Calavo announces CEO succession plans
Santa Paula-based Calavo Growers announced that Lee Cole will retire as president and CEO on Dec. 8, and has appointed John Lindeman, a member of Calavo’s Board of Directors and former Calavo CFO, to succeed him.
This was Cole’s second stint as CEO, as his first go-round was from 1999 until 2020, and he also served as a director of Calavo for 39 years, spending 28 years as chairman of the board. Cole returned to Calavo as CEO in 2023.
“It has been a privilege to lead Calavo and work alongside such dedicated employees, growers, and partners. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident that John’s experience and strong leadership will position the company for continued success,” Cole said.
Lindeman most recently was CEO of Hydrofarm Holdings Group, a publicly-traded manufacturer and distributor of branded hydroponics equipment and supplies for controlled environment agriculture. Linedeman was CFO and corporate security of Calavo from 2015 to 2020.
“I’m honored to return to Calavo and excited to lead this talented team,” said Mr. Lindeman. “With the dedication and expertise that define Calavo’s culture, we are well-positioned to deepen partnerships, drive growth, and create sustainable value for our shareholders.”
