The team will work closely with licensees and nursery partners across Mountain Blue’s key international markets
Mountain Blue has announced the appointment of a team of three new territory managers to strengthen its support for licensed growers across the Americas, China, and Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India.
The appointments come as Mountain Blue celebrates 50 years since founder Ridley Bell began breeding blueberries, with the company’s genetics now grown under licence in more than 30 countries.
The new territory managers will work closely with licensees and nursery partners across Mountain Blue’s key international markets, connecting growers with the company’s breeding and trial programmes, supporting plant supply and helping licensees maximise the potential of Mountain Blue genetics in their regions.
Rodrigo Cilloniz has been appointed territory manager, Americas. Based in Lima, Peru, Cilloniz brings almost 20 years’ operational and commercial leadership experience, including eight in blueberries. He previously held roles at Fall Creek Nursery, North Bay Produce and Driscoll’s. Cilloniz will support licensees throughout North, Central, South America and the Caribbean.
Zhengyi (Bee) Lin will take on the role of territory manager, China. Based in Yunnan, Lin holds an MSc in Plant Science from Wageningen University & Research. She began her career as a Horticulturist with Costa in China and, since 2024, has been research and development director for Berries Blue China, leading hydroponic blueberry research and cultivar evaluation. Lin will work closely with Mountain Blue’s licensees and partners across China and Asia.
Craig Fulton has also been appointed international R&D technical manager and territory manager, Europe, Africa, Middle East and India. Based in Cape Town, Fulton joined Mountain Blue in 2023. He previously served as general manager, variety development at Cape Variety Group and head of technical at BerryWorld South Africa. As international R&D technical manager, he coordinates the global rollout of new selections and international plant supply. He will now also lead licensee engagement across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India.
“Our genetics are now planted in more than 30 countries, and having experienced people on the ground, close to our licensees, has never been more important,” said Andrew Bell, managing director of Mountain Blue.
“Rodrigo, Bee and Craig bring real depth of experience and strong relationships in their regions and will help us to continue building long lasting partnerships with our growers around the world.”
The appointments also mark an important milestone as Mountain Blue celebrates 50 years of blueberry breeding and innovation under the leadership of founder Ridley Bell. Ridley began his career in Victoria, Australia in 1975, assessing northern highbush seedlings from North America, before moving to Northern New South Wales in 1981 to develop low-chill blueberries that bridge the Northern and Southern Hemisphere seasons.
“Fifty years ago I set out to breed a better blueberry, but I’ve never done that alone,” said Ridley Bell, founder and head of research and development at Mountain Blue. “Everything we have achieved has been built with our team, our growers and the wider industry. Having people like Rodrigo, Bee and Craig supporting our growers around the world is an important part of continuing that work.”
