SEATTLE, U.S. – Theo Chocolate, the #1 organic chocolate bar in the natural and grocery channel, has welcomed Mark Rieland as their new Chief Financial Officer. Mark officially joined Theo Chocolate as Chief Financial Officer on December 9, 2019, and is committed to develop strategy, build financial infrastructure, and align resources to enable profitable growth in his new role. Mark has a unique capacity to understand business issues from multiple stakeholder perspectives and to bring consensus.
“I’m joining the Theo team because I can further support organic farming, fair trade and innovative food. I’m transitioning from the coffee industry to chocolate, from one bean to another,” says Mark. “I’m excited about the adventure this opportunity presents both professionally and personally.”
With both domestic and international experience in the consumer-packaged goods agribusiness and manufacturing, Mark has a strong background in finance and business development. He has served in various finance leadership roles including at General Mills as a Financial Analyst, Syngenta Seeds as the Global Controller in Switzerland, and Lenox Group as the Managing Director of Finance and Operations.
Most recently, Mark was based in Minneapolis where he was CFO/COO at Peace Coffee, LLC. In this role he helped shepherd in double digit growth, helped build infrastructure to significantly expand production and helped transition the business to new ownership.
Mark earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from the University of St. Thomas. He has served on several boards including Cooperative Coffees, the Minnesota Project and has volunteered with the National Ski Patrol for many years.
