Jim Allen, Matt Wells Join New York Apple Sales
April 3, 2017 
Matt Wells
New York Apple Sales (NYAS), Inc. recently announced Jim Allen and Matt Wells have joined the company. Allen, who served for 17 years as President and CEO of the New York Apple Association, becomes NYAS’ Vice President of Marketing. Wells, previously a procurement manager for Dr Pepper Snapple Group, team leader of Cornell’s Lake Ontario fruit team, and orchard supervisor for Maple Ridge Fruit Farm, will be Director of Field Services.
“Jim Allen’s extensive experience in all aspects of the produce industry will be a great plus for us,” says Kaari Stannard, President and Owner of NYAS. “Along with his tenure at the Apple Association, he was in produce sales for 16 years, so he knows this business inside and out. Matt Wells brings the ideal background to our business. He grew up in a family fruit business, worked at Cornell, has been out in the field, and understands the procurement and sales processes completely.”
Allen recently retired from his role at the state’s Apple Association. He received multiple awards during his presidency of the
organization, including Packer Apple Person of the Year, United Fresh Produce Advocate of the Year, U.S. Apple Association Apple Champion, and several others. Allen says he’s excited to be working with the experienced professionals at NYAS.
“This is a company focused on quality, innovation, and growth,” he notes. “Think of the way NYAS has teamed with suppliers in New Zealand and Nova Scotia to bring fresh and new apple varieties to the States as just one example. I’m thrilled to be able to help take this company even further.”
Allen will focus on retail promotion, public relations, managed varieties, and government relations, in addition to other marketing efforts in his new role at New York Apple Sales.
Along with his deep experience as an orchard supervisor and procurement manager, Wells most recently served as a Business Management Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension, helping to educate fruit growers on production economics. In his new role as Director of Field Services, he will focus on food safety and quality assurance.
“I’m excited to work for a company that is a leader in the industry and is growing,” says Wells. “I love to work ‘in the field’ and look forward to working with our grower partners.”
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