After two decades of global sales leadership in the specialty food and ingredient sectors, Kris High has joined the executive team at hemp-derived non-psychoactive cannabinoid manufacturer Folium Biosciences as the company’s first chief commercialization officer. 

Elo Life Systems, a food and agriculture company with a mission to improve human health and wellness, announced that Alec Hayes, Ph.D., has joined Elo Life Systems as vice president of technology and products.

Vincent Ahmuty joins MORRE-TEC with 10 years of experience in the food industry working with dried fruit, nuts, grains, spices, cheese, and chips. 

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that Athina Kanioura has been appointed executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer. She will report to chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.

Mars, Incorporated announced the hiring of Dr. Maria Velissariou as the new global corporate research & development (R&D) vice president and chief science officer. Dr. Velissariou joins Mars on Sept. 13 and will lead Mars' enterprise-wide approach to quality and food safety, scientific & regulatory affairs and deliver Mars' R&D strategy in partnership with its business segments.

Jones Soda Co. appointed 38-year CPG and foodservice industry veteran Mark Murray as president, effective Sept. 1, 2020.

The company’s nine operating units will replace current groups and business units, effective Jan. 1, 2021, subject to consultation where required under local laws. These changes will help eliminate duplication of resources and enhance the company’s ability to scale new products more quickly.

Idaho Milk Products welcomes Florian Middelhuis to the position of vice president of sales and marketing on July 1, 2020. Middelhuis’s expertise in the dairy industry, his knowledge of international markets and his aptitude in customer relations will take their sales & marketing team to a higher level of customer service, providing customers with the knowledge and ingredients they require to develop high-quality products. 

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, the premier brand and provider of fine vanilla extracts and natural food flavors, announced that Jonathan Thompson has joined Nielsen-Massey Vanillas as chief executive officer, in an announcement released today by the company’s board of directors.

Organic Valley promoted Nicole Rakobitsch to director of sustainability, launching a new centralized department for the nation's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative. While dairy faces questions around climate change and the impact of animal agriculture, Rakobitsch leads projects to improve the sustainability of organic family farms.