November 4/Food & Farm Week -- John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. appointed Dr. Nathan Rucker as the director of corporate continuous improvement, a newly created position within the company.

In this new role, Rucker will lead the development and roll out of continuous improvement strategies to increase operating efficiencies, streamline business processes and enhance value to customers.

"As JBSS continues to expand its product line and grow the business, it's critically important that we focus on efficient production and business management strategies," said Jasper Sanfilippo Jr., JBSS president and chief operating officer. "Nathan is a perfect fit. We know his experience in the shelled and in-shell nut business, as well as his thorough understanding of our customer base, will help drive our continuous improvement efforts throughout our supply chain."

Rucker comes to JBSS from Young Pecan Co. where he was the vice president of operations responsible for pecan shelling operations in Las Cruces, N.M. Prior to Young Pecan, Rucker was a vice president in one of the consulting practices at Marsh and McLennan Companies; there, he worked with multiple food distribution and consumer packaged goods operations helping to establish and enhance continuous improvement efforts and operational risk management practices.

Rucker earned a BS, MS, and PhD in engineering from Texas A&M University.

"Clearly, the common thread in Nathan's broad experience has been in helping companies improve themselves," Sanfilippo said. "We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his contributions to our continued growth. Our newly consolidated headquarters and manufacturing facility will keep him very busy."

From the November 9, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition