Grower's Organic, LLC.

Our People

• Business Development

  • Brian Freeman
    Owner
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Phoenix, AZ

    How Many Years Have You Been In The Industry?
    16 years

    What is Your Background?
    Being a vegetarian for the first 12 years of my life, I started out shopping at Co-Op’s. I was eating organic food before people were even calling it ‘organic’. I’ve worked at Genesis, Wild Oats and farmer’s markets for over five years.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Broccoli romanesco

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I enjoy spending my time with my family, dog and horse, or doing house/yard work.

  • Elizabeth Boulos
    Director of Marketing & Business Development
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Cape Elizabeth, ME

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    3 years

    What is Your Background?
    I have been working in the food industry for the past three years, primarily as a marketing consultant for Hannaford Supermarkets, a Northeastern chain. I spearheaded their Guiding Stars Store Tours program, which educates children about making healthy choices in each department of the supermarket, and utilizing the company’s nutritional navigation system, Guiding Stars. Additionally, I was involved in the organization and execution of Organic & Natural in-store events, product launches and store opening plans.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Tomatoes, asparagus, yams, blueberries and pineapple

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    One of my greatest pleasures is traveling and I seize every opportunity that I have to take a road trip, or go abroad. I recently spent three weeks in Croatia, soaking in the culture of Zagreb, island hopping off the coast of Split, and exploring the palace walls of Dubrovnik. I love going to baseball games and, having spent the first 24 years of my life in the Northeast, am a loyal Red Sox fan. When I’m not traveling, or at the ballpark, I can be found outside–skydiving, rafting, going to the beach/lake, camping and skiing.

• Farm Fresh 2 GO

  • Rachel Freeman
    Farm Fresh 2 GO Food Box Manager
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Denver, CO- I went to Cherry Creek High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder

    How Many Years Have You Been In The Industry?
    6 years

    What is Your Background?
    I was a real estate broker for ten years

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Mangoes, peaches and berries

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    Managing (mothering) 3 people under 5 years old.

• Operations

  • Sharon Novacek
    Office Manager
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Mosca, CO

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    My whole life– I’m a farm girl!

    What is Your Background?
    After spending my school years on our family-owned White Mountain Farm, I went to Adams State College and received my BS in Accounting. I moved to the Denver Metro area in 1992 and worked for the state of Colorado until October of 1999. I am also a certified CPA.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Depends on my mood! I love cherries, watermelon, blueberries, artichokes, lemon, cucumbers, and fresh corn-on-the-cob.

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I recently returned from vacationing in my RV with my husband, but I can most often be found cheering on my two daughters at their gymnastics competitions.

  • Jen Harrelson
    Office Assistant
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Colorado Springs, CO

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    I’m brand new!

    What is Your Background?
    It’s a mix of administrative jobs and working with kids.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    My current fave is asparagus

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I love being outside; hiking, rock climbing, camping or just reading in the park. I also love art and spend a large amount of my time messing around with any art supplies that I can get my hands on.

• Purchasing

  • Bob Brown
    Buyer
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Schenectady, NY

    How Many Years Have You Been In the Industry?
    I am a rookie, but learning fast.

    What is Your Background?
    I have been cooking professionally/personally and enjoying organic produce for many years. I am a backyard organic gardener and feel a strong connection with the earth. I am also a massage therapist and a Reiki practitioner who understands the connection between the body, mind, and soul. I believe that organic foods help to build this connection to promote a healthy body and planet.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Baby bok choi, ginger and the vile weed

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I have been playing ice hockey for almost 30 years. I enjoy live music, the martial arts and keeping fit.

