Farm Fresh Direct has announced that after an extensive search they have named Jamey Higham as President effective immediately. Jamey, was most recently VP of Sales for Potandon Produce of Idaho Falls, ID, and over his years at Potandon held several senior management positions including VP of Foodservice Sales and Director of New Business Development. Jamey started his produce career with Walker Produce as a logistics manager, then became a sales person for the Pillsbury Company for Green Giant Fresh. Jamey then took a leap into the automotive world and held several management roles with the Ford Division of the Ford Motor Company. “But my heart was in produce, and I came back to potatoes” said Jamey.
“Jim Knutzon has been President and CEO since Farm Fresh began, and strategically led us through great growth. When he announced he planned to retire, we knew we had a hard job in front of us to find his replacement” said Virgil Esperanza, a Farm Fresh grower and current Chairman of the Board. Virgil went on to say “after many interviews we found Jamey, and we believe he brings the perfect balance of experience, strategic thinking and people skills needed to continue the growth that Farm Fresh and our members have come to expect. We’re excited to have Jamey join our team”.
Jamey added “I had a great experience at Potandon, they are a strong company with very good people. But when the opportunity came up with Farm Fresh, it represented a new chapter in my career, certainly with new challenges but also real opportunities. Jim Knutzon has laid a strong foundation, one which I hope to build upon”.
Jim Knutzon will remain at Farm Fresh as CEO until his planned retirement in November to aid in the transition, however Jim did say “that during this transition I might be doing a little more fishing, but seriously I’m excited to have Jamey join Farm Fresh, he’ll be a valuable asset”. Once the transition is completed, Jamey will take over the balance of the CEO responsibilities
Jamey currently sits on the United Fresh Government Relations Council, is a past recipient of Produce News 40 under 40, and was also a member of United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership class 13. Jamey and his family plan to relocate to Colorado.
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About Farm Fresh Direct, LLC
Farm Fresh Direct, with headquarters in Monte Vista, CO, and offices in Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA, is a partnership of multi-generational family potato farms located around the U.S. Started in 1999, Farm Fresh has grown to be the largest grower owned grower / shippers of fresh potatoes in the U.S. Farm Fresh has long been recognized for its’ innovation, new variety development, and most recently for its’ strong commitment to organic potatoes. To find out more about Farm Fresh Direct go to: http://farmfreshdirect.net/
Source: Farm Fresh Direct, LLC
