Footprint Announces Leadership and Board of Directors Update

GILBERT, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Footprint, a global materials science and technology company focused on creating a healthy planet, is excited to announce changes to its leadership team and Board of Directors, setting the stage for continued growth and advancing the company’s position as a leader in sustainability by eliminating single-use plastics.

Don Thompson will assume the newly established role of Executive Chairman of the Board. The other members of the Board of Directors are:

• Manu Bettegowda, Managing Partner at Olympus Partners
• Stefan Kirsten, Chief Financial Officer, Co-Founder at Monarch
• Hilla Sferruzza, Chief Financial Officer, Executive VP at Meritage Homes Corporation

After serving as Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO for the past six months, Corey Berends has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer. With a deep commitment to Footprint’s mission of fostering a healthier planet and population, Corey will lead the company’s strategic vision and drive its business objectives.

Yoke Chung, Co-Founder and Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, will continue to lead research & development as well as the development of innovative material sciences solutions.

Footprint also announces the promotion of Steve Burdumy to Chief Business Officer and General Counsel. In this dual capacity, Steve will continue to lead all legal functions and will now oversee targeted strategic business development initiatives.

Earlier this year, Mark Pedro assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer at Footprint. Mark is an experienced financial leader with extensive knowledge of manufacturing and consumer products. Prior to joining Footprint, Mark held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Ball Metalpack, a private equity-sponsored manufacturer of tinplate steel cans.

Todd Landis will continue to serve as Chief People Officer and lead the global human resource administration and talent development.

“These leadership changes underline Footprint’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable solutions that create a healthier planet and society,” said Don Thompson, Executive Chairman of the Board. “Footprint’s innovative technology, combined with the collective expertise of its leadership team, will drive the company’s mission forward, ultimately leaving a positive and lasting imprint on the world.”

About Footprint

Footprint is a global materials science and technology company with a clear vision to create a healthier planet and healthier people. Our mission is to provide solutions to eliminate single-use plastics in our food chain. Footprint’s engineers use plant-based fiber technology to design, develop, and manufacture bio-based products. Footprint is rapidly expanding into new categories with customized and patented solutions for customers. While working with leading global consumer brands, Footprint’s products have already led to a worldwide redirection of millions of pounds of plastic waste from entering the environment.

Footprint was founded in 2014 by co-founders Troy Swope and Yoke Chung. Today, the company employs about 2,000 employees with operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Footprint was named to Fast Company’s “Brands that Matter” list in 2022, CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” list in 2021, and Fortune’s “Change the World” list in 2020.

For more information on Footprint’s sustainable solutions, visit www.footprintus.com.