Sprout is growing! We’re excited to share our latest news, and thrilled to be adding these super stars to the Sprout team!
Sprout Adds Three Key Members to its Leadership Team
The Arlington-based urban agriculture startup is growing rapidly to meet surging demand.
April 5, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arlington, Virginia
Sprout is growing! Sprout announced today that it has added three new members to its leadership team to help the startup meet strong market demand. Judy Hafner, Eric Hansen, and Joanna Whitnah have joined Sprout to serve alongside CEO Rebecca Carpenter. Judy joins as Sprout’s Chief Operating Officer, Eric as Chief Financial Officer, and Joanna as Chief Grower. Judy and Eric will assist with Sprout’s growth in 2016 and beyond. Classmates of Rebecca from the University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business, and with a combined 40 years of experience, Judy and Eric offer the expertise needed take Sprout to the next level. Judy has advised several startups and founded WE Know WE Can, a networking group for women entrepreneurs. Judy also manages her own successful government relations consulting business. “I am excited to start a new challenge with Sprout and look forward to working with the team to further develop Sprout’s products and services. I am fortunate to join a company with a mission that encourages people to live healthier lives.” Eric has extensive C-Level experience as the former COO of a market-leading broadcast media company, the CFO of a tech start-up, and the CFO and Board Member of a non-profit that serves children who need families. He also currently runs a growing consulting firm that provides Interim CFO/COO leadership to small- to mid-sized companies. “I love Sprout’s dual mission as a Benefit Corporation, serving both the fiduciary needs of its shareholders and its purpose-driven goal of being a sustainable social enterprise.”
Joanna brings nine years of farming experience to Sprout having grown organic produce in regions spanning the East Coast as well as New Zealand and Cambodia. She has a degree in Sustainable Agriculture, including specialties in organic chemistry, biostatistics, and outdoor education. As Chief Grower, Joanna oversees Sprout’s urban farming initiative from seed to harvest. “I’m excited to join such an energized and committed team, and to help our clients grow their own produce – it’s a win for their health, for our community, and for the Earth.”
“We’ve been fortunate to attract a team that is not only exceptionally bright, but also has strong character and a commitment to a higher purpose,” commented CEO Rebecca Carpenter. “Joanna, Judy, and Eric’s wealth of experience and commitment to our mission make them key additions to the Sprout team. I am confident they will play a significant role as we build Sprout into the first national consumer brand in the garden-to-kitchen space.” About Sprout Sprout is a rapidly-growing startup in the organic food and urban farming space. Based in Arlington, Virginia, Sprout strengthens the connection between garden and kitchen by providing products and services related to the growing and eating of healthy, organic, garden-based food. Sprout uses its business acumen as a force for social good, and as such, the company is structured as a Benefit Corporation – meaning it has a triple bottom line that delivers ROI for Profit, People and Planet. Sprout aims to be the first national consumer brand in the garden-to-kitchen space.
Contact Rebecca Carpenter, Sprout CEO Rebecca@SproutKitchenGardens.com www.SproutKitchenGardens.com