Harrisonburg, Virginia-based Farmer Focus has added Sheryl O’Loughlin and Susan Lattmann to its board of managers. Both women bring extensive operational knowledge and experience growing rapidly expanding organizations.
O’Loughlin is a mission-driven entrepreneur and innovator in the natural foods industry, while Lattmann is well known for her financial rigor and proven track record scaling national brands. In addition to joining as members of the board of managers, O’Loughlin will serve as chair of the nominating and governance committee and Lattmann as chair of the audit committee.
“We are truly humbled to welcome Sheryl and Susan to the Farmer Focus Board and have them join our mission to promote and protect generational family farms while improving the way we raise and sell chicken in this country,” said Corwin Heatwole, founding farmer and CEO of Farmer Focus. “Their leadership will serve the company well as we enter an exciting new phase of growth and development.”
Sheryl O’Loughlin
O’Loughlin has dedicated her 25-year career to starting and running companies and nonprofits dedicated to social and environmental justice. She is the co-founder of the Women on Boards project and the JEDI Collaborative.
She served as the CEO and president of REBBL Inc., a premium, organic beverage brand, from January 2015 to June 2019, and is the co-founder and former CEO of Plum Organics. She previously served as the executive manager for entrepreneurial studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
O’Loughlin currently serves on the board of directors for Pet IQ Inc. and One Step Closer, a nonprofit focused on addressing the most challenging environmental and social issues, as well as the advisory board of S. Martinelli and Co. She is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and Women Corporate Directors.
“I’m excited to support Farmer Focus, given its social justice model and environmentally-conscious focus, and to scale its already strong growth further,” said O’Loughlin. “As opposed to many companies now that are trying to embrace ESG because they are forced to, Farmer Focus’ commitment to equity and sustainability is part of its DNA. That is the kind of brand that will change the world and the kind of brand I look for when determining where to focus my energy.”
Susan Lattmann
Lattmann brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and operational roles, including tenures as CFO and chief administrative officer of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. During her 23 years there, she led in areas ranging from finance, merchandise operations, information technology and real estate.
Lattmann currently serves as CFO for The Row, an international privately-held luxury apparel retailer, and is the independent board director of LandSea Homes Corporation, a residential home building company that designs and builds homes and sustainable master-planned communities. Lattmann is a certified public accountant and a member of the New Jersey State Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Public Accountants.
“Coming from a family with roots in farming, I was attracted to the core values of Farmer Focus and its commitment to building a better future for generational family farmers,” said Lattmann. “In addition, the company’s commitment to financial discipline makes it a privilege to be appointed chair of the audit committee. Taking on this leadership role at Farmer Focus is an honor, and I am excited to join the company.”
Founded by sixth-generation farmer Corwin Heatwole in 2014, Farmer Focus is a 100 percent organic and humane certified chicken company with a mission to promote and protect generational family farms. Available in 2,500 stores throughout the East Coast and Midwest, Farmer Focus says it is committed to producing chicken that is better for people, the planet and animals.
For more information, visit farmerfocus.com.
