David Kiehn, The Campbell's Soup Company, Elected as CLFP 2026-2027 Chair

Thursday, May 7, 2026

David Kiehn of The Campbell’s Company has been elected as the 2026-2027 Chair of the California League of Food Producers (CLFP) at its Annual Board of Directors Meeting on May 7, 2026. Kiehn, who previously served as 1^st Vice Chair, succeeds Mona Shulman of Pacific Coast Producers, who led the organization during the 2025–2026 term.

Kiehn serves as Director of Agriculture Operations at The Campbell’s Company, where he oversees agricultural operations and supports manufacturing initiatives critical to the company’s food production network. Throughout his career with Campbell’s, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including General Manager, Agriculture & Strategic Manufacturing; Plant Manager; Manager, Plant Operations & TPM; Senior Agriculture–V7 Vegetables, Transportation & Logistics Representative; and Field Packaging Representative–Manager Technical Programs. His experience spans agricultural production, manufacturing leadership, logistics, and operational excellence.

Also elected to CLFP leadership for the 2026–2027 term were Frank Mecozzi of Del Mar Foods Corp. as 1^st Vice Chair and John Pieretti of Musco Family Olive Co. as 2^nd Vice Chair.

The following members were nominated to serve terms through 2028: Matt Lathrop (Kerry Group), Nick Kastle (J.G. Boswell Company), Jeremy Ladle (Sun-Maid Growers of California), Chris Lehikainen (Stanislaus Food Products), Aret Meyer (Sensient Natural Ingredients), and Julie Connel (Hilmar).

They join continuing Executive Committee members with terms through 2027: Dana Johnson (OFI), Dan Green (Los Gatos Tomato Products), Jeremy LaMendola (ConAgra Brands, Inc.), Claudia Santiago (J.M. Smucker), and Chris Rufer (The Morning Star Packing Company).

CLFP extends its sincere appreciation to its outgoing and continuing officers and Executive Committee members for their dedication, leadership, and service to the organization. We are pleased to welcome our newly elected officers and committee members and look forward to working together in the year ahead to advance the interests of California’s food processing industry and support its continued growth, innovation, and success!