The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has named Rob Davenport as the new Director of the Division of Marketing and Development. Davenport has worked in the food and agribusiness industry for 30 years. During this time, he has obtained domestic and international sales, leadership and business development experience in promoting a variety of agribusiness products. He began his new role on December 10.
VDACS’ Division of Marketing and Development promotes economic development within Virginia‘s agriculture sector and provides marketing services to the state’s producers, commodity boards and associations, retailers and buyers. The division promotes Virginia agricultural commodities, wood products, seafood, and specialty food and beverage items, both domestically and abroad through a global network of trade representatives.
“We are pleased to have Rob Davenport join our team as the Director of the Division of Marketing and Development,” said VDACS Commissioner Dr. Jewel Bronaugh. “He has extensive industry-related experience in the domestic and international marketplaces and working with large, multinational and small, family-owned businesses. Rob’s experience in promoting a variety of agribusiness products, from high-value grocery items to poultry and pork products, will aid our efforts to market Virginia’s diverse agricultural industry.”
Before joining VDACS, Davenport worked as international sales director for Sauer Brands, Inc., where he managed a $60 million branded and private-label condiment export business for customers in 12 different countries. While in this position, he provided private sector feedback to the Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and the United States Trade Representative during the development of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. He began his tenure at Sauer Brands as a national account manager and was promoted to sales manager of business development. In this role, he oversaw a $40 million private label condiment and spice business that had multiple customers across the U.S.
Davenport also worked as a national account manager for ConAgra Foods. In this position, he oversaw the Butterball turkey and Hebrew National product lines for all Costco U.S. operations. While employed at ConAgra, his area of responsibility grew to include sales responsibility of a variety of dry grocery, snack, refrigerated meat and dairy items in the Costco East and Midwest regions.
“I look forward to utilizing my skills and experience to help Virginia’s producers and processors find the best markets for their products,” said Davenport. “During my tenure in the private sector, I have seen the opportunities that government partnerships can offer. I look forward to partnering with Virginia’s farmers as well as small, medium and large agribusinesses to grow their business opportunities and Virginia’s agricultural economy.”
Davenport holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior and Labor Law from Old Dominion University. He is currently a candidate for a Master of Arts in Global Business Management from the University of Alabama. He holds professional membership in the Virginia Manufacturers Association, the Association for Corporate Growth, serves as a board member of the Virginia International Business Council, and board chair of the Commonwealth Leadership Council.
