Our Team
Experienced International C-Suite:
Chris Bolton, B.A.(Hons.), LL.B.
Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive OfficerMr. Bolton is Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Beyond Farming (CSE:BYFM). Mr. Bolton has over 30 years of global experience in agricultural science and laboratory operations, manufacturing, quality control, software development, vertical urban farming regulatory compliance, greenhouse gas offset creation and registration, business development and professional consulting. Mr. Bolton holds a Degree in Law (LLB) and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours B.A.(Hons.) degree. Mr. Bolton was the CEO of Benchmark Laboratories Group Ltd, an Operational Director of GE Capital IT Solutions, COO of International Productivity Solutions Inc., CEO of the Siberian Business Development Corporation, CEO of FlashPoint Components Ltd. FlashPoint Innovations Ltd., and Partner of Civil and Criminal litigation at Helgeson, McDonald, Bolton. Mr. Bolton has direct experience with implementation of Frameworks (ISO 31000, 17025, 9001, EU GMP, Kaizen, Six Sigma), namely to meet requirements for Quality Assurance Audits.
Pedro Silva, M.Sc. Economics, CPA
Chief Financial OfficerMr. Silva is the Chief Financial Officer of Beyond Farming (CSE: BYFM). He has over 25 years of global experience as a financial operations officer, controller, director, or CFO of multinational companies, including starting operations from scratch in new locations. Mr. Silva is trained and experienced in IFRS, as well as S1 and S2 environmental accounting standards. He holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Nova SBE and a Postgraduate degree in Financial Markets, IFRS, and Taxation from ISCTE. He is also certified in ESG/Sustainability (GRI – EFFAS) and Data Science (MIT). Mr. Silva has served as CFO for various international companies, including, but not limited to, PZ Cussons and Pepsi Africa. He has held positions as Finance Head and Consolidation & Tax Advisor to Shree Digvijay Cement Co. Ltd. and CIMPOR Group. Mr. Silva has direct experience with the implementation of ERP/BI systems and frameworks such as ISO 9001, SOX 404, IFRS, Kaizen, and Six Sigma, particularly in relation to meeting requirements for credit lines and IPOs
Ricardo Ferrer, MBA, B.Sc. (Mech. Eng.)
Chief Operating OfficerMr. Ferrer has 25 years international experience managing complex industrial manufacturing & operations, managing production through to maintenance, skilled at organizing and optimizing multi-natural workforce.
Mr. Ferrer holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) Mechanical Engineering (Summa cum laude) Degree, and an Executive MBA, Manage degree. Mr. Ferrer's experience and expertise ranges from new product development, supply chain creation, product marketing and sales. Notably, Mr. Ferrer held senior management positions within the Ford Motor Company, Hyundia and Mitsubishi, and General Motors.
Mr. Ferrer holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) Mechanical Engineering (Summa cum laude) Degree, and an Executive MBA, Manage degree. Mr. Ferrer's experience and expertise ranges from new product development, supply chain creation, product marketing and sales. Notably, Mr. Ferrer held senior management positions within the Ford Motor Company, Hyundia and Mitsubishi, and General Motors.
Shawn Kelly, B.Sc. (Bio-Chem)
Chief Revenue OfficerShawn Kelly has 32 years experience as an accomplished veteran sales person with expertise in complex medical and healthcare solutions and product sales, support, and vertical channel development.
Mr. Kelly holds a BSc. (Adv.), Biology & Environmental Science Degree. Mr. Kelly’s demonstrated 32 years of experience at Servier Canada Inc. leading their national sales, and North American sales support team selling complex, and highly regulated cardiovascular, internal medicine, nephrology, and family medicine products, has well prepared him for the sale of pure produce products.
Mr. Kelly holds a BSc. (Adv.), Biology & Environmental Science Degree. Mr. Kelly’s demonstrated 32 years of experience at Servier Canada Inc. leading their national sales, and North American sales support team selling complex, and highly regulated cardiovascular, internal medicine, nephrology, and family medicine products, has well prepared him for the sale of pure produce products.
