Pacific Trellis Fruit and Progressive Produce have appointed Rodolfo Spielmann president and CEO of the sister produce companies, effective Sept. 28. He succeeds Marty Kamer, who is retiring as CEO and will remain in an advisory role for the next few months to support the transition.
Spielmann most recently served as president and CEO of NatureSweet, the greenhouse tomato and vegetable brand, and has held senior leadership roles at Del Monte Foods, Mars, Central Garden & Pet and Procter & Gamble. The Los Angeles-based companies said he brings more than 30 years of experience in food, agriculture, fresh produce and consumer products.
“Pacific Trellis Fruit and Progressive Produce has a strong reputation for quality, service and partnership, and I look forward to building on that foundation as we continue serving our partners,” said Spielmann.
Transition from Kamer
Kamer, the former CEO of Progressive Produce, was named group CEO of both companies in September 2025 as part of a leadership restructuring that consolidated executive oversight while keeping the two businesses as separate entities with their own product lines and go-to-market strategies. The companies share majority owner Arable Capital Partners, which took a stake in Progressive Produce in 2024 after Dole plc sold its 65 percent interest to Pacific Trellis Fruit’s parent company.
The companies credited Kamer with helping shape the organization into what it is today. Spielmann will lead both businesses through their next phase, building on their service commitments to customers, growers, vendors and partners, according to the announcement.
Pacific Trellis Fruit, established in 1999, is a year-round grower, shipper and marketer of table grapes, cherries, stone fruit and citrus, as well as the Dulcinea line of seedless watermelons and Tuscan cantaloupes it acquired in 2014. Progressive Produce, founded in 1967, grows, packs and distributes conventional and organic produce, including potatoes, onions, asparagus, wet vegetables, chilis and herbs, to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in the U.S. and Canada.