YAKIMA, WA - Leadership changes are underway at Sage Fruit Company after announcing a Chief Executive Officer Transition. Steve Clement, current CEO, will assume the position of PNW Tree Fruit’s new Chief Executive Officer in addition to stepping into the role of Chairman of the Board for Sage Fruit Company. Nicole Gordy, who has been serving as the company’s Director of Business Analytics, will be promoted to CEO.

“I am extremely excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the CEO of Sage Fruit. Steve Clement’s leadership and mentorship have prepared me for this role, and I look forward to working with him in his capacity as Chairman of the Sage Fruit Board. I am confident that this change strengthens Sage’s position in our industry by further aligning sales with our warehouses and growers. I look forward to collaborating closely with our outstanding team to advance our growth and continue fulfilling our mission to create value for our customers, growers, and employees,” Gordy commented.

In Clement’s new role, he will collaborate with Gordy and continue to guide the company’s strategic direction.

“I am immensely proud of what we have built at Sage Fruit Company. The sales and warehouse teams associated with Sage operate in close synergy. We have developed systems and processes that ensure our box is unmatched in the industry for consistent quality. Our teams work closely together and deeply care about each other, our growers, and our customers,” Clement expressed. “I am confident that this will continue under Nicole’s leadership. She is committed to maintaining the values and mission of the organization, which is to create value for Customers, Growers, and Employees. I look forward to collaborating with Nicole to drive Sage’s strategic goals as we collectively work to align the organization further with growers, from packing to sales, to enhance grower profits and support our customers in expanding their market share and sales.”

PNW Tree Fruit is a strategic move for both Clement and Sage Fruit Company, as the company owns approximately 6,000 acres of treefruit as well as Legacy Fruit Packers, Chelan Fruit, and Manson Fruit. Legacy Fruit Packers has been a Sage packer since 1999, and Chelan Fruit has been a Sage packer since 2022.

For more information about PNW Tree Fruit and Steve’s move, click here.

As always, ANUK will continue to keep you posted on the latest happening across the industry.