Driscoll’s, the US-based berry producer and supplier, has appointed Brie Reiter Smith, a member of the founding family, as its new chief executive officer.
Smith is the granddaughter of Joe Reiter, one of Driscoll’s co-founders, and the daughter of Miles Reiter, who serves as the company’s executive chairman.
She succeeds Soren Bjorn with immediate effect.
Bjorn joined Driscoll’s in 2006 and became CEO in 2023. He will remain involved during the leadership transition and support the business on “key strategic priorities”, the company said in a statement on 25 August.
Smith has held a number of senior positions within Driscoll’s, including managing director of its Chilean operations. She became vice chair of the company’s board in January.
Together with her husband, Brian, Smith owns BerrySmith, a blueberry-growing business in Chile.
Driscoll’s markets strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Its fruit is cultivated across more than 20 countries and sold in more than 40 markets worldwide.
Smith’s appointment follows several leadership changes at the fresh produce company in recent months.
In April, Driscoll’s created the role of chief operating officer and appointed Wyard Stomp to the position. He has retained responsibility for the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business alongside his new duties.
The company has also expanded the responsibilities of Shaily Sanghvi, its chief financial officer (CFO) for the Americas, to include global strategy.
In March, Driscoll’s appointed former Coca-Cola executive Wadih Khayat as its new CFO.