VANCOUVER, B.C.— Oppy is ringing in the new year with the announcement of four sales promotions.
Garland Jaeger, Derek Lenko, Matthew Giddings and Leslie Germain have taken on new roles aimed at growing customer relationships and creating new business for the full-service produce marketer and distributor, according to David Smith, senior vice president of sales and categories.
“We are pleased to announce these changes to our sales team to keep pace with our growing sales,” he said. “The promotions of these qualified individuals will enhance our service to customers throughout the U.S. and in Canada.”
In Oppy’s Chino Hills, Calif. office, Garland Jaeger has been promoted from sales intern to business development representative, with an emphasis on foodservice sales. She will develop tailored marketing promotions with Northern California retailers, and focus on national foodservice sales opportunities.
Jaeger came to Oppy after finishing her master’s degree in Agribusiness from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June, 2012. She worked in foodservice sales at Francis Produce in Greenville, S.C. from autumn 2010 through the end of 2011.
“As the business development representative for Northern California, I plan to focus on the strong retail relationships we have already established in that region,” she said. “At the same time, my efforts will be dedicated to growing our food service business across the country, seeking opportunities to place more Oppy items into that arena.”
This is the first time Oppy has dedicated a business development resource specifically to the foodservice sector.
To strengthen its presence in Canada’s prairie provinces, Derek Lenko is the new sales representative in Oppy’s Calgary, Alberta office, a promotion from his most recent role of transportation supervisor in that location. Having joined Oppy in 2007, Lenko also held the positions of operations coordinator and sales and transportation coordinator over the last five years.
Lenko aims to add value to the Oppy transaction through his experience with quality control and transportation.
“Being a part of the sales team will be very interesting because it’s such a fast paced, diverse group of people who all bring different skills and knowledge to the table,” Lenko said. “I am looking forward to doing my part to help the company grow by helping build our business in Alberta and beyond.”
Matthew Giddings also comes into his new sales position with operations expertise. Oppy hired Giddings in June, 2011 as a sales and transportation coordinator in the company’s Tampa, Fla. office. His experience also includes roles in operations at Fisher Capespan from May 2010 to May 2011, and in quality control for Westlake Produce prior to that.
Giddings will now dedicate his time to taking care of existing customers and pursuing new accounts. He is also the coordinator for Oppy’s new Florida strawberry business.
“I look forward to drawing from the experiences I have had in the previous positions I’ve held as I approach the new Oppy sales role,” he said. “As well, the new Florida berry program is right in the backyard of our Tampa office — it is exciting to deliver a regional program in addition to our world of others.”
Oppy also announces Leslie Germain’s move from sales assistant to sales administrator in the company’s Houston office. Germain has been with the company for two and a half years, contributing at a high level in the small office that serves the Central U.S.
“I will be shifting my focus more towards sales efforts and responsibilities, moving away from a primarily administrative role,” she said. “I’ll be more involved in managing current business and growing new business, by taking on new programs with our customers.”
Source: Oppy
