Dive Brief:

• ​Bagged salad and fresh-cut fruit giant Ready Pac has hired Tony Sarsam as CEO, ending a months-long search following the announcement of long-time CEO Michael Solomon.
• Sarsam does not have produce experience, but has an extensive background from the soft drink and snack side of the business at Nestle Direct Store Delivery, Nestle's Dreyers Ice Cream, and PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division.
• Phil Theodore, who was hired as president and COO in January, will remain in that role for the Irwindale, Calif.-based company.

Dive Insight:

Sarsam is said to have a reputation for product innovation. Certainly his experience at Nestle and Frito-Lay would suggest a familiarity with sophisticated techniques in marketing, packaging and branding of new products—all of which are areas in which the bagged-salad/cut-fruit business is lacking. Anyone, or anything, that might be able to turn fresh produce into something consumers view as being as safe and easy to eat as a bag of chips or an ice cream treat has our support.