Two Indoor Farming Companies Recruit Industry Veterans for New Leadership Roles
January 13, 2021 
David Lee, AppHarvest
In this newly created role, Lee will develop strategy and engage in operations management, leading the sales, marketing, and finance functions as AppHarvest continues to grow as a sustainable fresh foods company.
Lee will join AppHarvest from Impossible Foods, where he has served as Chief Financial Officer since December 2015. He is credited with significant growth accomplishments at Impossible Foods, including securing more than $1.3 billion in funding to accelerate manufacturing, product development, and distribution into key national grocery, restaurant, and hospitality venues; and to expand in international markets. Additionally, Lee served as Chief Operating Officer of Impossible Foods from 2015 to 2019, during a period of significant transformation for the company. Lee has served on the board of directors of AppHarvest since August 2020 and will continue to serve in that role after the closing of the previously announced business combination of AppHarvest with Novus Capital Corporation.
“David Lee brings decades of experience across retail and consumer industries driving business transformation and optimizing organizational effectiveness from Del Monte to Zynga to Impossible Foods,” says AppHarvest Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb. “His skill set will help us build AppHarvest into an iconic brand and sustainable foods company that disrupts traditional agriculture to deliver responsibly grown American products with social impact.”
Lee holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from Harvard.
This month, AppHarvest began the first harvest from its flagship farm, a 60-acre facility growing tomatoes in Morehead, KY. The company has two additional facilities under construction: a similar 60-plus acre facility outside Richmond, KY, and a 15-acre facility to grow leafy greens in Berea, KY. AppHarvest also is planning for more facilities across Kentucky and Central Appalachia, with nine potential projects in the pipeline through 2025.
Craig Ratajczyk, Crop One
Crop One Appoints Craig Ratajczyk New Chief Executive Officer
Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming, has appointed Craig Ratajczyk as its Chief Executive Officer. Ratajczyk joins Crop One with extensive leadership experience in the agriculture industry and the U.S. Navy. He succeeds Dr. Deane Falcone, who has served as interim CEO since March 2020; Falcone will continue in his role as Crop One’s Chief Scientific Officer.
“I am thrilled to join Crop One and continue building on its existing success, bringing my global expertise and relationships to the company,” Ratajczyk says of his new position. “We have many exciting milestones ahead and I look forward to working closely with Crop One’s expert employees, stakeholders, and Board to continue growing our business, team, and global network of partnerships.”
Ratajczyk’s agriculture career has focused on increasing stakeholder value, developing market opportunities, and building key relationships and alliances in the food, feed, and biofuels industries. His previous careers have taken him around the world, contributing to his leadership and industry expertise. He also brings global strategic acumen acquired from serving 28 years in the U.S. Navy Intelligence community.
“Craig’s energy and enthusiasm are assets that will help Crop One achieve its operational and strategic goals. The board welcomes him to the team,” says Scott Peters, Crop One Board of Directors.
Ratajczyk received his degree in international Business from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Business Administration from Thunderbird – American Graduate School of International Management and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program (AMP). He is based out of the company’s Millis, MA, headquarters.
To learn more about Crop One, visit cropone.ag.
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