Chief executive and managing partner celebrates five decades at the Canadian company
John Anderson, chair, CEO and managing partner of Oppy, will celebrate 50 years at the company on 15 March.
Anderson joined Oppy at 18 as a warehouse worker, and quickly rose through the ranks, with then-CEO and descendant of the Oppenheimer founding brothers, David Oppenheimer, recognising his potential.
Anderson played a key role in expanding Oppy into international markets, including Chile and New Zealand, while building a reputation for operational excellence and customer service.
“John’s leadership has been transformative for Oppy,” said David Smith, president and COO. “Under his guidance, the company has grown from a small regional operation into a global leader in the produce industry.
“His ability to build meaningful relationships with growers, partners and employees has been key to Oppy’s success.”
Anderson introduced Oppy’s proprietary system that supports virtually every aspect of its supply chain, Optimo, led the creation of David Oppenheimer Transport, now known as Oppy Transport, diversified Oppy’s portfolio into categories, ensuring year-round availability of popular produce via multiple countries of origin, and more.
In 2004, Oppy launched the expect the world from us promise, a commitment to quality and service that Anderson inspired and remains a core part of the company’s identity today.
“John has always led with the belief that business is about more than just transactions — it’s about building lasting, genuine connections,” said James Milne, senior vice president of categories and CMO.
”His ability to lead with heart and insight has shaped not just Oppy’s success, but the culture of trust and collaboration that will drive our future.”
Under Anderson’s leadership, Oppy has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies every year since 2002, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures four times, as well as Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2020 and 2021.
Anderson has been awarded The Packer’s Produce Man of the Year and Produce Marketer of the Year (2000 and 2012), EY’s Canada’s Pacific Region Entrepreneur of the Year (2002 and 2015), ACG BC Dealmaker of the Year (2013), BC CEO of the Year (2014), Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chile American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia (2014), Waterstone Human Capital’s Canada’s Most Admired CEO (2017), CPMA and BCPMA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards (2021), Business Laureates Hall of Fame (2023), the Order of British Columbia (2024), King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2024) and the International Humanitarian Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2025).
The milestone was celebrated on 6 March with a documentary tribute and reception in Vancouver, where Anderson was joined by colleagues, friends and family, while team members in other offices took part in the festivities remotely.
