Our Team

Dan was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Graceland Fruit in August 2022 after assuming the interim CEO position in March. In his new leadership role, he is responsible for the vision, strategy, and direction of the company. Dan joined Graceland Fruit in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for all manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, research and development, and planning for the company.

Prior to his role at Graceland Fruit, Dan held executive positions in engineering, sales, operations, and supply chain for Mark IV Industries, Dayco Products, and Fluid Routing Solutions/Sun Capital. A native of Missouri, Dan moved to Michigan in 1987, first to Detroit with Dayco Products and then to the Frankfort area in 2018. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics from Missouri School of Science and Technology. He is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Institute of Supply Management, Original Equipment Manufacturing Association, and inductee into the University of Missouri Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He also serves on the school board for St. Joseph School in Lake Orion, MI.

When he’s not working, Dan enjoys woodworking, home renovation, golf, hiking, camping, travel, and spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their three adult children.

As Chief Financial Officer for the company, Joe leads the accounting, finance, reporting, treasury, FP&A, risk management, and information technology functions. 

Prior to joining Graceland Fruit, Joe served in executive leadership roles where he was instrumental in leading strategy, accounting/finance, customer support, and operations. Most recently he served as CFO for Atlas Space Operations and prior to that as Executive VP and CFO for Versus Technology. Joe’s early career included tenure at the public accounting firm BDO Seidman and over 10 years in various capacities at Steelcase. He earned a BS degree in finance from Michigan State University and an MBA in accounting and tax from DePaul University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Michigan Association of CPAs.

Outside of work, Joe maintains an active lifestyle through running, biking, and cross-country skiing. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife Mary and their two adult children, enjoying all the outdoor activities the area has to offer and watching the sunsets and freighters from their home overlooking the Manitou Passage.

Jon supports the Company’s corporate development activities, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and other strategic investments. He also serves on the Graceland Fruit Board of Directors and chairs the Finance Committee. Jon joined Graceland Fruit in 2018 and previously served as CFO for the Company.

Prior to joining Graceland Fruit, Jon founded Spherical Consulting, LLC and served as consultant and CFO for several mid-sized, privately held companies, including Tecumseh Products, Busche Performance Group, AxleTech International, Key Plastics, and JAC Products. He was also CFO at Jervis B. Webb Co. and Managing Director in the consulting practices at Deloitte and Conway MacKenzie. He started his career in the audit practice at Deloitte. Jon earned his BBA and MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP), licensed real estate broker, and member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Michigan Association of CPAs. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of Brother Rice High School and Crystal Downs Country Club, and as Treasurer for the Benzie Aquatic Center. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of Brother Rice and Jervis B. Webb Co.

A native of the Detroit area, Jon moved to northern Michigan in 2012. An avid University of Michigan football fan, he has been a season ticket holder for 43 years! He and his wife, Kathy, enjoy playing golf, being outdoors, and spending time with their two sons and two grandchildren.

Doug leads all facets of human resources and talent management for Graceland Fruit. His career at Graceland Fruit began in 2009 when he joined the company as Human Resources Manager. He was promoted to Director in 2014 and named Vice President of Human Resources in 2018.

Doug’s previous experience includes human resources, industrial relations, career advisement, and accounting roles with Michigan Works!, Eaton/Aeroquip, and National Mutual Funds Management. He is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a BA in Personnel Administration. Doug is a member of the Traverse Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA) and serves on the board of Networks Northwest and the Michigan Food Processor and Distribution Fund.

After career stops in Jackson, Michigan, and Melbourne, Australia, Doug is happy that the opportunities at Graceland Fruit allowed him to return to his hometown of Frankfort, Michigan. When he’s not working, Doug enjoys boating, being outdoors, working around the house, and spending time with his daughter Amelia.

As Vice President of Operations, Joe oversees all operational activities pertaining to production, quality, engineering, maintenance, and research & development. He started his career at Graceland Fruit in 2008 as an Engineering Project Manager, where he was responsible for managing all aspects of the design, development, and implementation of new infusion and drying technologies. In 2011, Joe was promoted to Engineering Manager. In 2017, he was again promoted to Director of Engineering, where he successfully managed all engineering staff and initiatives, including the oversight of key projects leading to capacity and operational improvements.

Prior to his roles at Graceland Fruit, Joe held positions at Johnson Controls Inc. as a Manufacturing Engineer, GM Powertrain as a Development/Validation Engineer, and Freudenberg-NOK as a Senior Engineer. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University and is also a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys hiking, mountain biking, boating, and appreciating all that northern Michigan has to offer with his wife and three boys. In addition to being an outdoor enthusiast, Joe is an active member of Sojourn Church in Traverse City.

Jason is responsible for sales and customer relations across the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Greater China, Japan, and Korea. He joined Graceland Fruit in 2013 as Sales and Marketing Manager for the western half of the US and all of Asia ex-China. He was promoted to Director in 2019 and to Senior Director in 2020.

