Robert Berber Jr., the late president of Mi Rancho, was inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association's Hall of Fame. He built Mi Rancho into a Bay Area tortilla brand noted for the superior quality and consistency of its food products, and the purity of its ingredients.

Conscious products branding agency BeyondBrands has added a slew of advisors and partners to its collective, including: Autumn Bree-Fata, Renée Loux, Céleste Lilore and April Karr.

Marc Bohan was re-elected as chairman of the board of directors for NattoPharma ASA for two more years. The board also grew from three to five members, with Stefan Hallden and Annette Emlqvist joining.

Gerry Nash, one of the original pioneers of raw pet food manufacturing in the United States, has passed away. Gerry was instrumental in developing the raw pet food category within the pet food industry. Throughout his career, he owned and operated raw pet food manufacturing facilities in Texas, Florida, Wyoming and Wisconsin. Nash’s final career stop landed him in Green Bay, where he founded Green Bay Pet Food Company in 1998. In 2009 he teamed up with Lanny Viegut, who joined him as a shareholder and CEO of the company. Later that year, Vital Essentials was launched and introduced to the market. Nash retired in 2011.

Patti Milligan is the new vice president of nutritional education for the Nature's Answer family of brands. Milligan, who is a registered dietitian and certified nutrition specialist, has been in the nutrition field for 33 years. Having worked in the clinical therapeutic nutrition, integrative medicine and natural foods fields, she has a unique blend of clinical, educational, holistic, consumer products, and media relations experience.

Botanic Innovations announced the appointment of Al Hogen as president and chief operating officer. In his role he is responsible for leading day-to-day operations, in addition to guiding and implementing strategic planning for continued scientific development, advancing operational excellence, and driving sales growth. Richard (Dick) Blackader has been promoted to CEO and now sits on the board of directors. Dick joined Botanic Innovations in 2010 as president and COO. 

Lora N. Spizzirri, a research and development executive with significant experience in the food and beverage industry, has joined 915 Labs as vice president for packaging solutions. In her role at the natural food processing and packaging company, Spizzirri will manage the Packaging Solutions Program from design to production, translating packaging visions, strategies and customer requests into projects and programs.

The American Herbal Products Association Executive Committee has appointed Wilson Lau as chair of the AHPA board of trustees until March 2017. Lau is the vice president of sales at nuherbs Company and has served on the AHPA board since 2008. He is also chair of AHPA's Tea and Infusion Products Committee.

Dan Cooke joins R&D LifeSciences as director of technical sales and research, bringing more than 10 years of experience in dairy nutrition, sales, marketing and management in the agriculture industry.

United Natural Foods, Inc. announced that Halie O’Shea has joined the company as director of investor relations and corporate strategy, effective immediately. She will be responsible for all aspects of investor relations and corporate strategy, working closely with the executive management team.

Greg Steltenpohl, cofounder and CEO of Califia Farms, was inducted into the 2016 Specialty Food Hall of Fame at the Summer Fancy Foods Show in New York City. Earlier this year, Steltenpohl was awarded a Specialty Foods’ 2016 Business Leadership Award for his social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and named a Top 50 Disruptor by Beverage World for giving the almond milk category a “jolt of innovation."

Longtime food attorney Bruce Silverglade joined EAS Consulting Group's network for 150 FDA regulatory consultants. He is a nationally recognized expert in the field of nutrition labeling and related regulations pertaining to health and nutrition. He is currently a principal at Olsson, Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC (OFW Law) and will serve as an expert consultant under contract to EAS by arrangement with the firm.