FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2007
www.stemilt.com
Contact: Roger Pepperl
Marketing Director
Stemilt appoints manager of sliced apple & foodservice sales
WENATCHEE, Wash. - Stemilt Growers Inc., one of the nation's largest apple, pear, and cherry shippers, announced the appointment of Tate Mathison to its newly created position of AppleSweets Sales Manager/Foodservice Team Leader.
Mathison, 28, grandson of Stemilt founder Tom Mathison and brother to Stemilt President West Mathison, previously worked at Dole Food Co., Westlake Village, Calif., for four years. There he worked in tropical fruit sales and also in the technical services department where he focused on quality control.
Mike Taylor, Stemilt vice president of sales and marketing, said Mathison's time at Dole provided him many experiences in foodservice and value-added fruit sales, both which will serve him well in his new position.
AppleSweets™ is Stemilt's new value-added apple product that is sliced, packaged, and in some cases naturally flavored with caramel and wild berry flavorings. The product underwent a limited retail rollout at the start of this year. Stemilt has since expanded distribution to many retail chains nationwide.
Future demand for AppleSweets™ is expected to grow in the foodservice arena, especially for use in school districts, restaurants, and corporate cafeterias. Taylor said foodservice will be one of the fastest-growing segments for Stemilt's fruit sales, both for slices and whole product.
"Tate's new position will coordinate actions between Stemilt marketing, sales and production for our sliced product," Taylor said. "He will also develop strategies and initiatives to grow the business and guide Stemilt on value-added products moving forward."
Mathison graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma in December 2002 with a degree in Business Administration.