Sun World International has promoted Joe Sanchez to the role of North American director of grower relations and licensing. Sanchez (pictured, left) assumes responsibility for all sourcing and licensing activities in the San Joaquin Valley and Mexico, including the management of the company’s California stonefruit licensing business and support of the company’s central California base of grape growers. He will also oversee grower relations and licensing staff in Hermosillo, Mexico from Sun World’s Bakersfield office.
“Joe’s knowledge of Sun World and our proprietary varieties as well as his experience with our California growers suit him well to this new role,” said executive vice president David Marguleas.
Prior to his appointment Sanchez managed the company’s Coachella facility, a position that has been filled by Tom Clark who has been named director of southern facilities and operations in Coachella. Clark, (right) will manage all packing and coldstorage operations and staff and support the company’s southern California grower base. He previously served as general manager of Lo Bue Citrus in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
“Tom brings great fruit packing and handling expertise as well as a deep appreciation for growers’ needs,” Marguleas said.
Sun World has one of the world’s largest table grape and stonefruit breeding programmes. Since its creation in the mid-1970s, the company’s Variety Development Centre has released more than 90 varieties which are grown on its own farms in California and through licensed growers in North and South America, Europe, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East.
