Zak Laffite – Director of Product Management
Paramount Citrus

• 10 years experience in the produce industry
• Professional Positions:
• Director of Product Management
• Manager of Operational Analysis
• Materials Management – Regional Manger
• Financial Planning Manager
• Graduated Cornell University
  B.S. Pomology
• Graduated Tulane University
  MBA Finance and Management
• Reason for entering the industry:
  • Family owned citrus business in Honduras

Zak's family owns a citrus operation in Honduras, where he grew up. As a result, he believes he was born into the produce industry rather than consciously entering it. Even so, Zak said, "the gratification from the challenges faced and relationships developed along the way have fostered what I hope continues to be a long, rewarding partnership".

After graduating from Cornell University, Zak took a Financial Planning Manager position at the Dole Food Company – Maya Division. He was responsible for directing cost management systems, management reporting, and budgeting for 27 business units, ranging from farming to health services and schools. After four years as a financial planning manager, Zak worked as a Regional Manager for Materials Management. In this position, he oversaw warehouse and distribution functions that support farming and packing operations in the division's largest banana producing area.

In 2004, Zak took a Manager of Operational Analysis position at the Paramount Citrus. At this position, Zak managed the Operational Analysis and Customer Service departments. Also, he created tactical harvesting and operational plans to meet sales demands. Currently, Zak is the Director of Product Management at the Paramount Citrus where he is responsible for balancing supply and demand to maximize product line profitability by creating long and short-term sales, operational, and financial plans.