Former Starbucks executive among new leadership bringing expertise in strategic growth, multi-channel retail distribution and product innovation.

Immokalee, FL – Taste of Immokalee, a social business created and operated by high school students, is pleased to announce its 2019-2020 Board of Directors. The announcement follows a year of tremendous success for the company, including its expansion into over 200 Publix stores through the Publix Florida Local Program.

“Taste of Immokalee has been more successful than we ever dreamed possible, yet we know there is so much more potential to unleash – in both the business and the countless young lives that are being transformed through this program,” said Board member Kevin Carmichael. “It is time to bring in partners that can make a real impact on our ability to reach that potential.”

That impact will be made by an exceptional group of executives with proven success growing enterprises, particularly in areas relevant to guide Taste of Immokalee’s next evolution of growth such as multi-channel retail distribution, geographic expansions and product innovation. The newly appointed Board members include:

• Tim Cartwright, Chair – Partner, Fifth Avenue Family Office
• Kevin Carmichael – Partner, Wood, Buckel & Carmichael, Attorneys at Law
• Paul Evans – Instructor, FGCU Institute for Entrepreneurship
• Ray Jensen – Former Associate Vice President, University Business Services and University Sustainability Operations Officer, Arizona State University
• Kathleen Maier – Former CEO, Kipp Industrial Steel Sales, Inc., Co-Founder, Michigan Seamless Tube
• John K. Paul, CPA – Owner, IFCO Consulting
• Brian Scanlan – Athletic Director, Ave Maria University; Founder, Mango Bay Beach Co.
• Henry Suerth – Former Senior VP, Starbucks Coffee Company and Caribou Coffee Company
• Jaime Weinsinger – Director, Lipman Produce

“As our business expands, it creates greater opportunity not only for the students involved in our entrepreneurship program, but also for the greater community of Immokalee,” explains Marie Capita, Executive Director of Taste of Immokalee. “We are a social business dedicated to making a positive impact in our community, and 100% of our profits are returned to Immokalee to support youth programs, provide scholarships for our students, and alleviate poverty.”

In addition to Publix stores throughout Florida, Taste of Immokalee’s Florida-fresh salsa and sauces can be found in several Collier County markets including Lucky’s, Neighborhood Organics, and the gift shops at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa. All products can also be purchased online, including corporate and holiday gift bundles.