After 12 years at the helm of Blue Diamond, Mark Jansen to step away from cooperative

After 12 years, Blue Diamond Growers’ chief executive officer is departing.

Mark Jansen, 54, who has been with the company since September 2010, announced plans Wednesday to step away, saying the Sacramento-based cooperative “is well-positioned for future growth and the timing is right” for a change, according to a Blue Diamond news release.

“Together, we have been fortunate to accomplish what we committed to do — and more,” Jansen said in the company’s statement. “Helping the great people of Blue Diamond thrive has been an honor and privilege.”

Board chairman Dan Cummings said Blue Diamond’s board of directors established a CEO succession committee and was working with Egon Zehnder, a management consultant company, to find Jansen’s successor.

Cummings said he had “mixed feelings” about Jansen’s departure, first reported by the Sacramento Business Journal, but he and the board are “excited for our next chapter, and for the caliber of successor we will attract that will capitalize on our strengths to make Blue Diamond even better and stronger.”

“We need someone who is respectful and appreciative to our workforce, who models the leadership traits we expect in our people-leaders,” Cummings said via email. “Our next CEO needs (to) appreciate the value of providing exceptional customer service.”

Cummings said employees at Blue Diamond work for generational family farmers who are deeply committed to providing a quality product, and the company is looking for someone who will cherish that connection.

Jansen said he would stay on as CEO until a successor is selected.

This story was originally published October 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM.