Sara Oliver Retires After 30 Years at Grimmway Farms
With over three decades of service, Sara Oliver, Chief People Officer, has officially retired from Grimmway Farms. This closes a chapter for the company that has always been great in human resources and corporate social responsibility but has transitioned recently with her retirement. Oliver’s leadership significantly transformed the company, making it an industry leader.
Grimmway has announced the retirement of Sara Oliver, CPO of the company. Known as ‘flowers and many wishes’ retirement in today’s world, her retirement symbolizes the loss of a guiding light for many. Over the years blossomed as her new era transformed the company’s stance on employee relations and career development.
Oliver’s full commitment was recognized and appreciated by Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO of Grimmway Farms, who said, “With Sara’s focus on respect, fairness, and safety, business culture was already established. Her emphasis has been useful to the growth of the Company and its culture.”
New Approaches Towards People Management
Peter Vitarisi is the new Chief People Officer and a prominent leader in the food and beverage sector with over 20 years of experience. Vitarisi started with Grimmway early this year and has met with Oliver as part of a comprehensive handover process. He is confirmed to take over as CPO on October 1, 2024, while Oliver will move into an advisory role before retiring in January 2025.
He has served in strong HR leadership roles at Basic American Foods, E. & J. Gallo Winery, and J.M. Smucker Company. At Grimmway Farms he will specialize in employee engagement, one of his competencies and personally important for the Company.
“Over these past months, I have observed how deeply Grimmway cares about its people, and I look forward to further building on Sara’s legacy,” Vitarisi said. “It is our people who make this company exceptional, and I will do everything possible to ensure that we attract and keep the best.”
A Lasting Legacy
In her retrospective of her decades at Grimmway Farms, Oliver reminisced, “It’s been a great privilege working alongside such a fantastic team. While it is bittersweet to step away, I am appreciative that I have the ability to stay involved in the advisory capacity for the next few months.”
Provision of HR policies and programs is not the only area in which Oliver has made an impact at Grimmway Farms. She has been a true catalyst of the company’s strategic growth and acquisitions and has greatly contributed to expanding its horizons. Under her leadership, Grimmway has also enhanced its corporate philanthropy and community relations activities, showing a greater commitment to social responsibility.
Even as Grimmway Farms continues to blossom, Oliver’s influence will still be felt throughout the company’s culture and values. She will always be recognized for having led the company in prioritizing its people.
For Grimmway Farms, this shift in leadership marks a new chapter in their transformational approach to growth. Under Vitarisi’s direction in human resources, the company is poised to perpetuate its history of building human capital and enhancing employee relations.
Grimmway Farms is recognized as a world leader in organic produce and sustainability. As the company looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its commitment to its most important asset: its people.
