Jan 23, 2024

Driscoll’s names new president of the Americas

Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson is leaving the produce marketer to become Driscoll’s president of the Americas.

Mathieson has been at Zespri for 21 years, including seven as CEO, according to a statement from Zespri. He will remain at the New Zealand-headquartered kiwifruit marketer to oversee the 2024 harvest and until a new CEO is chosen, according to the statement.

“Under Dan’s exceptional leadership, Zespri grew sales from almost $2.3 billion in 2016-17 to a peak just over $4 billion in 2021-22 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, with that growth set to continue in the coming years,” Bruce Cameron, Zespri chair, said in the statement. “Through that time, he demonstrated his ability to bring talented people together, to set and execute strategy and ultimately to deliver great outcomes for the industry.”

Zespri’s board will conduct an executive search for Mathieson’s replacement.

“While I remain focused on the upcoming season, I’m really proud of what the industry is achieving,” Mathieson said in the Zespri statement. “The industry has a track record of making bold, forward-thinking decisions which have added strong and sustainable value for growers and communities where we operate.

“I’m most proud of the people at Zespri and their commitment to delivering for our growers and partners. We’ve built a terrific culture which can bring the best out of the best people to drive Zespri forward.”