B&G Foods, Parsippany, N.J., has promoted Vanessa Maskel to vice president of sales. Previously, Maskel served as senior brand manager and director of direct-store delivery sales at B&G Foods. She succeeds David Burke, who is retiring.

Corazonas Foods Inc., Anaheim, Calif., has appointed Bob Gandert vice president of sales. Gandert brings with him more than 15 years of experience in the grocery and natural products industry. He will oversee the company’s sales operations and expansion plans, including expanding its broker, distributor and retailer relationships.

Giorgio Foods, Templa Pa., has promoted Robert Koch to national sales manager for military and convenience store sales. Koch will work to grow Giorgio Foods’ presence in those channels.

Quaker Tropicana Gatorade, the Chicago-based division of PepsiCo, has named Todd Magazine president of its Gatorade business unit and Mark Schiller president of Quaker Foods and Snacks.

Louis Flores Ruiz, 90, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Dinuba, Calif.-based Ruiz Foods, passed away on April 1. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Ruiz and his son, Fred, formed Ruiz Foods Inc., which is now the nation’s largest frozen Mexican food manufacturing company and the second-largest Hispanic-owned manufacturing firm in the country. In 2004, Ruiz was named to the Tortilla Industry Association’s Hall of Fame. Condolences may be sent to the family at RuizFamily@RuizFoods.com.

Paul Parkinson, 62, former managing director of Baker Perkins, has passed away. Parkinson retired in 2001 after a 35-year career with the company and was well known within the biscuit, bakery and snack industry throughout the world. He joined Baker Perkins as a sales trainee in the company’s biscuit equipment system and rose to become director and divisional manager. In 1988, following the merger of Baker Perkins and APV, he became managing director of APV Baker, a position he held until his retirement. The name Baker Perkins returned last year when private entrepreneurs acquired the company.