MustGrow, Vylor, Driscoll's: Agribusiness Shuffles Its Leadership Deck

MustGrow Biologics will install Kevin Helash as CEO on Nov. 1, bringing a former chief executive of Biotalys, Marrone Bio Innovations and Agrinos into the top job as founder-led transitions ripple across the agribusiness sector.

Helash also held senior executive positions at Agrium, now Nutrien. He replaces Corey Giasson, who moves to chief operating officer. The shuffle at the biologicals maker is one of at least four CEO changes announced across food and agriculture companies in recent weeks.

Who is moving where?

Vylor, the advanced seed and genetics company spun off from Corteva Agriscience, named Kurt Van Thomme chief legal officer and corporate secretary. Van Thomme spent more than seven years at Corteva, most recently as vice president, deputy general counsel and chief intellectual property counsel.

Sonoco elected Ernest D. Haynes III president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, succeeding Howard Coker. Haynes has spent nearly 30 years with the packaging maker and currently leads its Global Consumer Packaging business.

Hudsonville Ice Cream named CJ Ellens its next CEO, also effective Jan. 1. Ellens, currently executive vice president, has roughly 20 years with the Michigan-based manufacturer and will succeed Tina Floyd, who has led the company since 2023 and stays on as an adviser.

Interra International named Thomas Isaf CEO and president, effective Jan. 1, succeeding his father, founder Stephen Isaf, who becomes executive chairman. The younger Isaf joined in 2006, was named president in 2024 and most recently oversaw global sales, supply chain and trade functions across its turkey, chicken, pork and dairy businesses.

The pattern is clear: boards are promoting long-tenured insiders rather than hiring from outside.

What is happening at Driscoll's?

Soren Bjorn is departing Driscoll's after 20 years, having served as CEO from 2024 to 2026. He joined the berry giant in 2006 and led Driscoll's of the Americas as well as international business and global technologies. Bjorn will launch Gefion Advisors and advise Driscoll's during the transition. No successor was named in the announcement — a notable gap for the world's dominant berry marketer.

Which government and policy hands switched sides?

Eric Deeble joined UPSIDE Foods, the cultivated-meat company, as head of government relations. He previously served as deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA and as deputy assistant secretary for congressional relations, and earlier led policy at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and advised Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. His move gives UPSIDE a well-placed advocate as cultivated meat faces regulatory and political headwinds.

Franklin Davis was promoted to senior vice president of federal affairs at American Beverage after leading the industry's legislative agenda before Congress since joining in 2012.

The American Agricultural Law Association named Paul Goeringer of the University of Maryland president-elect, and added Kristi Boswell of Alston & Bird — a former senior adviser to the agriculture secretary — and Austin Vincent of the Kansas Department of Agriculture to its board.

What do the mid-level moves signal?

Elanco named Kinzie Davis district sales manager, Dairy East; she joined in 2016, most recently in food industry engagement, and is a Purdue graduate. Zoetis appointed Jake Peppiatt global brand strategy lead, ruminants, based in Dublin, after more than seven years with the company; he previously marketed U.S. cattle vaccines and held roles at Merck and Signal Theory.

ADS Produce hired Nick Brekken as senior vice president of business development from Grimmway Produce Group, where he was vice president of retail and wholesale development. Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling named Jeff Carter incoming president; he takes over in the first quarter of 2028 as Chuck Wyant retires, carrying more than 30 years in the Coca-Cola system.

Allen Lund Co. promoted Casey Tracey, 20 years in transportation, to general manager of its Los Angeles office. DMA Solutions promoted Marci Allen and Hena Husain and hired Chandell Lattin and Mary-Kate Anawaty. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council hired Taylor Vazquez from Noble West as communications director.

Tom Prior becomes head of strategy at the World Food Programme after co-founding consultancy Marinmoor. Todd Kesner, with 30 years in extension work, becomes interim associate dean of University of Arizona Cooperative Extension on Nov. 9.

Who is retiring?

Pietro Antonio Tataranni retires after eight years at PepsiCo as senior vice president and chief medical officer. He built the company's Life Sciences organization, oversaw its R&D Fellows Program and became its first chief medical officer. He remains on the boards of the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, Montai Health and Invaio Sciences.

The concentrated wave of Jan. 1 CEO start dates suggests more transition announcements — and Driscoll's succession among them — before year-end.