Niman Ranch has appointed Jake Fazio as VP of retail sales, leading its sales team overseeing retail and e-commerce.
The company is a provider of premium natural meats, raised by independent family farmers with no antibiotics or added hormones.
“Jake started his career as a butcher and has worked his way up over the past 20 years to become one of the very best sales leaders in the natural meats space,” said Chris Oliviero, general manager of Niman Ranch.
“He has a proven track record of significant premium, branded product growth across multiple protein categories in both food service and retail.”
Fazio is joining Niman Ranch at a time of rising demand for premium, high-welfare proteins thanks to consumer interest in claims-based meats and policies like California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3.
He brings more than two decades of sales experience to Niman Ranch, most recently with Vero Foods, which includes the brands True Story, Fork in the Road, Courage Production and Heritage Foods. Prior to Vero, Fazio spent more than 10 years with Coleman Natural, overseeing West Coast sales and driving double digit growth in its “Organic” and “No Antibiotics Ever” programs annually, as well as successfully launching new claims-based products, including non-GMO certification.
“I’m proud to join the Niman Ranch team, a brand I have long admired for its commitment to quality, animal welfare and family farmers,” Fazio said.
He joins Kay Cornelius as Niman Ranch’s sales leadership, with Cornelius overseeing the brand’s food service portfolio.
Fazio launched his career in the meat industry working as a retail supervisor and meat department manager in grocers throughout Northern California, including Andronico’s, Ralphs, Albertsons and local independent retailers.
About Niman Ranch
Niman Ranch is a community of more than 600 independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the “Finest-Tasting Meat in the World,” according to the company’s website. It is the largest farmer and rancher network in North America to be “Certified Humane.”
Read more meat news from The Shelby Report.
