Chicago, IL – Produce Alliance, LLC. Chicago IL welcomes two new strategic hires, Kirk Massey and Dan Baker.
Dan Baker has joined Produce Alliance to help further develop their growing portfolio of national food service business with a specialized focus in processed items. Dan Baker comes with a wealth of knowledge and proven success in the Industry, having spent the last 16 years helping obtain new business by organic growth as well as new customer acquisitions while employed at Freshway Foods and Foodsource/CH Robinson companies. Dan’s integrity, passion and commitment to understanding the responsibility of providing safe and quality product to the end user customer is second to none. Produce Alliance is confident he will thrive within the internal organization as well as working in conjunction with their network of member distributors and growers.
“Dan will be able to bring his processing skills to Produce Alliance. His years of experience on the processing/sales side will bring our customers a clean understanding of the products we carry, the implementation of our products and overall efficiencies of processed items. His knowledge of local vs California processing will help our entire team,” – George Melshenker, President of Produce Alliance
Kirk Massey is joining Produce Alliance as a Senior Business Development Director with more than 20 years in the fresh produce industry and an extensive foodservice produce management background. Growing up with a family in the restaurant business, Kirk’s passion for produce began in the kitchen, with his father, at the young age of fourteen. After years of training, he began his career as an Executive Chef of a restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas from 1981-1984. Prior to his work in national produce management, he gathered a different layer of experience as a sales representative for Sysco shortly after moving into the management of several perishable categories. After that chapter, Kirk gained experience as a Director of Client Services managing the produce spend for many prominent national restaurant chains. Kirk will bring a vast range of benefits and opportunities to Produce Alliance, LLC.
When asked about his new role at Produce Alliance, Kirk responded, “Produce Alliance has a long history of being an industry leader. The innovation and vision of this organization is very exciting to me. I am excited and fortunate to now be a part of this great group”
“Produce Alliance welcomes Kirk. His experience as a consultant and his distribution skills will be an asset to our company. His rare combination of produce knowledge, sales strategy knowledge, and “hands on” dedication will help PA to grow our overall sales force.”
– George Melshenker, President of Produce Alliance
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In 1996, Produce Alliance, LLC. pioneered representing customers to the premier grower/shipper community, providing access to the highest quality fresh produce under contracts which assured supply while managing cost and risk.
Today, they specialize in providing fresh produce procurement and distribution services to food service clients across North America, the Caribbean and beyond. Managing an alliance of 54+ independently-owned specialty distributors of fresh products, with combined produce sales of over $4 billion annually. Each are carefully selected using the most rigorous qualification criteria. They commit to full compliance with the PA audited distribution, purchasing, and category management programs designed for client success.
Source: Produce Alliance, LLC
