Michael Besancon

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Biographical Information

"Michael Besancon is the former Senior Global Vice President of Purchasing, Distribution, & Communications for Whole Foods Market. As an entrepreneur and environmental advocate, he has spent most of his career in the business of providing natural and organic foods to a population craving a healthier lifestyle. In 1970 he built, owned and operated Follow Your Heart Natural Foods in Canoga Park, CA. At that time it was the largest natural food store on the West Coast. The line of vegan products he developed back then is still sold in natural food stores throughout the nation. In 1990 he established a food brokerage firm, representing vendors throughout the U.S. In 1994, Michael joined Whole Foods Market as Director of Purchasing in the Southern Pacific Region and was promoted to Regional Vice President two years later.

"In 1998 he became President of Whole Foods Market's Mid Atlantic Region and in 2001 President of the Southern Pacific Region. He has held the newly created position of Senior Global Vice President of Purchasing, Distribution and Marketing for the Company since October 2008 until retiring in March 2012. He has chaired Whole Foods Market's National Green Mission Task Force and helped the Company lead the charge for environmentally sustainable practices which range from promoting sustainable agriculture and creating farm animal treatment standards to store recycling and composting programs.

"Michael has also been director of the Company's Animal Compassion Foundation (which became the Global Animal Partnership) and is currently on the board for the Whole Planet Foundation."

Affiliations

• Trustee (2011), EARTH University
• Advisory Board, Conscious Leadership Connection