Investment firm Grounded Capital recently welcomed Mike Denny to the organization as a Principal.
In his new role, Denny will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to lead the management of all farms and ranches currently in the portfolio, in addition to developing and implementing strategies to grow Grounded Capital’s agricultural holdings. His responsibilities include development of farm strategies, plans and budgets, oversight of farm managers, conducting in-depth research to inform investment decisions, as well as sourcing and analyzing potential investment opportunities through structured due diligence.
“Mike’s deep agricultural expertise and proven leadership made him the ideal candidate for this role,” said Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board David Turner. “His experience transitioning large-scale operations to more sustainable practices align perfectly with Grounded Capital’s mission.”
A key aspect of Denny’s role will involve collaborating with farm managers to support the transition towards more agroecological and regenerative farming practices. He will also serve as a vital liaison between farm managers and internal stakeholders, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with supply chain partners to optimize farm-to-market processes.
“With a history of building partnerships, driving profitability, and fostering sustainable practices, Mike possesses a unique combination of hands-on experience and strategic vision,” said Managing Director Carolyn Schubert. “He is a strong communicator with a proven record of developing teams and is known for driving results through collaboration and innovation.”
Bringing with him more than three decades of experience, Denny’s prior roles include Executive Vice President at California Olive Ranch and Chief Executive Officer at Gorrill Land Company. Most recently, he held the Vice President, Farm Operations role at Lundberg Family Farms.
“Mike’s 35-year track record in agribusiness is truly impressive,” said Managing Director Kimberly Bretz. “His experience in asset management, production, and financial management, coupled with his proven ability to scale organic operations, makes him an exceptional fit for Grounded Capital’s ambitious agricultural initiatives.”
As an SEC-registered investment advisor with approximately $2B in assets under management, Grounded Capital develops strategies to pursue ideas and solve problems through direct investments of private equity in operating companies, agriculture, forests, and real estate.
“We couldn’t believe that a candidate existed with Mike’s mix of experience and expertise, and knew that we had been introduced to the right person when we met him. We are grateful for how David Turner and the Kincannon & Reed team took the time to understand our goals, communicated throughout the process, and ultimately produced a slate of incredible candidates,” Stephen Hohenrieder, Founder and CEO, Grounded Capital.
