Corwin Heatwole, founding father of Farmer Focus, is transitioning away from his position as CEO of the corporate to turn into the chairman of the corporate’s board of managers. On the identical time, Stephen J. Shepard, the corporate’s president and chief working officer has been promoted to CEO.
In accordance with a press launch, these managerial adjustments are a part of the natural poultry firm’s strategic plan and dedication to deal with the way forward for farming.
The corporate is often known as Shenandoah Valley Natural (SVO). Farmer Focus is the corporate’s retail model.
“Our enterprise is powerful and the manager staff is well-positioned to maintain the expansion trajectory we’re on,” Heatwole said. “My aim has at all times been to step away from the day-to-day operations and create time and area for casting imaginative and prescient for what comes subsequent – particularly regenerative agriculture and innovation in farming. I imagine Farmer Focus is an vital voice on this area.”
Commenting on his new position inside the firm, Shepard mentioned: “I’m grateful for the group Corwin constructed and the mission that unites our Farmer Focus staff. I’m humbled to function CEO, and I decide to serve, to the most effective of my skill, our staff members, farm companions, clients, and customers. Our mission stays: Promote and defend generational household farms. I sit up for working with the manager staff to develop our enterprise in new channels and classes to permit us to welcome extra farmers into our neighborhood.”
Farmer Focus Board of Managers member Matt Walker of S2G, the lead investor within the firm, is supportive of this evolution in stewardship.
“Corwin’s preliminary concept for Farmer Focus was a sport changer within the poultry area. My fellow board members are excited to see what new horizons Corwin’s visionary expertise will create for the corporate,” mentioned Walker.
“The board has been impressed by the management exhibited by Farmer Focus’ President & COO, Stephen J. Shepard. We’re assured that in his tenure as CEO, Stephen will lead the enterprise as he leads his life – with conviction, humility, and unparalleled drive.”
Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 2014, SVO has grown to turn into the 26th largest poultry producer in america, in line with knowledge from the WATTPoultry.com Prime Poultry Firms Database. Throughout the previous 12 months, it processed 2 million kilos of ready-to-cook hen on a weekly foundation.
