Leading Executives in Greenhouses and Nurseries
Viraj Puri
Co-Founder & CEO, Gotham Greens
Co-founded Gotham Greens in 2009 and scaled it into one of North America’s largest hydroponic greenhouse brands, with 13+ facilities totaling over 1.8 million sq ft of production and national retail distribution.
website | press | LinkedIn (exec)
Steve Platt
Chief Executive Officer, BrightFarms
Veteran CPG leader who became CEO in 2019 and continues to lead BrightFarms’ U.S. network of high-tech greenhouses as part of Cox Enterprises, expanding regional salad production close to consumers.
website | press | Leadership page
Paul Sellew
Founder & CEO, Little Leaf Farms
Founder who built a peri‑urban, high‑tech greenhouse lettuce platform and announced major expansion with a new Tennessee campus slated to more than double capacity.
Michael A. DeGiglio
President & CEO, Village Farms International
CEA pioneer who founded Village Farms and has served as CEO since inception, growing it into one of North America’s largest greenhouse produce companies.
Paul Mastronardi
President & CEO, Mastronardi Produce (SUNSET)
Fourth‑generation leader credited with accelerating North America’s greenhouse revolution; under his leadership the company marked its 70th anniversary in 2024 and continues to expand via JVs like Sungrow Farms in New York.
Jamie Moracci
Chief Executive Officer, Pure Flavor
Co‑founder who serves as CEO of the vertically integrated greenhouse vegetable brand, leading rapid expansion across North America including acquisitions and new high‑tech acreage.
Patrick Criteser
Chief Executive Officer, Nature Fresh Farms
Appointed CEO effective December 2024 to lead the fast‑growing, sustainability‑focused greenhouse producer through its next phase of North American expansion.
Abe VanWingerden
Co‑CEO, Metrolina Greenhouses
Second‑generation co‑leader of one of the world’s largest ornamental greenhouse operations and the largest single‑site heated greenhouse in the U.S., serving major national retailers.
Jose (Joche) Smith Sr.
Chief Executive Officer, Costa Farms
Long‑time chief executive of one of the largest houseplant nurseries in the world; in July 2025 oversaw a leadership transition elevating Jose (Joche) Smith Jr. to President while continuing as CEO.
Jonathan Pedersen
Chief Executive Officer, Monrovia
Named CEO effective January 1, 2021, he has emphasized new plant introductions and premium branded programs at one of the most recognized U.S. nursery brands.
Ken Altman
President & Co‑Founder, Altman Plants
Co‑founder who grew Altman into one of the largest U.S. nurseries and the world’s largest succulent grower, championing sustainability initiatives across multi‑state operations.
CJ van Wingerden
Co‑Chief Executive Officer, Green Circle Growers
Co‑CEO driving major capacity expansions and national growth for the Ohio‑based producer behind Just Add Ice and Wild Interiors.
Henry Huntington
President & CEO, Pleasant View Gardens (Proven Winners partner)
President & CEO of the New Hampshire grower and Proven Winners founding partner, steering liner and finished‑plant programs for IGCs and growers nationwide.
Randy E. Davis
President, Greenleaf Nursery Company
President of one of North America’s largest wholesale nursery growers, supplying millions of container‑grown shrubs, trees and color to retailers and landscapers.
Bradd Yoder
President, Star Roses and Plants (Conard‑Pyle)
President since 2018 of the genetics company behind The Knock Out Rose and Bushel and Berry, guiding R&D, trialing and brand growth.
Karin Walters
Chief Executive Officer, Walters Gardens (Proven Winners perennials partner)
Third‑generation leader named CEO in 2022; together with the executive team she is advancing breeding, marketing, and global licensing for one of North America’s largest perennial growers.
Charles I. Kosmont
Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Farms
Long‑time chief executive and owner of one of California’s largest ornamental greenhouse growers, supplying orchids, herbs, and specialty crops to national retailers.
Anna Ball
Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Ball Horticultural Company
Chair & CEO of the global horticulture leader spanning breeding, seed, vegetative cuttings and distribution brands (e.g., Ball FloraPlant, PanAmerican Seed), with operations in 20+ countries.
Wouter Kuiper
Chief Executive Officer, KUBO Group
Third‑generation CEO of a world‑leading high‑tech greenhouse builder, driving innovations like Ultra‑Clima and a refreshed 2025 group strategy to advance sustainable, data‑driven growing.
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