresh (2024) and PRO*ACT launched new tech partnerships and a brand refresh.

Jim Procuniar

President & Chief Executive Officer, FreshPoint (a Sysco company)

Heads Sysco’s specialty‑produce arm; FreshPoint expanded its footprint with the BIX Produce acquisition and continues to earn major chain awards under his leadership.

Charlie Billow

Chief Executive Officer, Charlie’s Produce

Company co‑founder and longtime CEO who has helped build one of the West Coast’s largest independent produce distributors, including expansion via Better Life Organics.

Jason Hollinger

President & Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons Produce (Four Seasons Family of Companies)

Fourth‑generation leader driving growth at the Mid‑Atlantic distributor; oversees ongoing facility expansion and sustainability initiatives.

Stefanie Katzman

Chief Executive Officer, Katzman (Katzman Produce, Katzman Distribution, Katzman Logistics, etc.)

Fourth‑generation executive named CEO in October 2024; rebranded the enterprise and launched new distribution/logistics arms while adding a 200+ SKU organics program.

Christopher Larsen

President & Chief Executive Officer, Castellini Company (Castellini Group)

Former Chiquita finance leader who now runs one of the U.S.’s longest‑standing produce distributors, steering an integrated cold‑chain and distribution platform.

David Nemarnik

Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Coast Fresh Co.

Co‑owner/CEO guiding the Pacific Northwest distributor through strategic moves including the 2023 King Harvest Hummus acquisition and a 2024 corporate rebrand.

Steve Grinstead

Chief Executive Officer, FreshEdge

Veteran distributor executive building a super‑regional fresh‑food network (Piazza, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, Testa Produce and more) backed by Wind Point Partners.

Elyse Lipman

Chief Executive Officer, Lipman Family Farms

Fourth‑generation CEO since 2023; leading North America’s largest tomato grower‑distributor with an active M&A program, including Northeast Produce (2024) and Shelton & Sons (2025).

Stephen J. (Steve) Barnard

Chief Executive Officer, Mission Produce

Founder and CEO of the global avocado leader; continues to expand vertically integrated farming and distribution while adding adjacent categories.

Soren Bjorn

Chief Executive Officer, Driscoll’s

Appointed CEO effective January 2024 after leading the Americas business; now steering the world’s largest berry brand’s global growth agenda.

Rory Byrne

Chief Executive Officer, Dole plc

Seasoned executive who has led Dole plc since its 2021 formation, overseeing one of the world’s largest fresh produce distribution platforms alongside Executive Chairman Carl McCann.

Mohammad Abu‑Ghazaleh

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Del Monte Produce

Chairman & CEO since 1996; led the company’s transformation into a vertically integrated global producer‑marketer‑distributor across fresh and fresh‑cut categories.

Jim Phillips

President & Chief Executive Officer, Sunkist Growers

President & CEO of the U.S.’s longest‑standing ag cooperative; in 2025 announced Limoneira’s return to Sunkist marketing—reinforcing scale in fresh citrus sales.

Josh Leichter

Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Trellis Fruit

CEO leading the importer‑marketer behind Dulcinea®; continues to expand finance and operations teams to support growth in melons, grapes and other premium fruit.

Jose Rossignoli

President, Robinson Fresh (a division of C.H. Robinson)

Global sourcing and supply‑chain expert named president in January 2023; leads integrated produce procurement and distribution solutions for retail and foodservice.

John Corsaro

Chief Executive Officer, The Giumarra Companies

CEO of the century‑old grower‑marketer and distributor; continuing national expansion with new offices and programs while scaling partnerships in grapes, berries and more.