Dietz & Watson competitors

Mark was selected by the Blue Diamond Growers Board of Directors to become President and Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2010. Under Mark’s leadership, Blue Diamond has transformed into a $1.6 billion global branded food manufacturer with sales up +225%, and even greater growth in profitability. Fueling this success was a driving sense of purpose to support the economic sustainability of the 3,000 mostly small, multi-generational farms that entrust Blue Diamond with their year’s work in the form of the almond crop. With a unique understanding of the branded retail, ingredients and food service businesses, Mark’s career achievements include leading the brand growth for Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Totino’s, Pillsbury, Red Baron, Freschetta, Blue Diamond and Almond Breeze. Prior to joining Blue Diamond, Mark was president of Schwan’s Food Service in Marshall, Minnesota, where he led the profitable turnaround of the division. He also worked for The Pillsbury Company, Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. and General Mills, Inc. Mark received his MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in 1994. Mark is 2nd Vice Chair of California Chamber of Commerce, former Chair of the Audit Committee and Chair of the International Forum, is on the Executive Council for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, is on the Board of Trustees for the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, is on the Board of Trustees for the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Learning, and is a Board Member and previous Vice Chair of the Almond Board of California. Mark believes eating good food, getting regular exercise and living a healthy spiritual life are the best medicine and critical to a sense of well-being.

Dan Huber is a Chief Executive Officer at Foster Farms and Gen Mgr:Southern California Sales/Distribution at Foster Farms and is based in Modesto, California. He has experience at KF Australia Pty Ltd and MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL, INC. and has worked as Oscar Mayer - Various Sales and Sales Management Positions at Kraft Foods Group, Various Sales Management and Customer Category Management at Kraft Foods Group, and Chief Operations Officer at Foster Farms. Dan works or has worked at Oscar Mayer and works or has worked as Board Member at US Poultry & Egg Asson, Board Member at Natl Chicken Council, and Board Member at National Turkey Federation. He attended UCCS between 1983 and 1989.

Ralph Smith is a President/CEO at Kayem Foods.

Tom Hayes is a recognized innovator and decorated executive in the food industry who has guided some of the world’s most well-known brands over the past three decades. As Ocean Spray’s President and CEO, he now leads the world's leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries, and oversees our global organization of more than 700 grower owners and 2,000 employees. Tom comes to Ocean Spray as our cooperative nears its centennial and is focused on ensuring the company is positioned for another 100 years of success.

Mark Hickman is a President/CEO at Peco Foods Inc.

Brock Furlong has been in the food industry for 25 years. He started his career with a focus primarily on the marketing and sales functions securing his training from companies such as The Quaker Oats Company (1990 to 1994) and Pillsbury (1995 to 1998). He left Pillsbury as VP of Marketing to join Maple Leaf Meats, a $5B international meat and bakery company head quartered in Toronto, Canada. Brock joined as SVP of Marketing and R&D directing the activities of over 60 professionals across fresh and further processed pork and beef. Within 3 months of joining Maple Leaf the Food Service sales function was added to his responsibilities along with the leadership of a number of critical acquisitions. In October of 1999 Brock was promoted to the position of President, Maple Leaf Poultry. This company became the largest poultry company in Canada growing from $270M in sales to over $600M in the 5 years Brock acted as President. The company serviced all major restaurants and retail customers in Canada and a number of significant US customers as well. In early 2005 Brock was asked to assume the President role of the Frozen Bakery division of Maple Leaf that was headquartered in Chicago serving major Food Service restaurants throughout North America. The business grew to $350M in the 2.5 years Brock lead the company. In 2008, Brock’s family made the decision that the nearly constant travel needed to come to an end and he left Maple Leaf after 10 years to start a gourmet protein company making high end burgers, sausages and meatballs. The business grew rapidly over the course of the next 3 years serving the Food Service, Industrial and Retail business segments.

Mr. Dylan Lissette B. is a President and Chief Operating Officer at Utz Brands and is based in United States.