Backyard Farms appoints new chief
Backyard Farms appoints new chief
Madison, ME-based Backyard Farms, one of the larger New England greenhouse growers of high-quality vine-ripened "Backyard Beauties" tomatoes, has appointed Roy Lubetkin president and chief executive officer.
Mr. Lubetkin, 50, will be responsible for leading the company's strategic growth efforts with ongoing "best-in-class" production process improvements, evaluation of new sustainable energy technologies, development of new varietals, exploration of new crop introductions and pursuit of wider geographic reach.
Prior to joining Backyard Farms, Mr. Lubetkin was president of Country Products Group, a division of Agway Inc., one of the larger U.S. agricultural cooperatives. He was responsible for leading CPG's $200 million portfolio of food manufacturing and distribution businesses as well as its agricultural technology start-ups. Earlier, he served as general manager of the eastern region of Metz Baking Co., a $600 million privately owned enterprise providing direct store delivery of branded and private-label baking products. Prior to that, he was president of Churny Co., a division of Kraft Foods.
Mr. Lubetkin succeeds Paul Sellew, co-founder of Backyard Farms, who will continue to serve the company as a member of its management committee.
"Backyard Farms provides a remarkable growth opportunity in the year-round specialty produce category," Mr. Lubetkin said in a press release. "The company's 'Backyard Beauties' tomatoes, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly technology, local and speedy distribution practices, as well as responsive customer service are exemplary. Company founder Paul Sellew is a true visionary who has done a tremendous job establishing Backyard Farms and I hope to build on the strong foundation that has been created. I look forward to working with the entire team to broaden the scope and reach of our unique technologies and world-class product."
Mr. Lubetkin earned a bachelor of arts degree from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and a master of business administration degree from Carnegie- Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He plans to relocate to Maine with his wife and three children.
Mr. Lubetkin, 50, will be responsible for leading the company's strategic growth efforts with ongoing "best-in-class" production process improvements, evaluation of new sustainable energy technologies, development of new varietals, exploration of new crop introductions and pursuit of wider geographic reach.
Prior to joining Backyard Farms, Mr. Lubetkin was president of Country Products Group, a division of Agway Inc., one of the larger U.S. agricultural cooperatives. He was responsible for leading CPG's $200 million portfolio of food manufacturing and distribution businesses as well as its agricultural technology start-ups. Earlier, he served as general manager of the eastern region of Metz Baking Co., a $600 million privately owned enterprise providing direct store delivery of branded and private-label baking products. Prior to that, he was president of Churny Co., a division of Kraft Foods.
Mr. Lubetkin succeeds Paul Sellew, co-founder of Backyard Farms, who will continue to serve the company as a member of its management committee.
"Backyard Farms provides a remarkable growth opportunity in the year-round specialty produce category," Mr. Lubetkin said in a press release. "The company's 'Backyard Beauties' tomatoes, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly technology, local and speedy distribution practices, as well as responsive customer service are exemplary. Company founder Paul Sellew is a true visionary who has done a tremendous job establishing Backyard Farms and I hope to build on the strong foundation that has been created. I look forward to working with the entire team to broaden the scope and reach of our unique technologies and world-class product."
Mr. Lubetkin earned a bachelor of arts degree from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and a master of business administration degree from Carnegie- Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He plans to relocate to Maine with his wife and three children.
