Orlando, Florida-based Kalera, a vertical farming company and a leader in plant science for producing high-quality produce in controlled environments, has appointed Kim Lopdrup as its new chairman as the company moves toward a U.S. listing. Lopdrup joined Kalera’s board last year and remains CEO of Red Lobster.
Lopdrup’s appointment comes on the heels of the news of Kalera’s appointment of Sonny Perdue, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Maria Sastre to the board of directors. Current Chairman Bjorge Gretland will continue as a board member in the company.
He became chairman of the company in 2013 when the company only had a handful of employees. Now, Kalera has become one of the fastest-growing and largest vertical farming companies in the world with truly pan-U.S. coverage.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Kim, a proven titan in the food and restaurant industry, become chairman of our board,” Gretland said. “His knowledge and expertise span from securing the highest quality, traceable and sustainable seafood for his vast network of restaurants to leading companies through global expansion. These are skills that are invaluable to Kalera at this time. As Kalera moves toward a U.S. listing of its stock, Kim is extremely well suited to take on the chairman role.”
Lopdrup has been the CEO of Red Lobster, the world’s largest seafood restaurant company, since 2014. Under his leadership, Red Lobster has greatly improved its food, service and technology. All of Red Lobster’s seafood is now traceable, sustainable and responsibly sourced.
It has dramatically grown its off-premise sales by adding delivery and Rapid Red Curbside Pick-Up. Red Lobster was recently recognized by Forbes on its 2021 list of America’s Best Large Employers and by Newsweek on its 2021 list of America’s Best Loyalty Programs.
Lopdrup was previously president of specialty restaurant group and new business for Darden Restaurants, where he was responsible for The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52, Yard House and Bahama Breeze as well as Darden’s international division, consumer packaged goods and M&A. He has also previously served as chief operating officer for North America for Burger King Corp. and as CEO of the international division for Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.
“Kalera has a world-class management team and a disruptive technology that allows them to produce the highest-quality produce I have ever tasted in a way that is remarkably clean, sustainable and efficient. It is easy to see why customers get so excited once they try Kalera’s products or tour one of Kalera’s farms,” Lopdrup said. “I am passionate about great food, food safety, nutrition, sustainability, innovation and international growth. Kalera is positioned to excel in all of these areas. I look forward to working with Daniel Malechuk, Kalera’s outstanding CEO, to make the most of these exciting opportunities.”
Lopdrup serves on the boards of Wawa Inc. (since 2006); Red Lobster (since 2014); Bob Evans Restaurants (since 2017) and Kalera (since 2020). He previously served on the boards of Rubio’s Restaurants (including during its IPO), 31 Ice Cream (a Japanese public company) and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. (a Canadian company). He also served on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida for 12 years, being named Board Member of the Year in 2011 and receiving National Service to Youth awards in 2010 and 2015.
He is currently co-chair of Project Opioid. Orlando Business Journal named Lopdrup a “CEO of the Year” in 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary and an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School, where he won the Uhlmann Prize for best agribusiness research in 1984.
The appointment of Lopdrup as chairman of Kalera’s Board of Directors will be presented for approval by Kalera’s shareholders at a general meeting.
