Fresh Del Monte Produce appoints president, COO

Fresh Del Monte Produce has appointed Youssef Zakharia to succeed Hani El-Naffy as the company’s president and chief operating officer, effective Nov. 3, upon the completion of the previously announced transition of the active employment of El-Naffy to his position as a consultant for the company which will last until Feb. 28, 2017.

Also as previously announced, El-Naffy will remain a member of the company’s board of directors. As president and chief operating officer, Zakharia will have responsibility for all of the company’s operating units worldwide and will report directly to Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Zakharia has held positions in the company’s management for more than 16 years, most recently as executive vice president and as the company’s vice president, Europe and Africa. Previously, Zakharia also served as vice president for the company’s Middle East and North Africa region; vice president, human resources for the company’s Europe, Africa and Middle East region; and director of operations for the company’s Europe, Africa and Middle East region. Before joining the company, he served as the director of sales, Europe, Africa and Middle East for A.W. Chesterton and as director of operations for Nevada Power Company.