WESTMINSTER, Col. – Niman Ranch, the pioneering leader in humanely and sustainably raised pork, beef and lamb, today announced the appointment of John Flynn to the position of vice president of sales. In this role, John will lead Niman Ranch’s sales team as the trusted brand continues its growth trajectory in the retail, e-commerce and foodservice markets serving discerning customers looking for Certified Humane® meat Raised With Care® by independent family farmers and ranchers.
“John brings rich experience and a leadership mindset that will be essential assets as Niman Ranch continues to grow,” said Chris Oliviero, General Manager of Niman Ranch. “Our sales team plays an essential role as ambassadors to our farmer and rancher community and they have the tremendous responsibility of finding customers to help small- and mid-size independent family farmers and ranchers stay on the land and continue their sustainable farming traditions.”
John brings more than 30 years of sales experience to Niman Ranch, most recently with California-based SunFed Ranch, a grass-fed beef business, where he significantly expanded their distribution nationwide. Prior to SunFed, John was an essential leader in sales at several leading meat businesses including JBS USA, Cargill, Johnsonville Sausage and Kraft Foods. John has led small and large teams and spearheaded branding strategies, crafted successful go-to-market plans and worked with a diverse set of business partners to drive sales; to name just a few of his accomplishments.
“I am proud to join the Niman Ranch team and help the mission-driven brand continue to grow and innovate,” shared John on his new position. “Joining the Niman Ranch family and leading the brand goes well beyond sales. I am thrilled to help Niman Ranch continue to be the gold standard in the natural meat world and support independent family farmers and sustainable agriculture.”
Kay Cornelius, Niman Ranch’s most recent vice president of sales, this month transitioned to General Manager for Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats. “Moving on from Niman Ranch after 12 years with the company is certainly bittersweet, but I know our sales team and farmer community are in good hands with John at the helm,” said Kay. “John brings a unique set of skills from his experience working with both small, natural meat brands and larger national meat businesses. He will be able to take Niman Ranch to the next level, while remaining true to our foundational pillars of sustainability, humane animal care, independent family farmers and, of course, exceptional quality and taste.”
John is particularly well-suited for this new position today with the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically changing consumer behavior and food shopping habits. “John has decades of experience working with national grocery chains, neighborhood specialty markets and regional foodservice distributors. This will serve Niman Ranch well as consumers continue to embrace cooking at home and aspire for both restaurant-quality family meals and also simple, wholesome dinner solutions,” shared Chris.
Niman Ranch is a respected leader and pioneer in the natural meat space, starting in the early 1970’s with one rancher and growing one independent farm family at a time to build the community of more than 750 it has today. This network of farmers and ranchers raise beef, pork and lamb humanely and sustainably to produce award-winning meat served at fine dining restaurants by many top chefs including James Beard award winners and Michelin Star recipients, better for you quick service chains like Chipotle and Shake Shack, in specialty grocers across the country as well as the rapidly growing e-commerce market. All farmers and ranchers in the Niman Ranch network are Certified Humane® and raise their livestock on pasture or in deeply bedded pens with no antibiotics or added hormones—EVER. This commitment to humane animal care and going the extra mile results in unrivaled quality and taste.
John lives in Fort Collins, Colorado and will work out of Niman Ranch’s office in Westminster. He received his bachelor’s of science in political science and economics from University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and his MBA/MEP from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business Management.
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Niman Ranch is a community of more than 750 independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the Finest-Tasting Meat in the World®. Niman Ranch is the largest farmer and rancher network in North America to be Certified Humane®. The protein of choice for America’s most celebrated chefs, Niman Ranch is also the premier option for discerning home cooks looking for meats Raised with Care®, with no antibiotics or added hormones—ever. Follow Niman Ranch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
