Wakefern Food Corp. hired Mark Van Buskirk to the group’s leadership team as vice president of fresh. He will oversee the company’s fresh food divisions and help grow fresh food categories for stores. Van Buskirk has over 35 years of experience in the field, most recently working as senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for The Save Mart Cos.
Stefanie Katzman was tapped as CEO of her family’s company, Katzman. The fourth generation to lead the organization in its 100-plus years of operation, she will launch a rebrand of Katzman to a family of produce companies and will debut a new logo. The company will continue to operate out of the Hunts Point Produce Market in Bronx, New 
Stefanie Katzman, KatzmanYork.
Sunview hired Lisa Corrigan as director of retail development to focus on enhancing retail relationships and strategically building new business opportunities. Corrigan has worked in the fresh produce industry for over 20 years, at Prima Wawona and Bonduelle Fresh Americas.
Jacqueline Heard was added to the board of directors for Sollum Technologies, an LED lighting solutions provider for greenhouses and controlled environments. Forbes recently recognized Heard as an Innovator in the “Forbes 50 over 50” feature for her work advancing agricultural practices and identifying and commercializing new technologies as an entrepreneur.
Apeel Sciences announced additions to the leadership team. Angelika Torres is the new chief financial officer. Previously, she held senior financial positions where she successfully built and scaled financial organizations and executed strategic initiatives to drive global profitability and growth. Sam Oliver joins Apeel with 35 years of industry experience in the role of vice president of product supply. Peter Allen is the new vice president of product strategy and management, where he will focus on developing customer solutions along the food value chain.
The International Dairy Foods Association has made two staff changes. Samuel Alcaine was hired as vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs to provide guidance on food safety, food defense, standards of identity, labeling, nutrition policy and sustainability. Alcaine was previously associate professor and director of the Northeast Dairy Food Research Center at Cornell University and has worked as the principal microbiologist for Unilever’s North American ice cream business. He will begin his role Nov. 18 and report to Roberta Wagner. Jeffrey Cullen was hired by IDFA as director of video production and digital communications. He previously worked at Consumer Reports for a decade and as director of videography at The Wall Street Journal. Cullen began his role Tuesday.
The Grower Shipper Association of Central California awarded Tom and Terry Bengard the 2024 E.E. 'Gene' Harden Lifetime Achievement Award. During their six-decade partnership, the couple formed Tom Bengard Ranch Inc. in 1961 and expanded their farming operations across California and into Arizona, Florida and Mexico, transitioning into a vertically integrated grower, packer and shipper of premium fresh vegetables. They also launched a cattle operation that grew from a few hundred head to an expansive commercial herd on ranches throughout California and Southern Oregon. Since 2004, the Harden Lifetime Achievement Award has been the highest honor given to Salinas Valley produce industry icons in recognition of their contributions to advancing agriculture and benefiting communities on the Central Coast.
Mia Woodard was hired by Carbon180 as senior director of policy and government affairs. She previously worked for the American Sustainable Business Network as vice president of policy and advocacy.
Tom and Terry Bengard
Brent Boydston started Ag Center Solutions, his own consulting firm, focused on government policy, trade policy and foreign market development. He previously led corn, cereal grains, digital agriculture and carbon programs at Bayer Crop Science.
The Renewable Fuels Association elected new officers. Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, was elected chair. He has previously held leadership roles at Granite Falls Energy, Syngenta and East Kansas Agri-Energy. Others elected include Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., as vice chair; Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as board secretary; and David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, as board treasurer.
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Frank Yiannas, former FDA deputy commissioner of food policy and response, was appointed interim chief food safety advisor at Boar’s Head. He was hired to ensure the company meets standards of food safety and quality and to oversee a nationwide search for the company’s new chief food safety officer. Yiannas will also chair the Boar’s Head Food Safety Advisory Council, which formed in September as part of the company’s response to the ongoing listeria outbreak linked to its deli meat.
Rick Welder was promoted by Meister Media Worldwide to lead CropLife Media Group and Cotton Grower. He previously was a business director for key accounts with Meister.
Harambe Ag Consulting hired Raymond Dobert as a principal. He was most recently a senior science fellow for new technology regulatory policy at Bayer Crop Science and previously led global regulatory policy at Monsanto. Dobert will be based in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Emily King has left her role as member services director for the Republican staff on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She is now a vice president at Rich Feuer Anderson.
Corryn La Rue joined the American Ag Network as a farm broadcaster and content specialist, taking over as the primary voice of the American Ag Network on-air broadcasts. La Rue was previously White House correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief for RFD-TV and has received the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Horizon Award. She is also a former Agri-Pulse intern.
The American Petroleum Institute tapped Kevin Slagle as senior vice president of communications. He previously led strategy and communications for the Western States Petroleum Association.
Former South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson died Oct. 8 from complications after a recent stroke. He was 77. Johnson helped create the Renewable Fuel Standard, reorganize the Farm Credit System and secure land-grant status for tribal colleges. Johnson served 28 years in Congress, going undefeated as a Democrat in South Dakota until his retirement in 2015. Those who worked with Johnson described him as a quiet, policy-oriented lawmaker willing to cross party lines based on his beliefs.
Julia J. Dibner, a pioneering scientist and founding member of the research team at animal nutrition company NOVUS International, died the week of Sept. 30. She worked on poultry research at NOVUS for nearly 30 years as director of biology research, senior research consultant and distinguished science fellow before retiring in 2014. Dibner authored more than 140 research papers during her career.
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