RIVERSIDE, CA – Index Fresh, the grower-owned avocado packing, marketing, and shipping company is proud to announce the addition of Bobby Fingerlin, Evangelina Kaudze, and Mark Buhl to its staff. The new hires, responsible for sales, safety and compliance, and business development respectively, have been brought in to spearhead the company’s growth in the avocado industry.

Bobby Fingerlin, a California native with a strong sales background, is the latest addition to the sales team. Coming to Index Fresh after years of working in sales, Bobby said that he was excited align himself with a commodity that is taking the world by storm. 

Building relationships comes naturally to Fingerlin, cited the company. For him, the most challenging, interpersonal aspects of sales can also be the most rewarding. “Starting a new relationship can be tough. And building that relationship takes a lot of work and a lot of time,” said Fingerlin in a written statement. “But for me, it’s exciting and rewarding.” 

“At Index Fresh, we believe in providing value to our clients,” said John Dmytriw, Director of Sales and Marketing. “And we believe Bobby’s value lies in his ability to be transparent with our clients. I have no doubt that Bobby will be one of our industry’s finest leaders in years to come.”

Evangelina Kaudze is now a part of the team as Food Safety and Compliance Manager. In her new role, Kaudze is responsible for developing and updating policies and procedures for food safety, and guaranteeing Index Fresh’s social responsibility standards in their business partnerships.

Director of Production, Luis Avila is excited to have Kaudze on board. “Her 10 years of food safety experience will be a huge asset to Index Fresh, our growers and packers,” said Avila. “She has helped growers achieve food safety certifications as well as improve the food safety standards in the packing houses she has worked in.”

Kaudze is equally excited to join the team. “The commitment to food safety that Index Fresh has demonstrated is astounding,” she said. Seeing Index Fresh’s already-high standards as an excellent foundation, Kaudze looks forward to raising the company’s profile as a leader in food safety. “I want Index Fresh to be as well known for doing as much for food safety in the industry as we are known for what we do for growers.”

Joseph “Mark” Buhl enters the fold as the new Director of Sales and International Business Development. Buhl began his career with an international trading company whose main focus was exports to Europe and the UK. After several years, Buhl established an export and consulting company. There, he focused on consulting for international food chains, packaging companies, logistic organizations, and global retailers to find and implement efficiencies in their supply chains.

After crossing paths with Index Fresh President & CEO, Dana Thomas, and VP of Sales & Marketing Todd Elder, professionally several years ago on a project for Sam’s Club, Buhl grew increasingly interested in the company. “I was always very impressed by the Index Fresh team, and the direction they were going,” said Buhl. “When I stumbled across an opening for director of export, I contacted them immediately.”

In his new role at Index Fresh, Buhl faces some unique challenges, including raising awareness globally about avocados. “There are lots of people all over the world who know nothing about avocados, their health benefits, or even that they exist,” said Buhl, citing a recent interest in selling avocados to China.

Buhl relishes the challenge, viewing every market around the world that is currently unfamiliar with avocados as just a new sales opportunity. The way Buhl sees it, the world is chock full of potential new avocado lovers.

From AndNowUKnow, congratulations to all the newest members of Index Fresh on their positions, and keep clicking back for more hiring announcements and industry shakeups.

Index Fresh