Stemilt Growers, a tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington, is adding Darrin Belton to its agriculture leadership team in the newly created position of business development director of Stemilt Ag Services, according to a news release. Belton joins Stemilt’s agriculture division after a 31-year career in various roles at Wilbur Ellis.

“We are thrilled to bring someone with Darrin’s vast expertise on board,” said West Mathison, Stemilt president, in the release. “Darrin has worked closely with Stemilt for three decades and has an intimate knowledge of our farms and teams, which will serve him well as part of our orchard decision-making team. He will also be at the forefront of our tech and automation research and development in the field.”

Belton graduated in 1988 with a degree in horticulture from Washington State University. He joined the Wilbur Ellis team as a crop advisor before being promoted to area manager and then to business development director and territory manager.

Belton, who joined Stemilt in early July and is based in Zillah, Washington, is a board member of the Washington Apple Education Foundation, the Yakima County Horticultural Pest and Disease Board and the Zillah School District.

Stemilt Growers, owned and operated by the Mathison family, is a leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the nation’s largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. For more information, visit stemilt.com.

—by Jared Johnson