Oppy

Todd Plaxton, left, and Derek Lenko

The Oppenheimer Group has announced two personnel changes designed to strengthen its Western Canadian sales efforts and its Mexican procurement arm.

Alberta-based sales manager Todd Plaxton has returned to Nogales, Arizona from 1 October in the newly created role of procurement manager. He joined Oppy as a sales representative in June 2015 and has more than a decade of experience in procurement.

Focusing specifically on Mexican-grown hothouse and field vegetables, Plaxton will secure new products and create new grower partnerships in alignment with Oppy’s growth strategy, according to Walt Breeden, vice president of sales for Canada and the US West Coast.

Derek Lenko has been promoted to sales manager of Oppy’s Calgary team. Lenko joined the company a decade ago, holding a wide range of positions including quality assurance assistant, operations coordinator and transportation supervisor.

In February 2012, Lenko was promoted to sales representative. With mentorship from Plaxton and Steve Young, Oppy’s director of sales, Canada—as well as an intense product knowledge and proven ability to understand and deliver on customer needs—Lenko is well equipped to lead the Calgary team, Breeden said.

“With Todd and Derek in these roles, we’re strengthening both ends of the Oppy supply chain,” Breeden said.

“Their contributions will enhance the service we provide to customers in Canada while creating a deeper and wider assortment of Mexican vegetables for those Oppy serves throughout our sales network.”