Featured image: Cliff Riner (left) and Steven Shuman (right)
Two longtime onion men and G&R Farms senior team members, Steven Shuman and Cliff Riner, were recently promoted to VP posts in executive-level management at the Glennville, GA, operation.
Steven Shuman, who joined G&R in 2016 and has been instrumental in the business development and customer service of G&R’s sweet onion programs, will serve as generation manager and vice president of sales.
Cliff Riner, who has been with G&R since 2018 as research and development manager and went on to become director of production, will serve as vice president of ag production and grower relations.
A company release noted that Steven began with the company as sales manager and later director of sales. Shuman said, “During my tenure I’ve watched G&R grow into a leading supplier thanks to team tenacity and a willingness to try new things. I’m humbled by the recognition and new role and ready to help move the company to the next level.”
Riner, whose expertise includes managing seed trials, conducting soil analyses, overseeing onion planting and assisting sustainability efforts, particularly those related to pesticides and fertilizers., said, “I have the best job in the world as I get to blend my science and production skills into a job that lets me play in the dirt to create the best food.”
He added, “I appreciate that G&R has been open to supporting innovative ideas in research and testing to continue to deliver on our mission and bring innovation to the forefront.”
CEO Blake Dasher capped off the promotions by saying, “G&R Farms is a third-generation family business, and it’s the people who have made it possible.” He went on to say, “Enough can’t be said about the contributions Steven and Cliff make to grow their roles and the company – to advance processes, assert leadership, and deliver on our promise of quality and service that is embedded into the culture of who we are as a company.”
G&R provides a year-round supply of sweet onions from Vidalia and Peru and is known for its signature Growing America’s Farmers marketing campaign. The company broke records in 2022 raising over $100,000 in scholarship funds for their GAF retailer scholarship program and successfully completed its third Season of Giving retailer program, in support of local charities.
Currently, G&R is in the final stages of installation of a state-of-the-art product line that has been eight years in the making. It will “drastically improving efficiencies and product quality, lowering costs.”
