illage Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VFF) (TSX: VFF) today announced its recently acquired, wholly owned subsidiary, Colorado-based Balanced Health Botanicals (“Balanced Health”), has appointed consumer products and finance veteran, Alejandro “Alex” de Gortari, as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. de Gortari succeeds Brandon Townsley, who has left Balanced Health to pursue other career interests.
Mr. de Gortari is an accomplished finance and commercial leader, having served in increasingly senior positions in the US consumer products and cannabis industries, including more than 15 years with Molson Coors Brewing Co.
“On the heels of the acquisition of Balanced Health by Village Farms, I am thrilled to welcome a finance and commercial professional of Alex’s caliber to the Balanced Health team,” said Chase Terwilliger, President and CEO, Balanced Health Botanicals. “Alex brings nearly two decades of experience, in both large and small regulated consumer product sectors to Balanced Health, as we embark on this new chapter of our growth story as part of the Village Farms family.”
“Alex’s extensive experience in consumer products adds to Balanced Health’s formidable senior leadership team,” said Michael DeGiglio, CEO Village Farms. “We look forward to Alex’s contributions as Balanced Health continues to grow their cannabinoid platform, with future additional growth opportunities through potential pathways to the high-THC cannabis market in the US.”
Prior to joining Balanced Health, from 2004 to 2020, Mr. de Gortari held a variety of finance, accounting, sales and related roles with Molson Coors Brewing Co., including Finance Director, Latin America South, Finance Senior Manager, Latin America & Caribbean Export; Commercial, Business Development & Craft, and culminating in his position as General Manager, Emerging Markets (all with the Molson Coors International division). Mr. de Gortari was also Chief Financial Officer at Denver-based BellRock Brands, Inc., a national cannabis house of brands and intellectual property-focused CPG company. Mr. de Gortari holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
Mr. Terwilliger added, “On behalf of the entire Balanced Health team, I would like to thank Brandon for his significant contribution to the growth and success of our company. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