  • Brian Wheeler
    Buyer
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Massachusetts

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    Over 20 years

    What is Your Background?
    Clean air, the river and mountains beckoned me to go west, arriving in Colorado in 1982 as an Adventure photographer, river guide and back country skier. In my need to be down to earth, I came to Boulder and secured a job with Alfalfa’s Market as the produce manager in 1991. In 1996, wanting more control over my produce and high standard for organics, I went to the Pearl St. Wild Oats Market. I was recruited by Boulder Fruit Express and became Denver’s top Organic Produce buyer. BFX was purchased by Albert’s/United Natural Foods where I stayed for 5 more years, before coming to Grower’s Organic.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Depending on the season, some of my favorite fruits and veggies include figs, persimmons, ramps, and Colorado’s own Kokopelli peaches.

    How Do Your Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I am an avid photographer, enoy biking, and spending as much time as possible with my wife.

  Sales

  • Angie White
    Restaurant Sales and Customer Service Representative
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Iowa

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    1 year

    What is Your Background?
    Customer service and sales

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Peaches

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    Skiing, traveling, reading, loving life

  • Christa Long
    Restaurant Sales Manager
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Peoria, IL

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    Learning about organic produce for 7 years; With Grower’s Organic for 4 years

    What is Your Background?
    I became interested in organic agriculture during my college years at Beloit in Wisconsin. I spent my weekends and evenings working small family farms in exchange for produce. Soon, my summers and semesters were spent learning and working the land. I also worked a season at Monroe Organic Farms in Kersey, CO. I took that knowledge to the kitchen while taking Natural Foods Cooking classes in Boulder, and abroad, in Thailand and Haiti. With my years of study, and a degree in Social and Environmental Sustainability, I found myself perfectly comfortable returning to Colorado. I feel incredibly lucky to have found Grower’s Organic. Since 2005, I have been continuously impressed with the fruits and vegetables that Grower’s Organic’s farmers grow. My love of variety and quality produce has allowed me to become trusted by chefs and produce managers.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    English peas, mizuna and brandywine tomatoes

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    Depending on the season, I am on the slopes, in my backyard garden, or slingin’ mushrooms at the Boulder Farmer’s Market.

  • Keith Ferro
    Outside Sales and Customer Service Representative -Fort Collins
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Valley Stream on Long Island, NY

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    1 year

    What is Your Background?
    I was a sales manager for 20 years. I also spent four years selling and distributing coffee in Fort Collins and Laramie.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Baby spinach, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I take advantage of my free time by rowing or snowshoeing in the mountains, and fly-fishing in local rivers.

  • John Cato
    Outside Restaurant Sales and Customer Service Representative
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    Where Did You Grow Up?
    Denver, CO

    How Many Years Have You Been In The Industry?
    30 years

    What is Your Background?
    I spent several years in restaurant management.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Tomatoes

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    I am passionate about staying active and healthy. I also am the proud father of eight and enjoy spending time with my family.

  • Pam Nelsen
    Retail Sales and Customer Service Representative
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    Were Did You Grow Up?
    Lexington, NE

    How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
    32 years

    What is Your Background?
    Since the beginning of my produce career in 1977 as the produce manager with Sixth Street Food Store in Lexington, NE, I have enjoyed working with a variety of products and amazing people. Working retail, I gained knowledge in many areas managing a successful produce department; relationships with customers, merchandizing and making my numbers. These were always important to my success. Moving to Colorado in 1985, I began working at River Front Farmers Market in Littleton as Marketing /Produce Manager. Organizing special event s and running the produce department, with a variety of produce items reaching up to 400 items daily, helped open another door for me to learn more about produce. I started working in the wholesale side of the industry; inside and outside sales arenas and have gained considerable knowledge and experience in the field. While working for Boulder Fruit Express, I developed a passion for the organic produce industries. Now at Grower’s Organic, I can share and continue broadening my horizons with my co-workers and customers. I look forward to discussing with you how my expertise could help you and your company prepare and deliver wholesome organic produce.

    What is Your Favorite Produce?
    Blueberries, raspberries and asparagus

    How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
    Away from work, I relax by spending time with my two daughters, family, friends, and my crazy dogs! My favorite hobbies are knitting, designing and sewing.

