November 26/Plymouth, Wis./Press Release -- Sargento Foods Inc. announced the hiring of Bob Strickland as national customer business manager for Costco, the promotion of Vince Juneau to customer research manager for the Walmart and Sam’s Club team and the hiring of Laura Meyer as customer research manager in the company’s Consumer Products Division.

Strickland will be responsible for managing sales responsibilities for the 10 divisions of Costco within the Consumer Products Division, reporting to Marty Rowe, senior sales director—Walmart. He will work from his home office in Seattle.

“Bob’s management background and experience will greatly contribute to national account sales,” said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer at Sargento. “We’re confident Bob will exceed our expectations in his new position and know he will be a valuable addition to the Costco team.”

Prior to joining Sargento, Strickland held the position of national key account manager for Reckitt Benckiser Inc. in Parsippany, N.J. In this role, he was responsible for the Costco and Target accounts. Prior to Reckitt, Strickland worked with Procter & Gamble in a variety of roles.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in community health education with a minor in public relations from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.

As customer research manager, Juneau will analyze sales data and shopper marketing information to enhance decision making.

“Many of Vince’s analytics have become ‘Best Practices’ for the Consumer Products Division,” said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer at Sargento. “Vince knows the grocery industry inside out, and we look forward to watching Vince grow with Sargento.”

Juneau started his career at Sargento in 2008 following graduate school. In 2010, he was promoted to senior sales analyst and received a Chairman’s award.

Juneau earned his master’s degree in business administration from Arkansas State in Jonesboro.

Meyer will be responsible for analyzing Nielsen data and shopper marketing information to measure trade promotion effectiveness and provide recommendations for improving customer profitability. She will utilize shopper marketing data to better understand purchasing patterns, buying habits and brand selection among key consumer segments.

“We’re pleased to have Laura on board and look forward to the knowledge that she’ll bring to this growing department,” said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer office at Sargento. “With Laura’s experience and education, we are confident she will be a valuable addition to the Consumer Products Division.”

Prior to joining Sargento, Meyer held the position of customer insights-senior analyst at Johnsonville Sausage Company in Johnsonville, Wis. She developed and led the effort to broaden and deepen the insights and analytic knowledge base of sales members and broker analysts within her region.

Meyer earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis.