US – Driscoll’s board of directors has elected Soren Bjorn, currently president of Driscoll’s of the Americas, as the company’s new CEO.
He will assume the role in January 2024 and oversee the company’s global day-to-day operations succeeding J. Miles Reiter, the current chairman and CEO of Driscoll’s.
Reiter has announced his plan to retire at the end of the year to become executive chairman of the family-owned company.
Bjorn joined Driscoll’s in 2006 and has been involved in nearly every facet of the business over the past 17 years.
As the former senior vice president of international business and global technologies, he led business development in Europe, South America, and Australia, as well as global R&D and breeding.
He became the leader of Driscoll’s business unit in North America in 2013 and was elevated to his current position as president of Driscoll’s of the Americas in 2017.
Driscoll further expounded that Bjorn would guide the company’s efforts to implement new technologies that improve operational efficiencies and ensure the business remains resilient against industry-wide challenges such as climate change.
“Miles’ legacy is the power and clarity of Driscoll’s mission, vision, and values,” Bjorn said, “He has used them to guide every decision and action for the company.”
“As the new steward of Driscoll’s, I fully commit to all our employees, partners, and customers that I will build upon his legacy and honor these same principles,” he added.
Reiter twice served as the company’s CEO – once from 2000-2015 and again from 2018 to the present.
“It’s now time for me to step aside as CEO. Along with our board of directors, I have sought a new leader who is deeply committed to our values, our mission, and a future in which Driscoll’s becomes the world’s berry company, enriching the lives of everyone we touch,” Reiter announced.
Driscoll’s has farmed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for over 100 years and is behind the Only the Finest Berries brand.
It has over 900 independent growers in more than 20 countries and its products are sold in more than 40 countries across North America, Australia, Europe, and China.
Last month, it was part of the consortium led by private-equity investor Paine Schwartz Partners that successfully bid to take over Australia-based fresh fruit and vegetables grower Costa Group.
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