California Ag TODAY: DRISCOLL’S MANAGEMENT CHANGE FOR NEW STRATEGIES

Driscoll’s, the world’s largest distributor of fresh berries and based in Watsonville, announced changes in the organization yesterday to further advance their global business strategy. “Our mission is to continually delight berry consumers through alignment with our customers and our berry growers,” said J. Miles Reiter, Driscoll's Chairman and CEO. “Over the last 25 years, we have seen Driscoll’s grow and develop into a multi-faceted leader of the North American fresh berry industry, with expanding brand presence in other parts of the world. The changes in our executive management structure will position the company to build new capabilities for the next 25 years of continued growth in this exciting industry,” Mr. Reiter stated.

Foremost among the changes is the formation of a new global management team that will be completed by December 1, 2013. Kevin Murphy has been promoted to President and COO of Driscoll’s. Mr. Murphy has been elevated from his current position as President of Driscoll’s of the Americas. “Kevin has demonstrated the leadership skills, focus and judgment required to take our diverse global business units to the levels called for in the strategic plan,” noted Mr. Reiter.

Mr. Reiter also confirmed his plan to continue in the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Driscoll’s focusing his energies on strategic direction and capabilities.

Mr. Reiter commented, “I am excited by the future for Driscoll’s under Kevin’s leadership. We are putting in place the leadership, organization capabilities and collaborations with our customer and berry grower partners that will enable us to achieve the aspiration of our global vision. Looking to the future, we will have a broader global reach and must be well-coordinated to pursue our core mission across a wide range of geographies and cultural traditions."