Maui Land & Pineapple Co. today announced that Gerard "Gerry" Watts, vice president and general manager of its agricultural subsidiary is leaving the company to become divisional president of a multinational food company based in Southern California.

Watts' resignation from Maui Pineapple Co. is effective May 9.

"We are deeply grateful to Gerry Watts for his outstanding work at Maui Pineapple Company," said David Cole, chairman, president and CEO of MLP.

"Gerry has done a tremendous amount of work in cost containment and streamlining logistics and was instrumental in the development of our strategic relationship with Calavo Growers, Inc. In the three years he has been with us, he has helped to reshape pineapple strategy and operations. We wish him and his family well as they return to California."

Cole said the company is accelerating initiatives Gerry had undertaken to consolidate fresh pineapple operations at its Honolua plantation to take advantage of better growing conditions, shorter growing cycles, and lower operating costs.