FRESNO, CA -- When Rob O'Rourke, former president of RJO Produce Marketing, here, and a founding partner of the company, left to work for Topco in Chicago nearly four years ago, his brother John O'Rourke, also a founding partner, stepped into the position of president at RJO. About nine months ago, after spending three years with Topco, Rob O'Rourke returned to RJO as senior vice president of retail development. "John continues to be president of RJO, and John is our leader, guiding the company as we go forward," Rob O'Rourke told The Produce News in an interview April 23. "My focus is really

Three promotions have recently taken place in the senior produce ranks at Sobeys Quebec. Pat Calabretta, the former director of produce merchandising, was promoted to senior director of produce merchandising and buying. Simon Faucher was promoted to head buyer, and Francis Berube was promoted to head merchandiser. In his new position, Mr. Calabretta, who has been with Sobeys Quebec for the past 11 years, will be in charge of merchandising, procurement and quality control. "I find it is better for management because I am touching both sides," Mr. Calabretta told The Produce News. "It's

"L&M continues to enjoy steady growth," said Bobby Creel, director of business development for the Raleigh, NC-based company. "We are always adding to our line of high-quality products and staying on the cutting edge of produce trends and demands." Mr. Creel said that the cherry crop in Washington state had a full bloom in early April, so a good program is anticipated through the month of June. "We are now finishing our organic apple crops in Washington," he said. "Then we'll start with organic and conventional apricots, peaches and nectarines for the summer." L&M Cos. also produces organic

CHICAGO -- The Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic Conference & Trade Show, held here April 26-29, was a perfect venue for Albert's Organics, a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of organic produce, and Strube Celery & Vegetable Co., the oldest established produce distributor in Chicago, to announce their new partnership that will have Strube distributing Albert's Organics' products throughout the Chicago area. "Strube is a 95-year-old company with a strong and exemplary reputation in the Midwest," said Scott Dennis, vice president of business development for Albert's Organics'

Four Seasons Produce Inc. in Ephrata, PA, announced that industry veteran John Gilmore joined the organization April 28 in the role of director of procurement. "With over 30 years of very successful leadership, management and produce procurement experience in both wholesale and retail sectors, John is very well suited to lead our team of purchasing professionals," Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons Produce Inc., said in a press release. "His broad experience coupled with what we determine to be a very good cultural fit in our organization make him exactly what

BOSTON -- Mark DeFrancesco is quite proud of 4M Fruit Distributors' new space here at the New England Produce Center. "We're on the move again," Mr. DeFrancesco told The Produce News. "This is an addition that we have been trying to make for the last few years, and like the old saying goes, location and timing are everything. "A lot of companies tend to be stagnant, while we on the other hand are a lot more aggressive," he added. "At 4M, we all have one goal: to meet all of our customers' specific needs. As times are changing, so is the customer base. That so-called built-in business is much