Freska Produce International, LLC, a company in the mango and avocado sector, and Agrifruit, a strawberry marketer/grower processor, announced the joint appointment of Paul Gagliardi as chief financial officer for both organizations, effective December 2, 2024. In this unique role, Gagliardi will oversee the financial strategies, planning, and operations for both companies, driving value creation and fostering collaboration across all financial aspects of both companies. Recently, Freska announced its investment in Agrifruit, and hiring Gagliardi is a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between the two companies.
Gagliardi brings a wealth of experience with 10 years in the produce business, having held key leadership positions at Reiter Affiliated in Oxnard, California. Most recently, he served as VP of global planning and analysis at Reiter, where he was instrumental in achieving many accomplishments related to their billion-dollar annual global revenue, transformative growth, improved financial performance, and significant M&A activity. Further, his eight years of auditing experience at KPMG provide a strong foundation of experience to build upon for both companies.
Paul Gagliardi
"We are excited to welcome Paul to both Freska and Agrifruit," said Gary Clevenger of Freska Produce International LLC. "His deep financial expertise, leadership, and ability to navigate complex business environments will be pivotal as we advance our goals and strengthen our partnership."
"Paul's appointment reflects our commitment to innovation and operational excellence," said Bobby Jones of Agrifruit, LLC. "We are confident he will help drive the success of both organizations and unlock new opportunities for collaboration."
"I am honored to join both Freska and Agrifruit in this exciting, shared role," said Gagliardi. "I look forward to working closely with both leadership teams to leverage synergies, optimize financial performance, and achieve shared strategic objectives."
This shared CFO model underscores Freska's and Agrifruit's commitment to innovative approaches to leadership, resource sharing, and partnership-driven success in the produce industry.
For further information:
Gary Clevenger
Freska Produce International, LLC
Tel: +1 (805) 650-1040
[email protected]
www.freskaproduce.com
Agrifruit, LLC
www.bobaluberries.com