Edward Don & Company named Elias Tavarez chief financial officer and Phil Blas, regional sales manager for the Woodridge, Ill.-based foodservice equipment, and supplies dealer.

The appointment of Tavarez is part of a long-term succession plan, according to the company. He will succeed Jim Jones, who will remain in his current role as chief operating officer and a member of the Edward Don & Company board of directors. As CFO, Tavarez will lead the Company’s finance organization, with responsibility for accounting, treasury, financial planning & analysis, tax, and banking relations.

Tavarez has more than 15 years of experience in senior financial roles. Prior to joining Edward Don & Company he served as CFO of Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors in Detroit. He also served in senior financial roles at Dunns River Brands, LaLa US and PepsiCo.

In his new position, Blas will manage sales teams and drive new business opportunities for the California and Pacific Northwest Regions. Blas’ background includes working in sales roles for Smith & Greene where he was responsible for sales out of the dealer’s Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Denver offices. He started in street sales and added positions of increasing responsibility.