After an extensive search for a Chief Executive Officer, Carnation Farms’ Board of Directors has appointed Jeff Gottlieb to the role. Gottlieb, a Sammamish resident, is the first CEO of the newly founded nonprofit, and will lead the way in the delivery of the mission and vision to connect individuals to the food system, local ecology, and sustainable agriculture.

Gottlieb assumes the leadership of Carnation Farms following an exceptional tenure with Sur La Table serving as vice president of stores and executive vice president of sales. During his time as a leader at Sur La Table, Gottlieb doubled the number of stores, built the largest non-degree based cooking school in the country, developed “Kids Camp” educating thousands of children on how to cook healthy meals, and collaborated with local and national nonprofits to support food-based initiatives.

“We conducted an extensive search among many qualified candidates and Jeff emerged as the clear choice to take Carnation Farms into the future,” said co-founder and board co-president, Elbridge Stuart, III. “His unique combination of strategic and finely‐honed operational skills, along with his commitment to the community fit perfectly with our plan and long‐term goals. We look forward to working with Jeff as we develop and execute the roadmap to achieve the next phase of growth for Carnation Farms.”

Gottlieb is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He looks forward to mapping out a future with Carnation Farms.