Dawn Gray joined our company as senior vice president of sales, marketing and categories in January of 2009. Dawn’s rich industry experience and passion for the business provides her with solid strategic insight and leadership abilities as part of our executive team. Dawn’s specific responsibilities include directing integrated sales and marketing campaigns for all our product categories, and she also serves the lifeblood of our business in a vital grower relations capacity.

Prior to joining Oppenheimer, Dawn was the general manager for our apple and pear category partner ENZA, of Auckland, New Zealand. She has spent more than 30 years in leadership positions throughout our industry, and served as executive vice president, sales and marketing, at BC Hot House Foods, Inc., Surrey, B.C. from 2003 to 2007. She was the president of the Central California Orange Growers Cooperative, Visalia, Calif., from 2001 to 2003, and her diverse background 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.

“This business is not really a career but a disease,” Dawn said. “Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked … It’s the people; it’s the products; it’s the action demanded by perishable products. It’s wonderful.”