Summerland, B.C., Canada – Jennifer Armen, a 30-year veteran of the produce industry, has been named Director, Business Development and Marketing for Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) and is now an official employee of OSF’s parent company, Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON).
Armen had been working as a consultant since July 2009 through her own company, The Armen Group, and while OSF had been among her chief clients, she will now become a full-time member of OSF’s senior management team. Before forming The Armen Group, she held a number of prominent positions throughout the produce industry, including roles with Nunhems, Syngenta, Pace International, and Frieda’s. Armen has enjoyed a wide-range of roles and responsibilities with these organizations, primarily management-level positions with an emphasis on business development and marketing of novel technologies.
In her now expanded role, Armen will drive OSF’s business strategy to market the firm’s nonbrowning Arctic® apple varieties and will oversee all aspects of commercial development for the company. Arctic® apples received commercial approval in Canada and the U.S. earlier this year, and Armen will be working with OSF’s partners to bring the company’s first two nonbrowning varieties, Arctic® Granny and Arctic® Golden to market. She will also be responsible for the development of new market initiatives, assessing new markets and analyzing business opportunities for OSF.
“Jennifer has been a driving force in the development and approval processes for nonbrowning Arctic® apples, not to mention her importance in our public education and industry outreach efforts” explains OSF president Neal Carter. “She has been an integral part of our team at OSF for years, and we are thrilled that she is now dedicating her full-time efforts to our management team.”
According to Jennifer, “OSF’s passion for improving the food we produce through innovation is second-to-none, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help introduce Arctic® apples, and many other value-added biotech products which will offer value throughout the supply chain.”
Armen holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Botany from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. She currently resides in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
About Okanagan Specialty Fruits
Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. is a dynamic biotechnology company dedicated to developing new commercial tree fruit varieties that are attractive to consumers, and are more profitable for producers and retailers. For consumer information, visit www.arcticapples.com; for information about the company and partnership opportunities, visit www.okspecialtyfruits.com.
Source: Okanagan Specialty Fruits