DENVER – Jammin Java Corp., d/b/a Marley Coffee has established a Board of Advisors and appointed Michael Higgins and Anthony Schiano as the first two Advisory Board members, effective immediately.
The role of the Board of Advisors will be to provide strategic guidance, independent advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors of Marley Coffee on the organization, fundraising, plan of operations, proposed joint ventures and partnerships, governance, marketing and expansion of the Company and its products and services.
The Advisory Board will convene on a quarterly basis. As the Company grows, it plans to expand its Advisory Board with other leading industry executives.
Michael Higgins is the Co-CEO of Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc., the largest independent roaster in North America, which recently entered into a strategic investment transaction with Marley Coffee for a total of up to $8.25 million in funding.
Mr. Higgins received his seat on the Board of Advisors as a result of this transaction. He is one of the beverage industry’s most experienced sales and marketing executives.
He has worked in the family-owned company for more than 40 years, playing an instrumental role in building its owned brands, business partnerships and customer relationships in both foodservice and retail channels, as well as the private label tea and coffee brands of many of North America’s largest grocery and restaurant chains.
Mr. Higgins is a director of the Tea Council of Canada and a past president of the Tea & Coffee Association of Canada.
Anthony Schiano is the Principal at BSI (Business Solutions International), a consulting firm to retailers, equity capital managers and financial analysts.
He also serves as a Board member for Furmano’s, a food service company, and Clemens Family Corporation, DBA Hatfield Quality Meats et al. Mr. Schiano is an Advisory Board member for Four Seasons Produce and Board member for Burle Industries.
Mr. Schiano has more than 34 years of experience in the supermarket industry, having served as President/CEO for Giant Food Stores L.L.C. (a subsidiary of Royal Ahold N.V.), one of the leading supermarket chains in the U.S. with more than 260 locations in six states.
During Mr. Schiano’s tenure, Giant doubled its number of stores and nearly tripled its sales and operating earnings.
He received a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology from Boston College.
Mr. Higgins said, “Mother Parkers has made a significant investment in Marley Coffee because we believe in its strong potential for growth in the next few years. As a member of the Board of Advisors, I hope to help guide the Company toward that success.”
Mr. Schiano commented, “Over my decades of experience in the supermarket industry, I have come to appreciate the role of innovation and strong brand recognition as two major keys to success. I believe that Marley Coffee is excelling in both of these areas and am enthusiastic about guiding its future growth as an Advisory Board member.”
Brent Toevs, CEO of Marley Coffee, said, “Michael Higgins and Tony Schiano have vast experience in the food and beverage industry, and we are honored to have them serve as the inaugural members of our new Board of Advisors.
As the head of Mother Parkers, Michael has already demonstrated his faith in Marley Coffee via our strategic investment transaction, and we are glad to receive his guidance as an Advisory Board member.
Likewise, as we look to expand our presence in grocery stores across the U.S., an industry veteran like Tony will propel us to our next phase of growth over the coming years with his valuable insights.”
