Calavo adds hydroponics leader to its board

Calavo Growers has appointed a hydroponics industry leader to its board of directors and audit committee. John Lindeman served as Calavo chief financial officer from 2015-2020.

Lindeman has been executive vice president and CFO of Hydrofarm Holdings Group, a manufacturer and distributor of branded hydroponics equipment and supplies for controlled environment agriculture, since March 2020.

California-headquartered Calavo is a global producer of high-quality produce, including avocados, tomatoes and papayas, and a supplier of healthy fresh-cut fruit, vegetables and prepared foods.

“We are excited to welcome John to our board of directors,” Steven Hollister, Calavo Growers board chair, said in a news release. “John has extensive experience in corporate finance, strategy and leadership and has deep knowledge of Calavo and the avocado industry, having served as Calavo’s chief financial officer for several years. We welcome John back to the organization and look forward to his insight and contributions.”

Prior to joining Calavo, Lindeman held leadership positions within the finance and investment banking industries, including managing director at Sageworth Trust Co., a family office and private trust company, and managing director and co-head of the consumer and retail group at Janney Montgomery Scott.

With Lindeman’s appointment as independent director, Calavo’s board consists of nine directors, eight of them independent.