J&K Fresh adds two to leadership

J&K FRESH (JKF) BB #:172729 is excited to announce new additions to our management teams on both coasts.

For the West Coast, JKF is pleased to welcome Gabriel (Gabe) Padilla as Director of Operations. Gabe brings 23 years of experience to JKF. After graduating from Iowa State with a degree in Agronomy and International Agriculture, Gabe joined the USDA and was transferred to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

At CBP, Gabe held the position of Chief Agriculture Specialist for the Los Angeles and Long Beach Seaports. From there, Gabe went to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) as an Area Representative/Investigator. His extensive experience in the international agriculture arena brings a wealth of knowledge to JKF.

CEO Raymond Keffer and COO Robert Lee-Hoy are excited to have Gabe join the West Coast Management Team and know that his expertise will continue to elevate the day-to-day operations and support JKF’s mission, “For a Fresh Clearance”.

J&K FRESH EAST div. of 721 Logistics is happy to announce the addition of Ed Fitzgerald to its team as its Vice President of Compliance and Trade Services. Ed brings more than 30 years of experience in customs brokerage, trade compliance, and business development. He earned his U.S. Customs Broker License in 1996 and is a Certified Customs Specialist.

Ed’s background includes extensive experience in brokerage operations and compliance, with a specialization in fresh produce, food and beverage, forest products, and base metals. A long-standing member of the trade community, he previously served as President of the World Trade Association of Philadelphia and Treasurer of Ship Philly First. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Chilean Chamber of Commerce, the Maritime Exchange of the Delaware River & Bay, and the American Metals Supply Chain Institute, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Salle University and a supply chain certification from Penn State University.

“We are excited to welcome Ed to the team and look forward to the experience and leadership he brings as we continue to grow,” stated John Ercolani, President. “The role of the customs broker is even more critical in our current trade environment, and Ed’s addition will provide our clients with another valuable resource to help navigate through it.”

The JKF brand has seen exponential growth over the past seven years, and the future is brighter than ever with Ed and Gabe’s expertise helping to take the brand to the next level. With cutting-edge technology designed specifically for the perishable industry, combined with a strong operational foundation, we’re excited to see what the future brings JKF and its customers.