WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Driscoll’s, the world’s largest distributor of fresh berries, announced today CEO succession plans as J. Miles Reiter, Chairman and current CEO, communicated changes in the company’s leadership structure. Reiter announced that Kevin Murphy, current President and COO, will assume the CEO role effective April 1, 2015.
During his 15-year tenure as CEO, Reiter has led Driscoll’s in advancing key strategic initiatives that have laid the foundation for Driscoll’s global growth. These include the company’s mission and focus on delighting berry consumers, its values-based organizational philosophy, and vision to guide Driscoll’s expansion in markets around the world.
Family owned and operated for more than 100 years, Driscoll’s is poised to ensure future global brand expansion with this organizational announcement. As a fourth generation grower and the grandson of one of Driscoll’s founders, Reiter will retain his role as Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since 1988.
“Given our intention to become the world's berry company, we are very fortunate to have a leader of Kevin's caliber,” said J. Miles Reiter. “In his time at Driscoll's and throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated the ability to draw people together in the pursuit of shared goals. At the core of Driscoll’s mission is a dedication to delighting consumers with the most delicious berries. We seek to bring an extra measure of joy into consumers’ lives and into the lives of everyone we touch. I can speak for the owners of Driscoll's that we believe in and support Kevin’s ability to create a future of which we can all be very proud.”
“I am incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to be Driscoll’s next CEO,” said Kevin Murphy. “Under the CEO leadership of Miles, the company has grown tremendously over the last fifteen years. My goal is to continue shaping our path forward and to focus on guiding the vision, mission and values that are the foundation to our company. I look forward to building an even more exciting future for the next generation of stakeholders.”
With more than 20 years of business and agriculture experience, Murphy joined Driscoll’s in 2008. In a series of successive roles within the company, he first headed North America’s supply and operations, before being promoted to serve as President of the Americas business unit. In late 2013, Murphy was promoted to his current role of President and COO. Prior to his role at Driscoll’s, Murphy held various strategic and executive roles with companies such as Fresh Express and Capurro Farms. Born and raised in South Africa, Murphy earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural economics from the University of Natal and his MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland.
About Driscoll’s
Driscoll’s is a fourth generation, family-owned company that has been involved in berry farming for more than 100 years. As the leading provider of fresh and organic berries, Driscoll’s works with independent farmers to produce the highest-quality strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries in the world, in an effort to continually delight all berry consumers. Driscoll's is the preferred berry partner of some of America’s leading chefs and culinary institutions. For more information visit www.driscolls.com and follow us on Twitter @driscollsberry.
Source: Driscoll’s
