Florida-based producer-importer Ayco Farms has hired three new team members to support its growth and expansion, according to a press release from the organisation.
The company’s CEO, Avi Nir, said Ayco’s investment in people, production and technology forms part of the firm’s commitment to providing the “best quality, service and experience” for its customers in order to build a world-class organisation.
In the last three months, Ayco has hired Lou Kertesz to lead its melon programme, Mike Dickman as category manager for greenhouse peppers, and Jason Miller as key accounts for all vegetable sales.
A 20-year industry veteran, Lou Kertesz joins Ayco as melon category manager to champion a diverse programme of supply from Central America, Mexico, Arizona and California.
Formerly a founding member and vice president of Fresh Quest, Kertesz comes to Ayco with great enthusiasm for building a year-round melon supply deal.
“I like the challenge of working with a company that has seen tremendous success in the past 10 years yet is still growing at a fast past,” said Kertesz.
“I see in Ayco the opportunity to use my experience in building a service-oriented, quality program. My father was a pacesetter and I look to continue his tradition of changing and revolutionizing the industry.”
Mike Dickman brings also brings over 25 years of experience in value added and branding to Ayco in his role as category manager for greenhouse peppers.
His goal is to expand the Ayco greenhouse pepper business as well as developing value added items.
Before joining Ayco, he was Western Division Sales Manager for NatureSweet Tomatoes.
“The chance to become part of the fast-paced Ayco organization and to help grow this segment is very exciting and appealing,” explained Dickman.
“Ayco will leverage its well-established expertise and logistics in this new segment of greenhouse peppers. We look forward to offering a line of new packaging and new products for our current and new customers.”
Jason Miller, meanwhile, will add new focus and energy to Ayco’s sales team where he will concentrate efforts on avocados and broccoli – new items for the company – as well as expanding growth in Ayco's traditional vegetable products.
With 13 yearsin produce, Miller was previously a broker-importer at All American Farms.
“It’s impressive to see how Ayco has grown in such a short time from an office on the Pompano Beach market to a worldwide supplier with a new, state-of-the-art facility,” stated Miller. “We all share the vision of the type of company Ayco is becoming.”
Ayco Farms is a vertically integrated producer and importer of a variety of fresh produce items, with growing operations in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the US.
The group also operates sales offices in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and McAllen, Texas.
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