CALAVO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Vice President
Dionisio Ortiz began his career in 1986 with Calavo in Michoacán, Mexico as Director of Operations. As Managing Director in 1994, Dionisio was instrumental in the legalities of opening and incorporating Calavo de Mexico. In 1998, Dionisio was again promoted to his current position of Vice President of Calavo. Dionisio is the former Secretary and current delegate representing Calavo in APEAM (Association of Producers and Packers of Avocados from Mexico) and former Secretary of UDECAM (Union of Packers and Marketers of Avocados de Michoacán) representing Calavo de Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Graciela Montgomery joined Calavo in October 2021, bringing extensive knowledge of national and multinational companies in the human resources arena. Graciela oversees human resources, training, talent development and recruitment for Calavo, which has nearly 4,000 employees across the U.S. and Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
- President
Lee Cole rejoined Calavo as President and Chief Executive Officer in March of 2023. Lee previously served as Calavo's President & CEO from 1999 to 2020, as a Director of Calavo for 39 years, and as Chairman of the Board for 28 years. He was responsible for bringing Calavo into the publicly traded market and making it one of the largest avocado companies in the world, as well as being instrumental in the acquisition of Renaissance Food Group, which is now known as Calavo's Prepared business.
Job Titles:
- EVP
- Member of the Leadership Team
- EVP Sales & Operations
Mike Browne recently rejoined Calavo as EVP Sales & Operations. Mike has more than 40 years of experience in worldwide procurement and distribution of fresh avocados and other fresh produce items, including his tenure as Vice President, Fresh Operations for Calavo from 2005-2019. Over the course of his career he has obtained a commanding knowledge of fresh fruit production, with extensive operations, logistics, marketing and sales management experience in the U.S., Americas, Asia and European markets.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Senior Vice President
Rob Wedin has worked at Calavo for 49 years and serves as the Senior Vice President of Calavo Grown. He has been instrumental in expanding Calavo's line of high-growth, high-margin avocado and related commodity foods. Rob is the current Chairman at Hass Avocado Board Global Data Committee and current Executive Committee member at producesupply.org and is the past Director of the California Avocado Commission and past Chairman of the Avocado Inspection Committee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- Member of the Leadership Team
- EVP Calavo Foods Division
Ron Araiza recently rejoined Calavo as Executive Vice President Fresh Foods after a short hiatus and is responsible for leading the company's guacamole and avocado foods segment. Ron has over 30 years in the produce and food industry, and is a past Alternate Board Member of the California Avocado Commission.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Chier Financial Officer
Shawn Munsell has over 20 years of financial expertise combined with an industry background in food production and agriculture. His responsibilities include treasury, finance, real estate and procurement. Munsell holds a bachelor's degree in economics with honors from the University of Michigan - Flint and an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.