Equitable Food Initiative Promotes Kenton Harmer to Managing Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Milestones can be seen in multiple ways as companies grow. This is exemplified by promotions from hardworking individuals, such as the Equitable Food Iniative’s (EFI) promotion of Kenton Harmer to Managing Director.
Since 2013, Harmer has served as EFI’s Director of Certification and Impact, directing the multi-stakeholder process responsible for the standards, policies, and relationships that allow EFI to certify fresh produce farms for industry best practices.
“As demand for our program grows and we scale our operations, we recognize the need to strengthen our internal management systems,” said EFI Executive Director Peter O’Driscoll. “Kenton has all the right skills and experience. He built our certification program from scratch, and has helped the farms we certify to continuously improve their systems and workplace culture. The trust that Kenton has established with our staff and EFI’s multi-stakeholder partners will help him succeed in this vital new role.”
Before joining EFI, Harmer was the Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Practice at Milepost Consulting, where he strategized and implemented sustainability programs with industry leaders such as Driscoll’s, the National Mango Board, and NatureSweet Tomatoes, among others.
In this new role of Managing Director, Harmer will build and refine the quality assurance and management systems that will help EFI scale successfully, a press release explained. He will work closely with the business development, workforce development, certification, marketing, and operations teams to improve efficiency and impact. Harmer will also support the Executive Director on all aspects of strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and organizational development, and will lead the recruitment of a new Certification Manager.
“Kenton brings passion to any task he undertakes. He has been successful at EFI because of his ability to bring people together around ‘win-win’ solutions,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing Communications. “He has a unique talent for systems, data, and people—all skills that will be invaluable in taking our organization and team to the next level.”
Congratulations to Kenton on his new role!
