Claire Bara joins Lassonde management team

Claire Bara is joining A. Lassonde’s management team as executive vice-president and general manager, marketing, trade and product development. In this role, she’ll oversee the development of commercialization strategy for Lassonde brands including Oasis, Rougemont, Allen's, Fairlee and Fruit Drop.

Bara has more than 25 years of experience in business administration and marketing, including positions at major Canadian companies and retailers such as Sobeys, Lowe's Canada and Molson Coors.

"Claire will be an invaluable asset to our team," said Jean Gattuso, president and COO at Lassonde Industries Inc., in a news release. "I am confident she will be instrumental in helping us meet the challenges of a highly competitive marketplace and that the whole Lassonde group will benefit greatly from her expertise, her vision and her managerial skills."

She takes over from Pierre L'Heureux, who will be leaving the company to retire at the end of August.

"Pierre played a leading role in the company's expansion over the last few years, both in launching new products and the continuous improvement of our commercialization programs as well as in acquiring a major market share in all juice categories across Canada," said Gattuso, who went on to express his “warm appreciation” for L’Hereux’s years of service at A. Lassonde.