AppHarvest names CEA industry vet Tony Martin CEO to help accelerate production and revenue ramp up of high-tech indoor farm network

Martin will continue rapid execution of Project New Leaf focused on operational efficiency for higher yields, improved quality and cost savings

Kevin Willis named AppHarvest board chair

AppHarvest has been shipping more sustainable produce to top grocers, restaurants and food service outlets since 2021

MOREHEAD, Ky., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AppHarvest, Inc. (NASDAQ: APPH, APPHW), a sustainable food company, public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp building some of the world’s largest high-tech indoor farms to grow affordable, nutritious fruits and vegetables at scale while providing good jobs in Appalachia, today named controlled environment agriculture veteran Tony Martin its chief executive officer effective immediately to accelerate its strategic plan, Project New Leaf, which has shown strong progress toward operational efficiencies resulting in higher sales, cost savings and product quality as the company works to increase production across its four-farm network.

Martin has served as an AppHarvest board member since October 2022 and as chief operating officer since January of this year. He joined AppHarvest following a nearly 12-year career with Windset Farms, one of the largest controlled environment agriculture (CEA) producers and marketers of indoor-grown crops in North America with more than 250 acres in the U.S. and Canada. At Windset, he supported both significant infrastructure and revenue growth. Martin has served as a consultant in the CEA sector and is a board member of the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation, a non-profit that sets standards for the trade of fresh fruits and vegetables in Canada. He also serves on the board of Natureripe Farms, the second largest strawberry producer in North America, and is a partner in GA Partners, which consults on agricultural operations and assisting businesses in transition.

Martin’s Project New Leaf strategic plan focuses on improving labor efficiency, better leveraging industry relationships and expertise, implementing disciplined cost control, improving the feedback loop across the organization and aligning the workforce to the five-year plan. “I’m seeing a maturity building in the organization to better manage issues and to mitigate any material impact from challenges. We’re working more collaboratively, which is delivering cost savings and driving product quality. The mission and purpose behind AppHarvest have brought a tremendous amount of talent to the team, and I expect to see more operational efficiencies leading to increased performance throughout the year.”