After more than a decade of service to theOrganic Trade Association(OTA)and the organic community, CEOLaura Batchaplans to step down in spring 2022. The trade association hired global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry to lead its search for a new CEO and Executive Director. “The growth of our association and across the organic community during Laura’s tenure has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Board Member Paul Schiefer of Amy’s Kitchen, in a press release. “Since Laura took the helm in 2014, OTA has been able to attract new partners at every scale and at every position along the value chain.”
HempFusion Wellness Inc.has promotedMaria Leal, the company’s Vice President, Controller, and Interim Chief Financial Officer, to Chief Financial Officer. Leal holds a CPA and an MBA and has served in various senior financial accounting positions during her more than 20-year career.
Clio Snackshas appointedJohn McGuckinas Chief Executive Officer andRachel Mooreas Chief Marketing Officer. Founder and former CEOSergey Konchakovskiy will be moving into a new role as Executive Chairman, overseeing the company’s long-term growth initiatives, including production expansion, product innovation, investor relations and more.
Quicksilver Scientifichas promoted two staffers to newly created positions:Linda Nielanderwill assume the role of Executive Vice President, reporting to Founder and CEO Dr. Christopher Shade.Melanie Parrishwill take on the position of Head of People and Culture, reporting to Nielander.
Former Beyond Meat scientistGilad Kaufmanhas been hired as VP of Research and Development byTofurky.In his new role, Kaufman will refresh and accelerate the innovation pipeline, and build a progressive R&D team.
Produce industry veteranMatt Royis the new Vice President of Food Service atRevol Greens. Roy brings more than 25 years of fresh produce and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) experience to the role. The company is also bringing inMohammed Oufattole, MBA, as Chief Technology Officer. Oufattole brings over 20 years of experience in life sciences and agricultural biotechnology research. He will oversee Revol Greens’ variety selection and farm digitization strategy.
Redefine Meatannounced two business leadership appointments as part of the company’s global expansion plans:Edwin Barkhas been named SVP and General Manager EMEA, andAdrian Sagmanis now Director of Global Sales and Business Development. Bark, whose past roles include several years as Managing Director of Nestle’s European Plant-Based Food Division, will manage the company’s commercial expansion of New-Meat into Europe. Sagman, with a decade of senior business and marketing roles at Unilever Food Solutions Europe, will work to optimize Redefine Meat’s worldwide go-to-market strategy, build global partnerships, and drive sales across food services and retail.
FMIis welcomingChristine Pollackas VP, Government Relations, and is promoting Senior Director, State Government Relations,Elizabeth Tansing, to VP of State Government Relations. Pollack was the founder of Pollack Consulting, a full-service government affairs, advocacy, and communications consulting agency. Tansing has worked for FMI since 1997, and has led FMI’s efforts on state legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the grocery industry.
