DFA of California and Safe Food Alliance are pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan O’Donnell as their new President and CEO, effective August 1st, 2024. Brendan brings over two decades of extensive leadership experience in the food and agriculture industry, marked by his commitment to innovation, food safety, and sustainable practices.
Prior to joining DFA and Safe Food Alliance, Brendan served as Global Segment Director, Nuts & Citrus at TOMRA Food, where he led global teams and spearheaded customer-focused product development initiatives. His tenure at TOMRA showcased his strategic acumen and ability to drive growth through effective leadership and market insights.
“Looking ahead, we are very pleased with the appointment of Brendan O’Donnell to succeed Vaughn as President & CEO. Brendan has demonstrated extraordinary communication and leadership skills in his roles at TOMRA and Monte Vista Farming Company. These skills, along with his technical background, make him an excellent fit to lead the DFA/Safe Food Alliance organization,” said Brian Dunning, President & CEO of ShoEi Foods USA and current Chair of the DFA Board. “His vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting the dried fruit, tree nut, and specialty crop industries, and I am confident in his ability to enhance our member services and strengthen our industry partnerships.”
Throughout his career, Brendan has held pivotal roles at Monte Vista Farming Company and Sun Valley Rice, where he contributed significantly to business growth and market expansion. He holds an Executive Certificate in Negotiation from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and a B.S. in Agricultural Systems and Environment from the University of California, Davis.
“I am honored to join DFA and Safe Food Alliance at such an exciting time in our industry,” said Brendan O’Donnell. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to drive innovation, strengthen food safety standards, and support our members and partners as we navigate new opportunities and challenges ahead.”
In addition to his professional achievements, Brendan is dedicated to his family and enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife, Erin, and their two teenage children.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Hillari Bynum
Director of Marketing
(916) 545-4497
communications@safefoodalliance.com
About DFA of California
Founded in 1908, DFA of California is a non-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the dried fruit, tree nut, and specialty crop industries. DFA supports processors through rigorous inspection services, member benefits, food safety training, and provides support on numerous export related matters. For more information, visit DFA of California.
About Safe Food Alliance
Safe Food Alliance provides a comprehensive range of food safety services designed specifically for food processors and manufacturers throughout California. As a full service food safety company, Safe Food Alliance provides third-party laboratory testing, complemented by extensive food safety training, consulting services, and third-party certification audits offered through a separate company, Safe Food Certifications.
