Produce Supplier State Garden Adds Three Executives
New England-based family-owned produce supplier State Garden has added three to its executive team as the company’s portfolio of brands and offerings continues to evolve.
Joining the company is Tom Thompson as chief revenue officer, Dinesh Babu as vice president of Quality and Food Safety, and Faye Doyle as director of Marketing.
According to the company, the new hires represent a strategic push to build capacity and expertise for accelerated growth and entrance into new markets. Over the past year, State Garden has expanded its geographic footprint and market penetration with new brands, new product lines, and new strategic partnerships.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tom, Dinesh, and Faye to the State Garden family,” said Mark DeMichaelis, CEO of State Garden. “As a company, we’re growing fast, with a lot of exciting opportunities on the horizon. Their expertise will be crucial as we continue to grow brands like Olivia’s Organics to new markets.”
Thompson’s role as chief revenue officer will entail driving overall revenue activities with an immediate focus on enhancing strategies focused on State Garden’s emerging brands and growth opportunities. Before joining State Garden, Thompson worked throughout the food supply chain with deep expertise in field- and greenhouse-grown products.
As vice president of Quality and Food Safety, Babu will oversee food safety, compliance, and quality management programs while fostering a culture of food safety across the organization and value chain. Before joining State Garden, he managed food safety for several notable produce companies. He has a Ph.D. in food science and food microbiology from Oklahoma State University.
In her role as director of Marketing, Doyle will lead all marketing efforts for State Garden’s core brands, inclusive of consumer insights, brand strategy, campaign development and execution, strategic planning, and innovation. Doyle has more than 20 years of marketing experience across many industries, including CPG and family brands.
State Garden is a fourth-generation family business committed to helping all families eat better and live better. With roots as a produce cart in Boston’s North End, the company has been providing produce to food markets since 1938. Today the company is a leading supplier of organic and tender leaf lettuce, spinach, and celery hearts in the Northeast, with a brand portfolio including Olivia’s Organics, Northeast Fresh, and private label offerings.