Driscoll’s, the US berries supplier, has named founding-family member Brie Reiter Smith its new CEO.
Smith’s grandfather, Joe Reiter, was a co-founder of Driscoll’s. She is also the daughter of Miles Reiter, the company’s executive chairman.
She takes over from Soren Bjorn in the new role, with immediate effect.
Bjorn joined Driscoll’s in 2006 and was appointed CEO in 2023.
He will continue to support the business through the transition and help with “key strategic priorities”, the company said in a statement yesterday (25 August).
Smith has held multiple roles across Driscoll’s, including the managing director of its business in Chile.
In January, she assumed the role of vice chair of the company’s board.
Along with her husband Brian, Smith also owns the blueberry operation BerrySmith in Chile.
Driscoll’s sells strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. The company’s berries are grown in more than 20 countries and on sale in over 40.
The appointment is the latest in a string of leadership changes at Driscoll’s in recent months.
In April, the group appointed Wyard Stomp to the newly created position of chief operating officer. He continues to oversee the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations alongside that role.
The company also broadened the remit of Shaily Sanghvi, the chief financial officer (CFO) for Americas, by adding global strategy duties.
In March, Driscoll’s named former Coca-Cola executive Wadih Khayat its CFO.
“Berries supplier Driscoll’s names new CEO” was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.