Former Danone Exec Becomes Chief Operating Officer at NatureSweet to Further Support the Company’s Growth and Investment in Vertical Integration

SAN ANTONIO, TX, (April 16, 2024) – NatureSweet, the largest vertically integrated agricultural company in North America and the #1 snacking tomato brand announced that supply chain expert Gerardo Chavez has joined the ranks of its leadership team as Chief Operating Officer, as the company growths accelerates. Gerardo has had a successful global career at companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Pepsico, Clorox, and more recently at Danone, where he served as D2D/COO LATAM and oversaw extended supply chain operations for Danone.

“NatureSweet’s commitment to transform the lives of millions of agricultural workers in North America is clear by our investment to add hundreds of hectares of controlled environment agriculture in the next few years, needed to support our accelerated growth. Providing our consumers with the best-tasting produce and our customers with the superior service and quality they deserve requires us to continue improving. Gerardo’s proven track record overseeing global supply chains for industry titans will propel our company forward,” says Rodolfo Spielmann, NatureSweet President & CEO. “His ability to navigate complex landscapes from manufacturing to digital transformation will help spawn a new chapter of growth and efficiency.”

Gerardo began his career in business logistics as an intern at P&G where he eventually became an Associate Director in Product Supply. He has earned certificates in supply chain and digital business transformation from Penn State, International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, MIT, and México’s IPADE Business School. Gerardo graduated with Honors from The National University in México with a degree in chemical engineering and earned his MBA from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Gerardo and his wife have two adult children. He enjoys traveling with them and scuba diving. He’s also an avid sports fan and loves cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Liverpool FC.

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About NatureSweet® (NS Brands, Ltd.)
NatureSweet® is the single-source solution for greenhouse-grown vegetables and is the #1 best-selling brand in snacking tomatoes. The largest vertically integrated agriculture company in North America, NatureSweet guarantees great tasting produce year-round, both organic and conventional. Our vegetables are carefully grown, harvested, and packaged by more than 6,000 directly employed company Associates. NatureSweet tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers are handpicked at the peak of freshness and sold at major supermarket retailers throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. NatureSweet is dedicated to having a positive social, environmental, and economic impact within our communities, and our commitment is to transform the lives of agricultural workers throughout North America. This work, as well as our efforts regarding sustainability, have led us to earn B Corp, Fair Trade, and the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certifications.

Media Contact:
Jenny Halpin
Senior External Corporate Communications Manager
NatureSweet®
[email protected]