Christian Wiegele has been appointed Division President of Dole Asia Fresh and Director, Executive Vice President of Dole Asia Holdings.、

He succeeds Richard Toman, who is retiring in January 2021 after 39 years with Dole. Toman stepped down from his role on September 5 but will continue as an advisor to Dole and Asia Fresh leadership until January.

CEO and President Yutaka Yamamura said Wiegele, who joined Dole in 2015 after 18 years with the Coca-Cola Company, has been a strong and constant business partner, leading the entire finance team after his promotion to Senior Vice President and CFO in 2019.

"He has successfully led and supported many strategic initiatives and has proven to be a capable leader and strategic thinker.  His appointment shows the depth of talent that we are growing in Dole.  He is an excellent successor to Richard."

Wiegele said that in his five years with Dole he had formed great respect for the "formidable organisation that grows, harvests and delivers the goodness of the earth to consumers across the world."

"In the unprecedented times we are facing, I passionately believe consumers are looking to companies like ours to show new levels of care, leadership and example, given the impacts of the pandemic."

"Doles deeply rooted values is evident in our Dole Promise and our commitment to accessible nutrition, environmental responsibility and the creation of value for all our stakeholders. We have a strongly held sense of purpose and I am energised by the responsibility entrusted to me and our ability to be a force for good."

Wiegele added consumer expectations were rapidly evolving and it was clear that transparency, sustainability, provenance, corporate ethics and caring for farmers and for the land were Increasingly non-negotiable.

"Our Promise and purpose of making this a more equitable world with Sunshine for All is in place and fully poised to answer evolving consumer beliefs and needs building on the strong history of our company."

about Dole Asia Fresh

Dole Asia Fresh Division, is a subsidiary of Dole Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., one of Asias largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables and a worldwide leader and innovator in the production and marketing of high-quality packaged fruit and healthy snacks.