Global fresh produce marketer Vanguard has restructured its senior management team to position the company for future growth.
Tim Clarke has been promoted to the position of vice president, global sales and logistics. Mr Clarke has been with the company for over 14 years and has been responsible for many of its sales and procurement programmes in Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa and the US. Having handled export sales, as well as imports into North America, Vanguard said he is uniquely qualified to lead the company’s sales and marketing activities globally.
Vanguard currently markets and distributes fruit and vegetables in over 50 countries around the world and has offices in Chile, China, Indonesia, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and the US, as well as a liaison office in Mildura, Australia, through its joint venture with JAK Fruit, one of Australia’s leading citrus and grape grower/packers.
Meanwhile, Will Mehrten has rejoined Vanguard as vice president, global procurement and business development. He left the company in 2006 after 13 years, part of which he served as US export sales and procurement manager. Mr Mehrten will oversee Vanguard’s procurement activities, including grower contracting and quality assurance, in over 25 countries.
Rounding out Vanguard’s senior management team is Keri Falkner, who has been with the company for 12 years. She started as accounting manager in 1995 before being promoted to controller in 1999 and vice president, finance and operations in 2005. She oversees all of Vanguard’s financial accounting and operations activities worldwide.
“Tim, Will and Keri all have outstanding reputations in our industry and within our company, and are known and respected for their integrity, capabilities and knowledge of our complex global industry and business,” said Vanguard’s CEO and founder Craig Stauffer.
“We are very excited about our realigned structure because it will enable us to further improve our services, product offerings, and deliver on our mission of being focused on the right fruit to the right customer, flawlessly performed, guaranteed.”
