Source: Samoa News
The former CEO and president of the U.S. based StarKist Company, owner of StarKist Samoa tuna cannery in Pago Pago, has been hired by an American food company.
Donald Binotto served as StarKist boss for several years before he was let go late last year. StarKist / Dongwon never explained the reason for such action, which was taken by the company’s board of directors.
During his tenure at StarKist, Binotto defended the company’s action of laying off some 200 workers from the StarKist plant in Pago Pago.
Binotto was this week hired by Florida based Contessa Premium Foods Inc., as its CEO and president.
“I look forward to working with the management team to uphold that tradition and improve the Company by refocusing the brand and store brand offerings and growing the Company both organically and through accretive add-on acquisitions,†said Binotto in a news release.
Contessa is a leading U.S. processor and distributor of premium seafood and frozen bagged convenience meals, according to the company’s website.
Jared Wien, Vice President at Sun Capital Partners - owner of Contessa Food, says that the company is extremely excited to partner with Binotto, a seasoned executive who brings two decades of industry experience and a strong understanding of the retail and wholesale food business - particularly the seafood niche.