  • Warehouse

    • Andrew Hewitt
      Delivery Driver / Warehouse Worker
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      I lived in Phoenix for most of my life, but I lived for two years in both Saudi Arabia and Toronto.

      How Many Years Have You Been In The Industry?
      I’ve been in the industry almost 4 years; I worked on an organic farm in British Columbia for 8 months and then at an organic restaurant for 3 years.

      What is Your Background?
      I got my degree in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, and I spent a year teaching kindergarten.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Right now I am loving Rio-Star grapefruits and dates. During summer months, I love tomatoes and melons. I always love coconuts and macadamia nuts.

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      I snowboard as much as possible; practice yoga, raise plants, practice cooking and nutritional science, hike and spend time with friends and family.

    • Chris Krabbenhoeft
      Transportation Specialist
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      I was born in Germany, but moved with my parents to the U.S. when I was little.

      How Many Years Have You Been In The Industry?
      2 years

      What is Your Background?
      I have a degree in Physics

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Kumquats and grapples

    • Eric Bettis
      Delivery Driver / Warehouse Worker
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Temecula, located in Southern California’s “Inland Empire,” home of the “largest living oak tree.”

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      2 years

      What is Your Background?
      I was born on the east coast, raised in the southwest. I spent the summer of 2008 living and working on a small organic farm in San Marcos, CA. Now I’m a Denver transplant!

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      I love to make salsa and spaghetti sauces from heirloom tomatoes.

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      When I’m not crashing my bike or skateboarding, I’m in my garden or out watching freight trains. More than just a railroading enthusiast, I’ve zig-zagged the continent for five years investigating America the beautiful. See you out on the road!

    • Lee Berry
      Driver Supervisor / Delivery Driver
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Crystal Springs, MS

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      2 years

      What is Your Background?
      I grew up in Crystal Springs, but after Hurricane Katrina I moved to North Carolina, where I met my fiancee, Belle.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Mushrooms, French beans, and organic fruit

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      My fiancee and I moved to Colorado for the mountains! I live for climbing, music, skiing, fly fishing, and mountaineering in both winter and summer. Belle and I are really big music fans, and love going to live shows. We are also busy planning my wedding; next July 3, I will be married at Planet Blue Grass!

    • Marty Buckmaster
      Delivery Driver
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Denver, CO

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      1 year with Grower’s Organic, but I am one generation removed from farm and ranch life. There wasn’t anything but organic back then!

      What is Your Background?
      I spent over 22 years as a driver for UPS.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Frozen grapes

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      My latest project is Restoring my 1930 Model A Ford.

    • Mike Kruger
      Warehouse Supervisor
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Colorado Springs, CO

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      15 years

      What is Your Background?
      I have spent two years working for a co-op, 13 years in retail and just under a year in wholesale.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Cilantro, peaches, and all green goodness

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      I’m very active with my two kids, both high school athletes at Denver East. I’ve coached youth sports since 1982, including basketball and soccer in recent years.

    • Nick Bulson
      Delivery Driver/Warehouse Worker
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Whitehall, MI

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      1 year

      What is Your Background?
      In 2007, I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Science. I spent 1 years working for a printing and publishing company before relocating to Denver with my wife.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Bananas, bell peppers and avocados

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      I take advantage of Denver’s great weather by running, biking, snowboarding and taking my dog for hikes.

    • Daniel Graeve
      Warehouse Worker
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      Where Did You Grow Up?
      Westminster, CO

      How Many Years Have You Been in the Industry?
      1 year

      What is Your Background?
      I have a B.A. in political science and worked for an organic vegetable farm in Willamette Valley.

      What is Your Favorite Produce?
      Swiss Chard and peppers

      How Do You Spend Your Time Outside of Grower’s Organic?
      I love to be outdoors, listen to music, art, words, reading, being with friends and gardening.