Kraft Foods — Linda Hefner has joined the Northfield, Ill.-based company as executive vice president of global strategy and business development. Hefner is responsible for corporate strategy and merger and acquisition activities for Kraft around the world. Sargento Foods Inc. — Bryan Birling has been promoted to account sales manager of alternate channels for the Plymouth, Wis.-based processor’s consumer products division, and Marty Rowe has joined the company as Wal-Mart team leader. Birling will be responsible for all sales plans and strategies and Rowe will build upon the Sargento-Wal-Mart relationship and help realize both organizations’ sales goals.

Sartori Foods — Joining the Plymouth, Wis.-based cheesemaker are Bruce Waddell as vice president of marketing and sales and Mike Walz as vice president of operations and operational services. Thiel Cheese & Ingredients LLC — Mark Donlon has been promoted to vice president of marketing and sales and Michael Ritchie has been promoted to senior national accounts director of the Hilbert, Wis.-based company.

Alcoa Closure Systems International — Jose Garibay has joined the Indianapolis-based company as director of sales for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Garibay will be based in Saltillo, Mexico. Dixon Valve & Coupling Co. — The Chestertown, Md.-based hose fittings supplier has promoted two in sales management and marketing. Joseph Dawson advances to vice president, marketing and business development from sales manager; Scott Jones advances to national sales manager from Northeast regional manager.

Fristam Pumps Inc. — David Kirk has joined the Middleton, Wis.-based company as product manager for the new shear blender and powder mixer lines, and Doug Sevedge has joined as materials manager. NuTemp Inc. — Tony Ward has been promoted to president of the Chicago-based company.

Chr. Hansen Inc. — Tim Harried has been promoted to product manager of cheese ingredients for the Milwaukee-based company’s dairy business. Jim Funk has been promoted to director of sales of sweeteners for the company’s food and beverage business area. Q Laboratories Inc. — Susan Bogar has been appointed microbiology group leader for the Cincinnati-based company.

Schokinag Chocolate North America Inc. — Karen White has been appointed vice president of sales, chocolate and cocoa ingredients for the Bakersfield, Calif.-based, company, a subsidiary of Schokinag Schokoladen Industrie in Germany.

Organic Trade Association (OTA) — The Greenfield, Mass.-based business association has announced its 2004-05 officers: Phil Margolis of Neshaminy Valley Natural Foods Distributor has been re-elected president; Nancy Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm has been appointed vice president representing the United States; Debra Boyle of Pro Organics Marketing has been appointed vice president representing Canada; Chuck Marcy of Horizon Organic has been appointed treasurer; Dave DeCou of One Step Forward Farm has been appointed secretary; and Lynn Clarkson of Clarkson Grain Co. has been appointed at-large member on OTA’s executive committee.

In recent member balloting, Mary Mulry of Wild Oats was elected for her first term on the OTA board. Re-elected were Theresa Marquez of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative and Marty Mesh of Florida Certified Organic Growers Consumers/Quality Certification Services. In addition, Julia Sabin of Smucker Quality Beverages has been selected to fill an appointed board seat. A Canadian seat on the board has yet to be filled. Continuing members on the board are Luis Acuña of CF Fresh, Andy Grant of Grant Family Farms, Brian Leahy of California Certified Organic Farmers and Jesse Singerman of Prairie Ventures LLC. Leaving the board are LaRhea Pepper of Organic Essentials, John Stalker of Weetabix Canada and Margaret Wittenberg of Whole Foods Market.