Theresa Marquez: Chief Marketing Executive

Theresa Marquez has been involved in food and farming since the mid 1970s. After wearing a variety of hats throughout the past 30 years, her current job is Chief Marketing Executive for the largest organic farmers cooperative in the United States, CROPP Cooperative, and its brand, Organic Valley Family of Farms®. Marquez joined the Cooperative in 1995 and has helped to grow the business from $5 million to $209 million in 2004.

Marquez serves on the Organic Trade Association (OTA) Board of Directors and as the President of The Organic Center for Promotion & Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to proving the benefits of organics. She has also served on the Oregon Tilth Certification Advisory Board. Marquez has been a guest speaker at numerous events and conferences, including Natural Products Expo, National Nutritional Foods Association, American Marketing Association, Organic Trade Association, Food Marketing Institute, and WKKF Foundation. In addition, she pioneered the Food Alliance eco label.

"As a marketer, I truly enjoy being a catalyst to bring people closer to food, farming and the environment. Besides the obvious benefits of taste and beauty, it is a joy to work and create together for a common goal."