Crown Jewels Marketing

California-based fresh produce importer-distributor Crown Jewels Marketing has expanded its South American programme with the opening of an office in Chile, Santiago, and the appointment of two new staff members.

Bill Lewis and Shani McKinney have joined the company, with Lewis opening the office in Santiago to help develop a new import programme from Chile, Peru and Brazil, according to a group news statement.

McKinney, meanwhile, will work from the Fresno main office in California handling import operations as well as foreign and domestic sales.

“It is wonderful to be with experienced and highly reputable marketers that truly understand the business,” Lewis explained in the release.

“This new and exciting expansion into South America will continue the company’s philosophy of partnering with some of the finest growers in the industry to focus on producing quality product.”

McKinney added that she is looking forward to combining my recent sales experience with my history and passion for the import trade.

“It is particularly exciting to be working for a company that has a strong presence in the Mexican import deal already, and a well-established domestic supply base,” she noted.