Grand Junction, MI – MBG Marketing announced that Robert E. Hawk has been selected as its’ new CEO/President effective August 1, 2012.
“Bob’s experience in value-added new product development and plant operations are an excellent fit for our recently completed strategic plan” said Pat Goin, Chairwoman of the MBG Board of Directors. “Customer and consumer awareness of the health benefits and the great flavor attributes of blueberries continue to spur high demand for fresh and processed blueberries. Bob has a broad range of experiences which will help him manage and lead our grower cooperative as we continue to identify and meet the needs and opportunities in this expanding category.”
During his 35 years of professional experience Mr. Hawk has worked in a variety of production and senior management positions at leading consumer products companies including; Weaver Popcorn Company, Inc., CROSSMARK, Inc., Northland Cranberries, Inc. and Regal Ware, Inc.
“I am very excited about MBG’s solid base that has been built since 1936 and the foresight to invest in new innovations and expanded capabilities. We will continue to focus on growing and delivering a high level of quality products and services that lead to solid customer relationships, loyal consumers and long-term grower profitability” stated Bob. “I am also very impressed with the Naturipe organization and the collaborative nature of the four partner organizations. This grower-owned, global sales and marketing organization which is focused on fresh and processed berries, is truly unique and clearly has been a point of differentiation” added Bob.
“In 2013 we have several exciting projects that Bob and the MBG management team will implement, including a new value-added facility in South Haven, MI which will consist of a state of the art, IQF (instantly quick frozen) berry processing plant” according to Pat Goin. “We will also introduce several new proprietary blueberry varieties that have been developed by our in-house plant breeders that have incredible flavor, size and improved vigor for better shelf life. As a growers cooperative we also focus on attracting additional high quality growers into the organization so that we can provide a consistent supply of delicious berries to our clients”. She added that “Bob will hit the ground running on Aug 1st as this record 2012 season enters the last few months and we start preparing for double digit growth in 2013. Needless to say we are thrilled to have him join our team and lead the organization!”
Bob and his wife Tina will be moving to the greater Grand Junction area in the very near future.
MBG Marketing, the Blueberry People, is a producer-owned blueberry marketing cooperative, with many multi generation farm families growing primarily blueberries in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. In conjunction with its partners at Naturipe Farms, MBG is the largest marketer of fresh and processed blueberries in the world.
Source: MBG Marketing