BENSENVILLE, Ill., January 16, 2023—(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fortune International, LLC (“Fortune” or the “Company”), the nation’s leading processor, distributor and importer of quality seafood, meat and gourmet products, today announced the appointment of four executive directors to the leadership team, to drive and support organic growth, employee engagement, production and customer experience.
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Padraic Doherty, Chief Revenue Officer (Photo: Business Wire)
Following a year of record growth, including the completion of three acquisitions, the company has today appointed Padraic Doherty as Chief Revenue Officer; Brian Gartrell as Chief Human Resources Officer; Wally Lezniak as Senior Vice President of Production; and Danielle Charette as senior vice president of customer experience. Executives have nearly 100 years of combined industry and related professional experience.
Commenting on the appointments, Chairman and CEO Sean O’Scannlain said: “We are excited to announce and appoint Padraic, Brian, Wally and Danielle to their new positions, which will enable us to accelerate organic growth and customer acquisition as well as continue our industry leader in employee development, advancement and opportunities Over the past three years, Fortune has more than tripled in size, serving thousands of new customers and merchants in an ever-increasing range of needs and markets, with many new hires eager to grow their careers at Fortune.Dear We are proud to have been able to attract and promote such a high-caliber group of professionals.”
In 2022, Fortune separately named Ian Navarro as its first chief marketing officer, and the company recently promoted several other executives to key finance positions. Fortune’s four new appointments include:
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Padraic Doherty, as Chief Revenue Officer, joined Fortune following the Company’s acquisition of D’Artagnan last year. With nearly 20 years of industry sales experience, Mr. Doherty previously led sales for D’Artagnan, overseeing and directing the brand’s national expansion and working with many top retail and restaurant partners across the country. As Fortune’s CRO, a newly created role, he will lead and support the continued national expansion of Fortune’s Fish & Gourmet distribution business.
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With 20 years of HR experience in the supply chain, distribution and transportation industries, Brian Gartrell recently joined the company as the company’s first Chief Human Resources Officer, a newly created role. He will lead and develop Fortune’s HR team, overseeing HR strategy along with all aspects of the employee experience including talent acquisition, talent management and development initiatives. Previously, Mr. Gartrell was Vice President of Human Resources at Martin Brower, providing HR leadership to 6,500 employees in 27 distribution centers. Prior to that, he worked for Walgreens Co. in Croatia supporting more than 10,000 supply chain team members.
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Promoted to senior vice president of production, Wally Lezniak is one of Fortune Fish & Gourmet’s top five members. Mr. Lezniak immigrated from Poland to the United States when he was 6 years old and spent his entire career in the seafood industry cutting fish, driving trucks and working in the warehouse at the Chicago Fish House. His 45-year career in seafood and manufacturing will help bring all of Fortune’s warehouses together with cohesive processes, systems and manufacturing standards.
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With nearly 30 years of experience in the seafood and food industry, Danielle Charette is also part of the original founding team of Fortune Fish & Gourmet, which began with the company in 2001. As the company’s head of customer experience, a newly created position, she will serve Fortune in creating a more universal and best-in-class customer experience, working with all regions and teams to scale customer support platforms. Prior to Fortune, Ms. Charette began her career at the Plitt Company, where she became a top salesperson in the 1990s.
Fortune International, LLC
Fortune International, LLC, is the parent operating company of Fortune Fish & Gourmet, a full-service processor and distributor providing the finest quality fresh, live and frozen seafood and gourmet foods to white-tablecloth restaurants, private clubs, elegant hotels and gourmet retailers. The company processes more than 20,000 seafood and gourmet products daily, selected to exceed the high standards embraced by its quality-oriented customer base. Fortune currently serves more than 15,000 customers across the United States with a fleet of refrigerated vehicles, and nationally via FedEx and common carriers. For more information, visit www.fortunefishco.net.
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Contacts
For Fortune International, LLC
Doug Donsky or Michael Milazzo (ICR, Inc.)
Q: (646) 277-1200
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]