Chairman JD Douthitt commented that “Mr. Rynning is a hands-on guy who has the experience and exceptional credentials in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the coffee and franchise sector, that I am sure will greatly benefit the future growth of GWDC. I welcome Mr. Rynning as a director and will work very closely with him as we embrace the challenges of turning around GWDC.”
Mick Rynning said “I have been aware of Growers Direct Coffee Company for some time and have admired their business model and top-shelf product offerings. I very much look forward to working with the Board of Directors to assess the overall state, structure and organization of GWDC, and to formulate a new strategic roadmap for our success. While shareholder value is fundamentally important, my focus will be on the drivers, key performance indicators, and relationships that will lead to increased value for our shareholders, business partners, and customers, alike. We will keep our shareholders informed as we move forward.”
Mr. Rynning holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma, 1983, as well as Certificate, Management 2000 Franchise Business School, Houston, Texas, 2001. His past and current affiliations include: Executive Board Member, Fast Casual Magazine Executive Alliance, Speaker/Educational Panel Member, National Restaurant Association, International Franchise Association, National Coffee Association USA, Specialty Coffee Association of America.
Mr. Rynning is a result-oriented business executive with wealth of experience in senior management positions and proven achievements in companies ranging from new regional and national start-ups to multi billion dollar International franchise operations. Drawing on his diverse experience of management and operations, Mr. Rynning is uniquely poised to take GWDC to an improved future.
Mr. Rynning was recently the President of Ellianos Coffee Company based in Lake City, Florida. Previously, Mr. Rynning served as a Director of International Business Development for Church’s Chicken based in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Rynning’s other business and franchise experience includes working as both the National Franchise Manager and Georgia District Operations Manager for OneSource Franchise Systems of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Rynning has also worked as the Manager of International Franchise Administration for Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises, Inc., and working with the CEOs of AFC’s four subsidiary brands (Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken, Cinnabon, and Seattle's Best Coffee).
For more information about our coffee products, visit our website at www.growersdirectcoffee.com Our wholly owned subsidiary, Uncommon Grounds Inc., established in 1984, is a coffee roasting and wholesale company based in Berkeley, California. Visit the website at www.uncommongrounds.net to purchase artisan roasted blends and single origin coffee beans from Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Sumatra, Columbia, Brazil and Nicaragua.
Except for the historical matters contained herein, statements in this press release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may affect the Company's current and future business and prospects. Actual results could differ materially, as a result of various risk factors including but not limited to: (1) competition in the markets for the Company's coffee; (2) the ability of the Company to execute its business plan; and (3) other factors detailed in the Company's public filings with the SEC. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company can give no assurances that transactions described in this press release will be successfully completed, and undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this press release. This release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and our other filings with the SEC through the date of this release, which identifies important factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this release. In addition, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements include, without limitation, overall economic conditions, and other risks associated generally with the green bean coffee business. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
Corporate Enquiries
Robert Barker, 510-204-9424 (8am to 3pm PST)