Oxnard, California-based Mission Produce Inc. has appointed Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective Aug. 14.
Sarsam has been appointed as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at the company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produce’s board of directors has increased the size of the board from eight to nine directors.
“I am thrilled to join Mission Produce’s board of directors and contribute to the company’s position as a global leader in the avocado business,” Sarsam said.
“There are many exciting opportunities for growth and innovation within the fresh produce industry, and I look forward to supporting Mission Produce’s journey to build trust and transparency in the produce supply chain.”
Sarsam is an executive with more than 30 years of experience in the food industry, including extensive operational and executive-level experience at numerous food distribution and retail companies. Since 2020, Sarsam has served as the president and CEO of SpartanNash, a $9.6 billion food solutions company with 17,500 employees and a global supply chain network.
Prior to joining SpartanNash, Sarsam held executive leadership positions at companies including Borden Dairy Co., Ready Pac Foods, Nestlé USA Direct Store Delivery Co., Dreyer’s and PepsiCo, where he built a track record of driving record sales performance, leading organizational growth and transformation and solving complex challenges with cross-functional business strategies.
In addition to serving on the board of SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation, Sarsam holds board positions at three nonprofits, including the Food Marketing Institute, Arizona State University Foundation and Business Leaders for Michigan.
“We are pleased to welcome Tony to our board of directors at an exciting time in our company’s 40-year history,” said Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission Produce.
“As Mission Produce continues to focus on our long-term strategic priorities to diversify supply and expand our marketing and distribution network, I believe Tony’s success in driving corporate performance and aligning capabilities with established growth objectives can support our progress toward our business and financial goals. His deep understanding of various business functions – including operations, supply chain, marketing, finance, sales and corporate strategy – will provide our board and executive leadership team with invaluable insight and perspective.”
