Our Executive Team
Our forward-thinking executive team have taken Pete Pappas & Sons Inc to new heights! They have all worked diligently to grow the business in a number of ways in recent years. This includes becoming vertically integrated with Smoky Mountain Family Farms to become the premium quality supplier, grower, packer, shipper, distributor and green business we are today.
Gus Pappas
Co-CEO + 4th generation Pappas family businessman
Gus is our resident berry professional. With over 25 years of expertise, Gus has skyrocketed the growth of the company's berry category. What began with selling strawberries has grown to now include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and organic berries. He has championed the development of the organic berry category, which aligns with the sustainability values of the company overall.
His co-leadership alongside his brother Aris has taken the company to expand and explore many new opportunities in recent years.
Aris Pappas
Co-CEO + 4th generation family member
Aris is our resident tomato expert who joined his father’s and brothers’ sides in 2004, and over the past two decades he has helped expand not only the tomato selection and packaging, but also the variety of fruits and vegetables that we carry. Aris has a hand in picking the bulk of our produce, which is reflected by the premium quality we offer.
He is passionate about sustainability and often encourages the sustainable programs that PP&S offers.
Paul Pappas
President
Paul rejoined the company in 2013, and first worked with the company as a Production Manager from 1987-1994. He has owned his own food distribution company, was the COO of a food service distributor and has experience working at a produce grower/shipper and wholesale distributors.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Paul has helped PP&S to take advantage of every opportunity to grow, improve and even start new businesses.
Don Martin
Chief Growth Officer
He brings an impressive 30 years experience in the produce industry, and has worked for growers, shippers and repackers. His passion for organic produce has also brought new insights, products and packaging to our organic programs.
Don helps find, assess and take advantage of growth opportunities including building relationships with new customers, developing new products and packaging and identifying where the company should expand.
Pete Pappas
Helen Pappas
Derek Reich
Chairman of the Board + 3rd generation Pappas
Pete joined his father and uncle at Pete Pappas & Sons in 1972. Over the past 50 years, he has overseen the expansion of our original tomato business to become the supplier, grower, packers, shipper and distributor we are currently.
Pete and his sons Gus and Aris and daughter Helen have truly fulfilled the company name and goal of growing their family business.
Director of Marketing and Sustainability + 4th Generation
Helen is a 2022 Produce 40 Under 40 winner. Her flair for marketing and aesthetics include branding, social media, content creation and packaging design.
She is passionate about sustainability, and is a found and leader of our Green Team. Helen is certified in sustainability reporting, volunteers on food waste initiatives and also has even guest written sustainability articles for industry publications.
General Manager
Derek is passionate about operations, and excels in both building teamwork across multiple departments and leveraging efficiencies.
His extensive experience includes 30 years in the fresh produce industry.
Derek's knowledge of fresh produce, operations and logistics make him an asset to our strategic planning and management teams. And an integral part of our company leadership.
Michael Szyjka
Director of Operations
Mike is passionate about teamwork, efficiency, food safety and quality.
His extensive experience includes 28 years in production, and 13 years in the fresh produce processing, packaging and repacking arenas.
With these specialties, he brings a comprehensive knowledge of fresh produce, people and machinery to PP&S.
Anjanette Bizzarro
Director of Human Resources
Anjanette is highly passionate about the food and produce industry.
She brings over 12 years industry experience with a Human Resource Management Degree to the company and the HR department. The HR department has flourished under Anjanette's leadership style.
As a member of the Green Team, Anjanette also brings a passion for green business and the environment and is an asset to our management team.
Our Legacy
Pete Pappas & Sons Inc. is a 4th generation family owned and operated business that focuses on providing excellent service, building personal customer relationships and delivering the finest wholesale produce available.
In the hands of the Pappas family, led by Pete, Gus, Aris, Paul and Helen, Pete Pappas & Sons Inc. services grocery stores and the food service industry throughout the Eastern Seaboard. With added farming operations and expanding delivery areas and grower partnerships, the company continues to grow every year.
Our company has a long history in the Washington, D.C. – Baltimore metropolitan area produce industry. Our beautiful company mural in our offices (shown above) highlights our roots in Washington and how the family and business have grown since 1942. Read below for an overview of how our company came to be, and how it's grown over the past 80 years.
Celebrating 80 Years of Family Business
Premium Produce Since 1942
Humble Beginning
Pete Pappas & Sons Inc. dates back to 1901, when Pete K. Pappas immigrated to America from Sparta, Greece. He started selling produce from a push cart in the early 1900’s. By 1917 he had a retail stand in the Center Market, and in 1932 moved business to the Union Market (now known as the Florida Avenue Market).
In 1940, the company was known as Pete Pappas & Son, as Pete K. Pappas’ eldest son Gus started working full time to help at the market and job produce to other vendors.
In 1942, Pete Pappas & Son was asked to handle a load of tomatoes that had been damaged in transit. Gus had the foresight to repack the tomatoes and sell them, thus began the Pete Pappas & Sons tomato repacking operation.
This exact moment was the birth of the wholesale produce distribution company as we know it today. We have specialized in repacking tomatoes under the Patricia Brand label (pictured in the 1940s) for chain stores and the food service industry since then.
Continued Growth
The company has grown and expanded, but Gus’ son Pete never forgets how the company began and his family’s roots in the industry.
In 1946 the company became Pete Pappas & Sons, as we know it today. World War II had ended and George Pappas, Gus’ younger brother, returned from the Air Force to join the family business. That year, Pete Pappas & Sons bought a stable at 12 ½ Street, SE, and converted it into a re-packing plant.
In 1972 Gus’ son Pete joined the business and was followed by George’s son Phillip shortly thereafter. The company grew and expanded its operation into several different locations. In 1979 the Pappas family purchased a multi level 90,000 square ft. facility that was initially used by the Safeway pre-pack operation.
The company has expanded since the 1980s by adding potatoes, onions, and all types of berries to complement their tomato repacking operations.
Relocation & Expansion
Pete, the current Chairman of the Board and a 3rd generation family businessman, was joined by his sons Gus in 1999 and Aris in 2004. His sons now share the title of co-CEO. Gus and Aris make the 4th generation leaders of this family owned and operated company.
Pete’s second cousin Paul, who worked from 1987-1994, re-joined the company after selling his own produce company in 2013 becoming our Vice President of Operations. Together Pete, Gus, Aris and Paul make a dynamic team that has truly taken the business to new heights.
In August of 2014 the company expanded operations and relocated to Jessup, Maryland. Our brand-new, completely refrigerated and “State of The Art” facility spans a whopping a 120,000 sq ft warehouse.
With the continued growth of business, we have added organics, more year around premium items, seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as all types of tomatoes, berries and onions.
Pappas Means Produce!
Our family has been in produce for over 80 years, and it shows! The patriarch of the Pappas family, Pete, is in business with his sons Gus and Aris and their cousin Paul. His daughter Helen joined the company in 2015.
The rest of the Pappases, including grandkids, come to visit the warehouse and enjoy eating our fresh produce You'll also see the two Helens, Pete's mother and daughter.
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our family and our family business.
