Berry marketer confirms board promotion for daughter of J Miles Reiter, effective January 2026, putting her on clear pathway to eventual group leadership
Berry marketer Driscoll’s has confirmed that Brie Reiter Smith – daughter of executive chairman J Miles Reiter – will officially become the company’s new vice-chair from January 2026.
The group’s board of directors originally selected Smith for the role in March 2025, and has now revealed she will formally take on that position full time at the start of next year.
Reiter will continue in his present role, while Smith takes on a range of responsibilities including principal interaction with shareholders, participation in agenda development, meeting planning, and leading specific aspects of board meetings.
According to the company, she already plays an important role in representing both family ownership and management to Driscoll’s staff and its broader community.
Smith has had a remarkable 14-year career at Driscoll’s. With her husband Brian, she began as a blueberry farm worker and later became a grower in Chile.
At a time when Driscoll’s faced significant challenges in that country, she took over as managing director and led a return to financial stability, while also helping to establish the group’s new operations in Peru.
On her return to the US, Smith headed up the US Northern District during a time of crisis, and is credited with restoring trust among growers through her frank and transparent approach.
As the group attests, she later led a redesign of the company’s quality system, creating economic incentives for better-tasting berries and improving the speed and clarity of feedback to growers.
Future group leader
For the past four years, she has led the product leadership team at Driscoll’s of the Americas, where she apparently redefined the role and created a blueprint now being adopted across the enterprise and with grower partners.
“Brie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and vision throughout her career,” said Reiter. “Her ability to navigate complex challenges while staying grounded in our company’s values makes her uniquely qualified for this role.”
He added: “Brie’s appointment as vice-chair is a natural progression, and I have every confidence in her continued impact on Driscoll’s future. As her father, my wife Rosanne and I are so proud of Brie and what she has brought to our common effort.”
Soren Bjorn, chief executive officer of Driscoll’s, commented: “Brie’s full-time transition to vice-chair comes at a pivotal time for Driscoll’s. As we continue to scale globally and embrace innovation, her deep understanding of our culture and her ability to connect with growers and leaders across regions will be invaluable.
“Brie brings continuity to our mission and a forward-looking perspective that will help us navigate the challenges ahead while staying true to the principles that have guided us for generations.”
Smith’s new appointment puts her on a clear pathway towards eventual leadership of the entire group.
“I am very motivated by this new opportunity to continue contributing to the company at a high strategic level, maintaining the family touch at Driscoll’s that, we hope, helps make it a great place, while also allowing me to be present for my family,” she said. “Assuming my responsibilities as vice-chair and now stepping down from management is the next step toward that vision – one that I believe benefits both our company and our family.”
