Drew Callaghan, 35

Over the past 13 years, Callaghan’s career trajectory has been marked by consistent advancement into senior leadership roles that require strategic insight, operational excellence and maturity. He has a proven track record of driving growth, building high-performance teams and leading strategic transformation across the produce and consumer packaged goods industries. He began his produce career in 2012 as a broker for Acosta Sales & Marketing, representing various produce lines.

In 2017, he joined Apio, and subsequently led the corporate divestiture of the “Eat Smart” brand of value-added products to Taylor Farms in December 2021 and the sale of fresh guacamole and dips portfolio of branded products under the Yucatan and Cabo Fresh brand names to Flagship Food Group.

In 2022, he joined RPE as vice president of business development and has played a role in designing and executing a strategic growth plan that enhanced the company’s national retail presence, strengthened key customer partnerships, and elevated RPE’s standing within the produce category. At RPE, he helped lead a new era of sales growth, driving a 25% increase in revenue. He also led the creation of an international joint venture, RPE Canada, expanding RPE’s reach beyond the U.S. borders, where he currently serves as a named member of the board.

In 2024, he was named to his current position as executive vice president at RPE, where he leads a $600 million business unit and oversees integration efforts within a PE-backed portfolio (Grimmway Farms, RPE, San Miguel, Tasteful Selections, Cal-Organic). His leadership experience spans sales, finance, marketing and operations and building cross-functional alignment to deliver sustained revenue and EBITDA growth. He is a graduate of Acosta Sales & Marketing Leadership Development Program, SEPC Next Generation Leadership Academy and IFPA’s Executive Leadership Development Program.

Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?

I began my produce career as a broker for Acosta Sales & Marketing, representing product lines at retailers. I started my work in Virginia Beach, stocking shelves on military bases in the Commissary and Exchange stores. This drove a deep sense of service, while instilling a desire to bring high-quality products to shelf.

Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?

Get comfortable with unpredictability and never forget that relationships matter. Our industry is constantly changing. You need to be comfortable in that environment — get excited by change. Relationships will make or break you in this industry. No matter how much technology we have, you cannot forget what it’s like to look someone in the eye, shake their hand and deliver on a commitment.

Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?

Fact-based selling has become more important in produce. This has traditionally been something that CPG and center store have relied on, but as space has become constrained in the perimeter and shelf space productivity more closely monitored, the ability to leverage data to drive sales while putting the right items on shelf has become more important. Relationships remain critical, and the knowledge of veterans is not something that can be replaced, but balancing data with “feel” seems to be the future recipe for success.