AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., a global leader in post-harvest solutions to extend the freshness of fresh produce with a mission to reduce food loss and waste, has announced four key appointments to its leadership team. These new leaders will strengthen AgroFresh’s workforce and enhance its global operations, manufacturing, information technology (IT), digital solutions and human resources departments.
“As part of our growth strategy, we have appointed new leaders to our management team who will strengthen our capabilities to support our customers,” said Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh. “As a global company with operations, employees and customers of varying sizes and complexities across all major growing regions, it is vital that we have leaders with the experience and expertise to enable our business and improve that of our customers. These new leaders will help strengthen our operations, from supply chain and third-party vendor relationships to customer service support; lead our global IT strategy; continue to advance our FreshCloud digital quality platform; and help attract top talent to our organization, along with a global training and development program that will equip our global teams with the skills needed to support our customers.”
Improving operations and customer service worldwide
Ian MacKellar, Chief Operating Officer – He will lead the Global Operations group and ensure the company delivers consistent, high-quality products and services to more than 3,700 customers around the world that differentiate AgroFresh. Mr. MacKellar has more than 30 years of manufacturing and supply chain experience. Most recently, he was responsible for Pfizer’s McPherson, Kansas facility, one of the largest COVID-19 vaccine production plants. Mr. MacKellar is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has delivered transformational improvements in operational performance and costs. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University.
Strengthening the impact of global information technology
Claudio Rodrigues, Chief Information Officer – With 29 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, he will strengthen the focus and impact of AgroFresh’s global IT strategy. He was most recently CEO and IT Manager for Noven Pharmaceutical. Prior to Noven, Rodrigues held several senior positions at Stiefel and Pfizer in Corporate IT (CIT). Rodrigues holds a BS in Computer and Information Science from Ohio State University and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Expanding focus on AgTech digital solutions
Bradford Warner, Executive Director, Digital and Data Business – Will lead efforts in developing and executing a comprehensive digital business strategy and identify new opportunities for AgroFresh to expand FreshCloud, its leading digital quality inspection platform, into new regions and new crops. Mr. Warner has more than 25 years of experience and most recently led business development of agricultural data-as-a-service and ESG offerings for AGI Digital. Mr. Warner holds a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University and a master’s degree from Old Dominion University.
Global human capital development
Kristi Reinholz, Chief People Officer – She will lead global human capital strategies to attract, develop and retain talent at AgroFresh as an innovative organization focused on meeting the ever-changing needs of its customers. Reinholz was Chief People Officer for Unilever North America and brings more than 25 years of experience building high-performing teams and cultures across pharmaceutical, beauty and consumer goods companies. She holds a BA in Psychology from Elon University.
Lewis further commented: “These new leaders complement the previous changes we have made to our management team in the areas of Commercial and R&D over the past 18 months. We now have our full management team in place to continue advancing our vision of being the leader in the post-harvest segment of the fresh produce industry.”
