Vertical Harvest Farms appoints COO

As the company sets sights on breaking ground in Westbrook, Maine this fall for its second U.S. location, Hanna will lead the expansion plans, team growth and profitability model for the company in 10 new locations over the next five years.

Hanna joins Vertical Harvest with extensive experience creating, leading, and improving operations in for-profit and non-profit companies, and is a decorated military veteran, having served two combat tours as an officer in the Marine Corps from 2002 - 2008.

Hanna has led teams and organizations of all sizes and across multiple industries, including real estate, nonprofit, financial services, construction, online publishing, and consumer packaged goods (CPG).

Co-founder and CEO of Vertical Harvest Nona Yehia stated, "Todd joins the Vertical Harvest team during an exciting time of growth for our company as we expand our locations throughout the US, starting with Maine this fall. Our network of farms will serve locally, support regionally and scale nationally to maximize our impact on food security, social equity and the environment.

Yehia continued, "Todd's experience and passion for conscious capitalism, his understanding of the complexity of this vertical farming industry, and knowledge and proven track record with CPG and mission-based companies working for the greater good is unmatched. We are delighted he has joined Vertical Harvest Farms."

Todd Hanna commented, "Vertical Harvest is a company that is at the forefront of the massive, rapidly growing CEA industry. I am thrilled to join the team and help the company scale both operations and social impact. Vertical Harvest Farms is an urban farming force for good - we are equally committed to responding to global issues such as climate change and food insecurity as we are at addressing local social justice issues such as inclusive access to stable and secure employment at a livable wage, housing and healthy food. We are as focused on improving individual lives in the cities we operate as we are on growing nutritious food.

Hanna continued, "The opportunity to help achieve such an important mission, to grow food and futures, and to be able to do so alongside the passionate, professional, dedicated people at Vertical Harvest is an honor and a privilege."

Within the CPG industry most recently, Todd served in operational, board, and consulting roles for multiple brands. As CEO of Kate's Real Food, a manufacturer of nationally distributed, organic, energy bars, Todd led the company through major strategic initiatives including a complete rebrand, introduction of new products, improvement and standardization of product manufacturing, and 100% organic certification.

Following his tenure at Kate's Real Food, Todd served as Chief Operating Officer at Orion Companies, owners of 11 local construction related businesses in Jackson, WY.

In his role, Todd was responsible for working with the CEO to set overall corporate strategy, oversee the execution of that strategy, and ensure the financial, operational, and cultural success of each company and employee with the Orion Companies portfolio. He was directly responsible for over $20,000,000 in revenue, over 80 employees, and the management of multiple locations.

Prior to moving to Jackson Hole, Hanna lived in Austin, TX and was President of Aquila Commercial, a full-service commercial real estate firm in Austin. Todd led the company's day-to-day operations and business development. During his tenure, Aquila was named one of Austin's top 10 "Best Places to Work" and among Austin's "Fast 50" companies (mid-size).

While in Austin, Hanna was also President/CEO of Explore Austin, a nonprofit he co-founded that is dedicated to changing the lives of underserved youth through mentoring and outdoor adventure; a Venture Partner at ATX Seed Ventures (an early-stage venture capital fund created by expert entrepreneurs serving emerging entrepreneurs) and a board member of Davos Brands (an importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits, and sakes).

Todd currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of Explore Austin and the Board of Directors of Jackson Hole Community School. He has served on numerous other non-profit boards as well. These include the Board of Directors of the Art Association of Jackson Hole, the Board of Trustees of Trinity Episcopal School, The American Red Cross of Central Texas, Songwriting With: Soldiers, Aware Awake Alive, The Seton Forum, & Good Shepherd Episcopal School.

In addition, he served as the Co-Chairman of the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin and was a member of The Nature Conservancy's Conservation Council.

For more information please follow @verticalharvestfarms on Instagram, Facebook, and visit www.verticalharvestfarms.com

About Vertical Harvest Farms:
Vertical Harvest Farms grows food and futures: we are a vertical farming company that provides consistent, meaningful employment for people with intellectual and physical disabilities by cultivating nutritious food for the community. We do this by developing farms in underutilized space in urban environments, empowering underemployed groups with secure and stable employment at a living wage, and engaging with underserved communities to deliver healthy, fresh food year-round via our GROW WELL ECOSYSTEM. Our customers and communities know this every time they reach for a package of our specialty or mighty micro greens and they understand all the ways we are helping plants, people and the planet to GROW WELL.

Our farms act as innovative urban models for growing fresh food and deliver a substantial social impact. The first of these is a state-of-the-art, three-story hydroponic farm in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The second location will be in Westbrook, Maine which breaks ground in November 2021 (visit other cities in development here). In 2020, a documentary on Vertical Harvest was released on PBS called Hearts of Glass: https://www.heartsofglassfilm.com/. Additionally, you can hear our full story via our CEO's presentation at the 2021UN Food System Sustainability Summit, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICtRybYehg

MEDIA CONTACT:
Carla Tracy
Carla Tracy Public Relations
Carla@carlatracypr.com
646-591-7126 (mobile)

Source and Photo Courtesy of Blue Book Services

Source: Blue Book Services