Azzule Systems, a leading provider of global data management solutions throughout all levels of the supply chain based in Santa Maria, CA, announced that Bruce Knobeloch has joined the company as senior vice president of business development.

Russell Boyd, a longtime produce veteran whose love of teaching and mentoring was well known to those who knew him, died suddenly Dec. 28 at his home in Fullerton, CA. He was 62.

One of Mr. Boyd's last public appearances was as a panelist at a salad bar conference hosted by the United Fresh Produce Association and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council in mid-December. The seminar appearance was apparently indicative of his produce career.

NoKota Packers Inc., located in Buxton, ND, has more than three decades of experience storing, washing and packaging tablestock potatoes for resale. “We at NoKota Packers harvested the tonnage we expected to and filled our storage completely,” said Steve Tweten, chief executive officer.

Nelly Yunta, formerly vice president of U.S. imports, customs brokerage and consulting for Customized Brokers, the customs brokerage division of Crowley Maritime Corp., headquartered in Miami, has been promoted to the role of vice president of sales, marketing and customer care for Crowley’s liner and logistics business groups. Her new appointment became effective Jan. 1.

As the new year rolled into its first week, Florida strawberries were in great shape with abundant volume, excellent quality and — unlike last year — a solid market.

Oppy is ringing in the new year with the announcement of four sales promotions.

Garland Jaeger, Derek Lenko, Matthew Giddings and Leslie Germain have taken on new roles aimed at growing customer relationships and creating new business for the Vancouver-based full-service produce marketer and distributor, according to David Smith, senior vice president of sales and categories.