OXNARD, CA - A new collaboration between the retail and fresh produce sectors has just been announced in the form of an appointment. Mission Produce™ has announced that Tony Bashir Sarsam, President and Chief Executive Officer of SpartanNash, will join its Board of Directors, effective August 14, 2023. In addition to his role with the retailer, he will now serve as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at Mission’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

“I am thrilled to join Mission Produce’s Board of Directors and contribute to the company’s position as a global leader in the avocado business,” said Sarsam. “There are many exciting opportunities for growth and innovation within the fresh produce industry, and I look forward to supporting Mission Produce’s journey to build trust and transparency in the produce supply chain.”

With this appointment, Mission will increase the size of its Board of Directors from eight to nine directors, a release explained.

Sarsam will use his more than three decades of food industry experience to help expand Mission’s network. He has extensive operational and executive-level expertise from several food distribution and retail companies, including SpartanNash.

Before joining SpartanNash, he held executive leadership positions at companies including Ready Pac Foods, Nestlé USA Direct Store Delivery Company, Dreyer’s, and more. In these roles, Sarsam built an impressive track record of driving record sales performance, leading organizational growth and transformation, and solving complex challenges with cross-functional business strategies.

Sarsam holds board positions at three non-profit organizations, including the Food Marketing Institute, Arizona State University Foundation, and Business Leaders for Michigan.

“We are pleased to welcome Tony to our Board of Directors at an exciting time in our company’s 40-year history,” said Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission Produce. “As Mission Produce continues to focus on our long-term strategic priorities to diversify supply and expand our marketing and distribution network, I believe Tony’s success in driving corporate performance and aligning capabilities with established growth objectives can support our progress toward our business and financial goals. His deep understanding of various business functions—including operations, supply chain, marketing, finance, sales, and corporate strategy—will provide our board and executive leadership team with invaluable insight and perspective.”

What developments will come from this cross-over? Keep reading AndNowUKnow for updates.

Mission Produce™