Jason joined Graceland Fruit after 17 years with Tree Top, Inc., where he held a variety of roles in engineering, graphic design, marketing, and business development. A native and current resident of Yakima, WA, Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities with concentration in Interior Design and Architecture from Washington State University. He held a number of interesting odd jobs during summer breaks, including surveying and working in a pawn shop and an RV store.

When he’s not working, Jason enjoys creating artwork, cooking and entertaining, architecture and interior design, travel, and listening to educational and personal/professional-development audiobooks

John is responsible for bulk ingredient and private label sales in the eastern United States and international markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, India, Southeast Asia, Russia, and South Africa. He began his career at Graceland Fruit in 2014 as Sales Manager. In 2019 he was promoted to Regional Sales Manager and named Director of Sales in 2020.

Prior to Graceland Fruit, John held sales positions at Brick Packaging, Mercury Payment Systems, Brandwise, and Westword. He earned his BA in Broadcasting & Mass Communications at the State University of New York at Oswego. Originally from upstate New York, John’s career has taken him to Brooklyn, Denver, Traverse City, Chicago, and now Miami Beach, Florida.

When he is not working, John enjoys traveling, visiting museums, exploring new places, and spending time outside at parks and the beach. He recently rescued a dog he named Ella from the streets of Miami and is gratified to see the progress she has made since he began working with her.

Haley is responsible for sales in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She joined Graceland Fruit in 2015 as International Sales Coordinator for the US, Asia, and Latin American markets. Since then, Haley has been promoted to Account Manager, Regional Manager, and, in 2020, to Director of Sales.

Prior to joining Graceland Fruit, Haley held sales and project management positions at Foresight Research and Britten Studios. A native of Rochester, Michigan, she was a collegiate athlete at Oakland University, where she played Women’s Lacrosse for four years and served as captain for three years. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and Marketing from Oakland and served as Head Coach of the Stoney Creek High School Women’s Lacrosse team both during and after college.

When she is not working, Haley enjoys boating, fishing, and snowmobiling in the great outdoors of Northern Michigan. She also likes to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Kerry leads the customer service team and works across the organization to ensure the company delivers the highest level of timely, accurate, and friendly service, from order entry to delivery to invoice to payment. She joined Graceland Fruit in 2013 as International Sales Coordinator. Since then, she has been promoted to Senior Sales Coordinator, and in 2017, she was named Manager of Customer Sales & Service.

A native of Michigan, Kerry earned her Associates Degree from Northwood Institute and is a licensed real estate broker. She worked as a legal secretary and as a real estate closing broker for over 25 years prior to joining Graceland Fruit. She has previously served as secretary for the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is a member of the American Legion.

A foodie at heart, Kerry loves to cook when she and her husband, George, are not scooting around town on their scooters visiting friends and family.

Drew leads product and process innovation for the Company. His goal is to ensure customers are always able to delight their consumers with great tasting, on-trend products enhanced by the latest and greatest exceptional ingredients from Graceland Fruit. He joined Graceland Fruit in 2016 as Process Engineer. In 2019, he was promoted to Manager of Research & Development.

A native of Alpena, Michigan, Drew graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He worked for Michelin in Process/Quality Engineering roles in South Carolina and Indiana before returning to Michigan to join Graceland Fruit. He is a member of Traverse City Young Professionals and West Side Community Church.

Outside of work, Drew enjoys staying active and being outdoors: running, mountain biking, hiking, snow skiing, camping, and fishing. He also loves to cook, discover new restaurants and breweries, and play the piano.

Doug is responsible for the procurement of raw fruit and oversees the Graceland Fruit Cherry Cooperative and harvest. He joined Graceland Fruit in 2016 as a Production Associate; later that year he joined the Supply Chain team as a Coordinator. Since then, he has been promoted to Supply Chain Supervisor and, most recently, to Commodity Manager.

A native of Onsted, Michigan, Doug earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Michigan Technological University and his Emergency Medical Technician certification from Jackson Community College. He worked in donor service positions at both Eversight and Gift of Life Michigan prior to joining Graceland Fruit. An avid fisherman, Doug moved to Frankfort for the steelhead fishing and ended up finding a great company to work for and grow with.

When he is not working Doug enjoys spending time with his fiancé and two children in the great outdoors, fishing on Lake Michigan, participating in the annual Salmon tournament, hunting, and snowmobiling.

As the Grower Relations Agent, Eric is stationed in Wisconsin (the heart of cranberry country!) allowing him to work hand in hand with our exceptional grower partners on a daily basis. He oversees new and current Graceland Fruit cranberry growers, crop report forecasting, and the delivery of harvested fruit. Eric has been with the company since 2008 working as an Electrician, Maintenance Supervisor, and Plant Manager, before being promoted into his current role. Eric has tremendous experience in many aspects of the company and its operations and has a deep understanding of Graceland Fruit’s mission.

Prior to his roles at Graceland Fruit, Eric held a position at Burtis Forrest Products in Houghton Lake, Michigan, and later served in the United States Navy as an Electronics Technician for 20 years. Eric earned an Associate of Science degree from Mohegan Community College.

Outside of the office, Eric enjoys the outdoors, especially skiing. He is a member of the Professional Ski Instructor Association where he holds a Level 3 status. Additionally, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.