Atlanta-based greenhouse grower Cox Farms has named Lee Quackenbush chief financial officer.
Quackenbush brings more than two decades of finance leadership experience across consumer goods, retail and manufacturing, with a record of driving transformation, strengthening profitability and building high-performing teams, according to a news release.
With the addition of Quackenbush, Cox Farms says it strengthens its senior leadership team focused on sharpening the company’s strategy, strengthening operations and delivering at scale for retail and foodservice customers across North America.
As CFO, Quackenbush will oversee the global finance organization and help guide the company’s continued growth and investment in greenhouse-grown produce across North America.
“Over the past year, I’ve been deliberate about the team we’re building at Cox Farms, and Lee is exactly the kind of leader we needed to complete it,” says Cox Farms President Steve Bradley. “His deep financial expertise will support our efforts to expand greenhouse agriculture and build a more resilient produce supply chain across North America.”
Most recently, Quackenbush led the value creation program at Mars, supporting the company’s $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova, one of the largest transactions in the consumer goods industry. He previously served as vice president and CFO of Mars Retail Group, leading finance, controllership, procurement and ERP functions across omnichannel retail and manufacturing operations.
“What drew me to Cox Farms was the clarity of the mission and the strength of the team Steve has built,” Quackenbush says. “This business has the scale, infrastructure and customer relationships to reshape and define how North America sources its produce. I’m here to help ensure the financial engine matches that ambition.”
Through its multinational network of indoor farms and consumer brands, including BrightFarms and Mucci Farms, Cox Farms has a workforce of more than 2,500 employees. Owned by Cox Enterprises, a multigenerational, family-owned business, Cox Farms says it represents the company’s commitment to improving the planet and elevating human health.