Our Team
Experienced International Directors
Doug Connel
Director, Audit-SubcommitteeMr. Connell is a senior executive with over 40 years experience and a solid track record in international business expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance and governance, working with companies in the technology, real estate, consumer business and manufacturing industries. As both an executive and an advisor, he has played a key role in planning, negotiating and implementing major acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments and financing transactions. Mr. Connell was a senior international tax partner with Deloitte where he advised clients from Fortune 100 companies to family offices on strategies for international growth and expansion, M&A and financings, including public offerings. As a Deloitte partner he held leadership roles in New York, Toronto, Ottawa and Barbados. More recently, Mr. Connell served as global head of tax with Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), a retail and real estate multinational, where he worked closely with the CEO, CFO and the Board of Directors on key business strategies and opportunities in Europe, North America and India. Mr. Connell is both a CPA and a lawyer (called to the Bar of Ontario) and has served on the boards of several private companies in Europe and North America, as well as organizations involved in the performing arts.
Kevin Delano
DirectorMr. Delano, holds a B.Com in Marketing and Management, and has founded / co-founded a number of businesses over the past 30 years. Mr. Delano has a successful track record as CEO, having started and led many companies across a variety of industries, with revenues ranging from $2 million up to $90 million with employees up to 400. Mr. Delano has expertise in innovation, strategy, corporate structure, leadership and operations, with strong market know-how in sales & marketing. Notable companies include Karma Casting Inc, Airntell Aerospace Inc., and IMD Health Global Corp (TSXV:DOC).
Brian Nolan
Director, Audit-SubcommitteeMr. Nolan has over 25 years international experience with international federal border control requirements, and highly regulated product environments. Mr. Nolan has worked within the Government of Canada, as a Senior Program Officer at the Canadian Border Services Agency. In addition, Mr. Nolan has held positions as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for AgriCure Inc. a Canadian based pharmaceutical quality products company, and president of Nudawn Growth Inc., an international pharmaceutical quality products company with operations in North America and Europe.
Johnny Aswani
Director, Audit-SubcommitteeMr. Aswani is a supermarkets, real estate development, import and export business leader with over 35 years of experience and a proven track record in international corporate development. Mr. Aswani specializes in guiding companies through inflection points of growth & expansion, process design & productivity improvement, contract negotiations and strategic alliances, corporate & investment finance, systems & technology utilization. Mr. Aswani has held senior Controller positions within notable international companies such as ADM Americas, Dell, and one of Latin America's largest grocery store chains, Grupo Rey.
Our Team
Experienced International Administrative Office
Calie-Anne Bolton
Director, Corporate SecretaryMs. Bolton has over 6 years international experience as corporate secretary for companies both in Canada, and in Panama, since 2017. Ms. Bolton has also sat on the Board of Directors for TheraCann International, TheraCann International Benchmark Corp, TheraCann Canada Inc., One System One Solution S.A., ETCH Biotrace S.A., and Sprout AI S.A., as well as other companies unrelated to either TheraCann International or Sprout AI. Ms. Bolton is currently completing her degree in Bachelor of Business Administration.
Kathia Jimenez
Controller and ComplianceMs. Jimenez has over 22 years experience in accounting and auditing, and has worked within a variety of different sectors including the agriculture technology sector. She has previous experience working for Productos Maribel, and Grupo Agro Nacional. Ms. Martinez has a degree in Administration and Business Management the University del Istmo, Panama.
Maruquel Martínez
Administration and Human ResourcesMs. Martinez has over 13 years experience in general administration, and has worked within highly regulated industries including the banking sector. She has previous experience working for Banco Banistmo, Metrobank, and Caja de Ahorros. Ms. Martinez has a degree in Financing & Banking from the University of Panama, and a Degree in Administration from the Latin University of Panama.
Colleen McKay
Investor RelationsMs. McKay has over 15 years experience in marketing, communications, and registered investment services. Previous work includes director of communications with Great Northern Brands, and Sprout AI S.A.