Key Takeaways
- AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. has appointed Kent Shoemaker as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors.
- Kent Shoemaker brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including CEO of Lipman Family Farms and COO of FreshPoint, Inc.
- CEO Clint Lewis emphasizes the strategic value Shoemaker brings to AgroFresh’s mission in the post-harvest supply chain.
- Shoemaker succeeds Brian Kocher, who has moved to a CEO role at SunOpta, and joins other distinguished board members.
- AgroFresh’s recent acquisitions of Tessara and Pace International signify its continued transformation and growth in the produce sustainability sector.
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. Names Kent Shoemaker Chairman of the Board
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., a global leader in post-harvest solutions for fresh produce, has appointed Kent Shoemaker to its Board of Directors and named him Chairman of the Board. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the company’s leadership and expanding its influence in the fresh produce supply chain.
Leadership Transition
Kent Shoemaker’s appointment follows the recent transition of Brian Kocher, the former Chairman, who has taken on the role of CEO at SunOpta. Shoemaker’s extensive background in agriculture and produce management positions him as a pivotal figure in AgroFresh’s leadership team.
“As we continue to expand our products and services for additional crops, we remain committed to helping our customers meet their post-harvest challenges at every step in the fresh produce supply chain,” said Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh. “We are excited to welcome a leader like Kent who has walked in our customers’ shoes and has been a successful business leader with direct experiences in produce production and managing risk along the supply chain as produce travels from harvest to home.”
Kent Shoemaker’s Career Highlights
Until his retirement in 2023, Shoemaker served as CEO of Lipman Family Farms for nearly 14 years. Lipman Family Farms is the largest open-field tomato grower in North America, providing year-round fresh produce through an integrated network encompassing research and development, farming, processing, and packing. Prior to his tenure at Lipman, Shoemaker dedicated 26 years to FreshPoint, Inc., North America’s largest fresh produce distribution network, culminating his service as Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, FreshPoint underwent significant expansion, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Sysco Corporation.
“My journey to this role has been marked by a deep respect for agriculture and a passion for fostering sustainable practices,” stated Shoemaker. “It is an honor to be associated with such a highly regarded leader in the area of produce sustainability.”
Strategic Value to AgroFresh
Shoemaker’s experience and vision are expected to be instrumental as AgroFresh continues its transformation and growth. The company recently completed the acquisitions of Tessara and Pace International, which are aimed at broadening AgroFresh’s reach and capabilities in produce sustainability.
“Kent’s experience will be invaluable to us as AgroFresh continues its transformation to expand its pathways for growth,” added Lewis.
Board Composition
As the newest independent director and Chairman, Shoemaker joins a distinguished group of board members who bring a wealth of expertise from various sectors of the agriculture and supply chain industries. The current board members include:
- Tina Lawton, former APAC President of Syngenta.
- Sandor Nagy, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Supply Chain at Driscoll’s.
- David McInerney, Founder and Former CEO of Fresh Direct.
This diverse and experienced board is well-positioned to guide AgroFresh through its next phase of innovation and expansion, ensuring the company’s leadership in the post-harvest solutions market remains robust and forward-thinking.
AgroFresh’s Latest News
Expands FreshCloud Platform to Enhance Quality Management (2024/05/17)
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. is a global leader in post-harvest solutions, committed to empowering the fresh produce business at every step. The company’s FreshCloud™ digital platform, powered by AgroFresh, provides intelligent end-to-end data visibility and streamlines quality produce inspections. It has been instrumental in helping customers like Goede Hoop Citrus manage their produce more effectively. By implementing FreshCloud, Goede Hoop Citrus is developing advanced systems that integrate seamlessly with their existing operations and gaining a competitive edge while enhancing their commitment to sustainability and quality. The platform offers season-long, real-time quality inspection monitoring of various crops and has had an incredible start to its 2024 season with the expansion of FreshCloud, with new customers joining from every corner of the globe.
Innovating for a Sustainable, Fresh Produce Industry (2024/02/09)
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. unveiled its commitment to the produce industry at the Fruit Logistica event in Berlin. The company is expanding its solution offerings with SO2 intelligent packaging technology and focusing on customer success by addressing fresh produce challenges. The acquisition of Tessara strengthens its position to offer science-based, data-driven solutions.
Strengthens Board with Industry Experts (2023/06/29)
AgroFresh Solutions Inc., renowned for its pioneering freshness solutions in the post-harvest sector, has recently revamped its Board of Directors following a go-private transaction with Paine Schwartz Partners. The newly appointed Board comprises industry veterans such as Brian Kocher, former CEO of Calavo, as Chair, alongside David McInerney, co-founder of Fresh Direct; Tina Lawton, former APAC President at Syngenta; and Sandor Nagy, COO of Driscoll’s. These appointments bring together a diverse array of global expertise across the fresh produce supply chain, each member contributing decades of experience in their respective fields. This strategic move, spearheaded by CEO Clint Lewis, aims to bolster AgroFresh’s mission to lead in reducing food loss and waste while enhancing the quality and longevity of fresh produce globally.
AgroFresh Solutions Partners With Strella To Reduce Food Waste (2023/04/27)
AgroFresh Solutions has partnered with Strella Biotechnology to reduce food waste and promote sustainable agriculture. The exclusive global distribution agreement will leverage Strella’s innovative sensor technology that collects real-time perishability data on apples and pears while stored. This complements AgroFresh’s FreshCloud platform offering end-to-end visibility and product quality monitoring at every value chain stage. The partnership allows AgroFresh to enhance its post-harvest products, services, and digital solutions.
AgroFresh Solutions Launches In Latin America (2023/02/22)
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. has recently made a significant announcement that has created quite a buzz in the industry. The company has launched its SmartFresh ProTabs in Brazil and Mexico, significantly expanding its flagship SmartFresh Quality system portfolio in these two countries. The SmartFresh brand is widely recognized as the industry leader in ethylene management technology, and the launch of ProTabs has further cemented its reputation.
Image provided by AgroFresh Solutions Inc
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