Aug 8, 2017

Vertrees promoted to new position at Naturipe Farms

Naturipe Farms  has promoted  Brian Vertrees to Director of Business Development-West. In this new role, Vertrees will focus on providing additional leadership, guidance and direction for Naturipe’s West Coast blueberries and all organic berry programs.

“It comes with great joy to promote Brian from within the Naturipe familyto take on this new role. His vast industry knowledge and experience with berries makes him the perfect fit for this position. He is well-respected and a trusted individual in our industry. I have no doubt that he’ll continue to do a wonderful job helping lead our organization to meet its goals and objectives for his area of responsibility,” says Jim Roberts, Naturipe’s VP of Sales-East.

Vertrees joined Naturipe Farms in 2011, originally hired as an Account Manager and then promoted to Senior Account Manager in April 2014. “Brian has shown a great passion for the berry business and has a proven track record of connecting our growers to our customers to maximize sales of high quality Naturipe berries, and in his new role this will allow him to expand this even further,” adds Roberts.

“Naturipe continues to grow and I am thrilled to take on this larger role and be a part of this journey with such a great organization,” said Vertrees.

Vertrees is a graduate of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program (Class 21), a graduate of Naturipe Farms Cultivate Leadership Program (Class 3), and a 40 under 40 Produce Business Magazine recipient.

Vertreees is planning to relocate his family in the near future and be based out of Naturipe’s headquartered office in Salinas and will report to both Jim Roberts, VP of Sales-East, and Vinnie Lopes, VP of Sales-West.

Naturipe Farms is a grower-owned producer and marketer of healthy, best tasting, premium berries and avocados. An industry leader for over 100 years in producing healthy and delicious fruit, and value added products. The diverse grower base and focus on innovation ensures year-round availability of “locally grown” and “in-season global” conventional and organic fruit.

Naturipe is a partnership between highly-esteemed growers, whose fields are spread across the globe. By sharing resources, skills, labor and knowledge, we are better farmers and in turn strengthen the local farm community. To ensure consistent, year-round availability with a commitment to “locally grown” seasonal produce, our products are farmed in the most optimal growing regions throughout North and South America.

Source: Naturipe Farms