DUNKLEY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales - Ingredient
Catherine Collins joined Cherry Central at the beginning of 2020. She brings almost 30 years of accounting and operations management experience in a variety of industries. Catherine is a certified management accountant (C.M.A.) and a member of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
A native of Traverse City, Catherine attended Grand Valley State University where she earned her BBA in Accounting. She worked in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area for a number of years before relocating back to Northern Michigan. When not at Cherry Central, Catherine enjoys her role on the Board of Directors of Munson Medical Center, skiing and hiking, and working with her husband on their small farm in Leelanau County.
"I'm really excited to combine my years of accounting knowledge with my personal farm experience to represent a wonderful group of members in a cooperative that is a leader in the industry."
Cheryl Saxton is one of the rare gems of the business world. She has been with Cherry Central for over 35 years and worked across multiple disciplines within the organization.
Cheryl was raised in Michigan. Born in Southfield, Michigan, she moved to Traverse City in the late 1970s. She began her career with Cherry Central while still attending high school at Traverse City H.S. The high school offered local work cooperative experience and Cheryl was hired as a receptionist and file clerk week days noon to 5pm.
She attended Northwestern Michigan College and was hired full time by Cherry Central as the assistant to the accounting manager. She oversaw the order management process for the ‘Naturally Good' brand and all USDA-related order fulfillment.
Cheryl supported the Customer Service department helping with transportation before she moved to the fresh produce business for a time, working for North Bay Produce.
In 1993, Cheryl left Cherry Central briefly to become a full-time mother and day care provider. When she returned to Cherry Central, she went to work in logistics, helping with inventory and processing support to the Vice President of Sales.
In 1998, Chery became the Logistics Manager for Cherry Central. In this role, she oversaw all order management and logistics. Cheryl was elevated to the Director of Operations in 2015, reporting directly to the CEO/President. She is a key leader within the organization and broadly respected by owners and employees alike.
Job Titles:
- for New Product Business Development Please Contact
- Sales and Marketing Development
Job Titles:
- Director of International Supply
Job Titles:
- National Sales Manager - Food Service
Melanie LaPerriere is a recognized leader in the further processed produce industry. She helped to create Naturipe Foods, launched in 2008 as a sales and marketing organization for a Midwestern based blueberry cooperative, a family owned blueberry grower from Delano, California, and a Santiago, Chile-based blueberry grower business.
She has directly impacted well-known brands, including Blue Diamond Almond consumer products, and Procter & Gamble branded food products. As Cherry Central's President and CEO, she now leads a cooperative of growers spanning across multiple growing regions including Ontario, Canada; Michigan, Utah and Washington state.
Cherry Central is a leading producer of Montmorency cherry juices and concentrates, Indian Summer apple products, IQF cherries & 5+1 cherries serving the ingredient market. Melanie comes to Cherry Central as our cooperative nears its 50th anniversary. Her focus is positioning the company for success well into the future.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Melanie attended Xavier University where she graduated with a BSBA in Marketing. She began her career in Cincinnati with Procter & Gamble. She later moved to Northern California, where she worked for Blue Diamond Growers. She resides in Michigan and works out of our Traverse City, Michigan headquarters.
Job Titles:
- National Sales Manager - Retail