Chiquita Brands International has announced that the company's board of directors has appointed Lori Ritchey as its vice-president, controller and chief accounting officer as of this month.

Ritchey will report to Jeffrey Zalla, Chiquita's senior vice-president and chief financial officer.

Zalla said: "Lori has extensive global experience in accounting, finance, and business processes with high-growth organisations. We look forward to her significant contributions as Chiquita's global leader of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control functions."

Ritchey joined Chiquita in 2008 as vice-president of internal audit. Prior to joining Chiquita, Ritchey was with MeadWestvaco Corp, a provider of packaging solutions for consumer products, where she served as head of internal audit and, earlier, as manager of external reporting.

Ritchey assumes the duties from Brian Donnan, who has decided to retire after 10 years with the company.

"Brian provided solid leadership as controller both for the total company since late 2007, and prior to that, at Fresh Express, where he contributed to the company expanding its market leadership in value-added salads. We appreciate Brian's contributions to our global business during the past ten years and we wish him well in his retirement,” said Zalla.

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