VANCOUVER, B.C.— Dawn Gray, who has served as general manager for pipfruit marketer ENZA, of Auckland, New Zealand since early 2007, will join The Oppenheimer Group as senior vice president of sales, marketing, and categories next spring.

Her tenure with the international produce marketer begins officially on April 1, 2009.

Gray will take on many of the responsibilities of Oppenheimer Senior Vice President Bob Dunlop, who retires at the end of 2008, following 24 years in leadership positions with the organization.

“This long transition is a bit unconventional, but it actually makes a great deal of sense,” said John Anderson, Oppenheimer’s chairman, president and CEO. “It enables Dawn to continue in a leadership capacity at ENZA while a new general manager is found. She will spend time with us in Vancouver in the interim, so she can work closely with Bob before his retirement, creating a transition that is as seamless as possible for both organizations.”

When she arrives at Oppenheimer, Gray will continue to work closely with ENZA. Oppenheimer has been ENZA’s North American marketing partner since 1956. ENZA’s parent company, Turners and Growers, is a fifteen percent shareholder in The Oppenheimer Group’s U.S. entities.

Jeff Wesley, managing director of Turners and Growers, said, "There are benefits in someone with an intimate knowledge of ENZA and the New Zealand apple industry at the top of the Oppenheimer business. As ENZA grows, I can see this strengthening the partnership between the two organizations and ENZA’s presence in North America.

“Gray brings a depth of relevant expertise into her role at Oppenheimer,” Anderson said. She has over thirty years of experience in the fresh fruit and vegetable business. 

Prior to joining ENZA, Gray held various leadership positions, including executive vice president, sales and marketing, at BC Hot House Foods, Inc., Surrey, B.C. from 2003 to 2007. She served as the president of the Central California Orange Growers Cooperative, Visalia, Calif., from 2001 to 2003. Her diverse background also includes sales and marketing positions at Vanguard International, Seattle, Wash.; The Autenrieth Company, Los Angeles, Calif.; Frieda’s, Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., and Sunkist Growers Inc., Sherman Oaks, Calif.

“Dawn has an outstanding reputation in our industry, and she’s known for her grasp of the complex landscape of our business from the grower, retailer, wholesaler, and foodservice perspectives,” Anderson said. “She will be a terrific asset to our senior management team. We are very pleased that she’s joining us.”

#  #  #