Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VFF) today announced the appointment of Kathy Mahoney as an independent member of its Board of Directors, effective March 10, 2023. Ms. Mahoney is a veteran of the consumer goods distribution industry, having served in multiple executive level roles with industry leader, SpartanNash, in addition to her distinguished legal career.
“I am very pleased to welcome Ms. Mahoney, with her extensive accomplishments and expertise, to the Village Farms Board,” said John McLernon, Chairman of the Board of Village Farms. “Ms. Mahoney brings to the Village Farms Board a 40-plus year legal and business career, with specific experience navigating the complexities of highly regulated consumer products markets, including tobacco and CBD. Her guidance and counsel will be invaluable as Village Farms continues to pursue high growth plant-based consumer product opportunities, with a focus on emerging legal cannabinoid markets, in North America & around the world.”
Most recently, Ms. Mahoney served for more than 15 years in executive level operational and legal positions with SpartanNash Company (Nasdaq: SPTN), a Fortune400 grocery and consumer goods distributor, wholesaler and retailer, and its predecessor Nash Finch Company. From 2017 to 2020, Ms. Mahoney served as President of SpartanNash division, MDV (now SpartanNash Military), which, at approximately $2 billion in revenue is the largest supplier to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges and recognized as one of the premier worldwide distributors. As President, MDV, she was responsible for the division’s strategy, financial and operational performance, as well as development of the military private label program, which was awarded the exclusive contract to supply the Defense Commissary Agency. She was also responsible for negotiating the distribution of tobacco and related products, across a large retailers’ 18,000-plus store network, which involved navigating the regulatory landscapes of hundreds of taxing jurisdictions, as well as distribution of CBD products to SpartanNash’s wholesale customers and its own retail stores. Ms. Mahoney also served with SpartanNash in several other executive and legal capacities, culminating in her role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, as well as twice serving as the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer during transitions in human resources leadership. She also served as a member of the Board of Managers of SpartanNash’s joint venture, Fresh City Market LLC from its inception in 2013 until 2021.
Prior to her tenure with SpartanNash, Ms. Mahoney practiced law for more than 20 years, including as Managing Partner at Larson King, LLP, and Partner at Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly. Ms. Mahoney began practicing law as Special Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
Ms. Mahoney has received grocery industry recognition throughout her career, having been named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s (2016), a Woman of Influence in the Food Industry by the Griffin Report (2018), a Top Woman in Grocery by Progressive Grocer (2012 and 2019), and a Women in Business Industry Leader by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (2011).
Ms. Mahoney is a former member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, and a former member of the Grand Rapids, MI Chamber of Commerce Governance Committee and the Policy Committee and has more than 25 years of nonprofit board service, including serving in the role of Chair. She holds a JD, cum laude, from Syracuse University School of Law.