Chiquita Brands International has expanded its board of directors from eight to nine people with the addition of Kerrii Anderson, former chief executive officer and president of restaurant operator and franchiser Wendy's.
Ms Anderson, who will also serve as a member of the company's audit committee, is due to take up her new role on 1 April 2009.
According to chairman and chief executive officer Fernando Aguirre, Ms Anderson brings significant management experience in finance, accounting and executive leadership.
'We are proud to welcome Kerrii to Chiquita's board,' said Mr Aguirre. 'Her leadership and extensive skills in executing a strategic business transformation will enhance an already strong group of independent board members whose vision and expertise continue to advance Chiquita's sustainable growth strategy.'
Ms Anderson, who was at the helm at Wendy's from 2006 to 2008 and oversaw last year's merger with Triarc Companies, said she relished the new challenge ahead. 'Chiquita is an exciting company with two powerful, trusted brands,' she commented. 'I look forward to bringing my experience to Chiquita's board and working with the management team to build shareholder value.'
From 2000 to 2006, Ms Anderson served as Wendy's executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Before that, she served as senior vice-president and chief financial officer of M/I Schottenstein Homes from 1987 to 2000.
A certified public accountant, Ms Anderson is also a director of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, as well as being a member of the finance committee of Ohio Health and of the finance and audit committee of The Columbus Foundation.
She also serves as a member of the board of trustees of Elon University.
In addition to Mr Aguirre and Ms Anderson, Chiquita's board of directors currently includes: Howard Barker, former partner of KPMG; William Camp, former executive of the Archer Daniels Midland Company; Robert Fisher, a private investor with more than 35 years senior management experience at various banana companies; Clare Hasler, executive director of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California at Davis; Durk Jager, former chairman, president and chief executive officer at Procter & Gamble; Jaime Serra, senior partner of Serra Associates International, a consulting firm in law and economics, and Mexico's former secretary of finance and secretary of trade and industry; and Steven Stanbrook, president, developing markets platform at SC Johnson & Son.
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