Vertical farming company Plenty announced that Dana Worth has joined its leadership team as senior vice-president of commercial to help drive the company through its next phase of growth. Plenty also announced the promotions of Megan Gillespie to vice-president of farm operations and Daniel Malech to senior vice-president of strategy and general counsel.
Worth joins Plenty from Impossible Foods, where he was vice-president of sales. He led the debut of the company’s first product, the Impossible Burger, and helped build its sales and commercial teams from scratch. Worth’s accomplishments include signing deals with international food brands such as Starbucks and Burger King.
Right: Dana Worth
“We are delighted to welcome Dana to Plenty as we continue to manage our growth trajectory,” said Nate Storey, co-founder at Plenty. “Dana’s experience working with fast-growing companies, such as Impossible Foods and PayPal, will be instrumental as we accelerate both our corporate and commercial footprint.”
Megan Gillespie joined Plenty in 2019 from Tesla. She was pivotal in getting Plenty’s flagship farm up and operational, first as a research and development farm, and then expanding it into a full-production farm. Under her leadership, Plenty’s South San Francisco farm can grow 1,500 acres of crops in a building the size of a big-box retailer with a fraction of the natural resources. Throughout 2020, Gillespie led the strategy to expand production during COVID, ensuring that Plenty’s produce was delivered to grocery stores, food banks and restaurants in the Bay area.
Right: Megan Gillespie
In her new role, Gillespie will oversee farm operations for Plenty’s farms, including its latest facility, a high-output, indoor vertical farm in Compton, California which will bring access to vegetables and new jobs to the community.
Daniel Malech joined Plenty in 2018 as head of legal and has been integral in advising Plenty on business strategy and implementation.
Right: Dan Malech
In his new role, Dan will oversee a broad range of matters, including legal, corporate strategy, program management, regulatory and compliance and corporate transactions. Daniel’s team is also responsible for Plenty’s growing IP portfolio.
Prior to Plenty, Dan worked with Zymergen, an industrial biotechnology company, and in private practice at Wilson Sonsini in San Francisco and Cleary Gottlieb in New York. There he practiced across a wide range of subject matter areas including M&A, venture financing transactions, debt transactions and securities law.
For more information:
Plenty
www.plenty.ag