
MABTON, Wash. – January 28, 2025 – Qualterra, a leader in sustainable agriculture technology solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of John Erb as Strategic Advisor and Interim General Manager of its newly acquired next-generation greenhouse campus in Mabton, Washington. With an extensive background in agriculture and food systems, John brings a wealth of leadership experience that will guide the company through this critical growth phase.
John joins Qualterra after serving as President and COO of Roy Farms, where he oversaw diverse operations in hops, blueberries, and apples, driving innovation and operational excellence. He has also held senior leadership roles at Driscoll’s, where he led impactful sustainability initiatives and operations across North and South America, and at Bejo Sementes do Brasil, where he spearheaded market expansions and achieved profitability ahead of schedule. His expertise spans strategic planning, production agriculture, sustainability, and team development.
During his tenure, one of John’s key priorities will be leading the search and hiring process for Qualterra’s permanent General Manager, who will assume the position after six months. Following this transition, John will continue to support Qualterra in an ongoing capacity as a Strategic Advisor, lending his expertise to guide the company’s long-term strategy and growth.
Mike Werner, CEO of Qualterra, expressed his enthusiasm for John’s appointment and the value he brings to the organization: “John’s deep experience in agriculture, coupled with his track record of driving operational success and innovation, makes him the perfect leader to guide our Mabton campus during this pivotal time. His leadership will help ensure a smooth transition and lay a strong foundation as we build the leadership team at the greenhouse. John will also work closely with our executive team on strategic initiatives to help support our customers and stakeholders.
The acquisition of the Mabton campus, supported by a strategic investment from Cowles Company, marks a transformative step for Qualterra. The state-of-the-art facility is poised to drive advancements in sustainable agriculture, expanding production capabilities while maintaining a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. John’s interim leadership will ensure the campus operates at its full potential as the company scales its operations and delivers innovative solutions to its customers.
“It’s an honor to join Qualterra at such an exciting time,” said John Erb. “The Mabton greenhouse campus represents incredible potential for innovation and growth in sustainable agriculture. I look forward to collaborating with the team to not only advance our immediate objectives but also identify and onboard a permanent General Manager who will lead this campus into its next chapter.”
John’s expertise in P&L management, crop investments, labor relations, and sustainability aligns seamlessly with Qualterra’s vision of delivering impactful technology solutions for sustainable agriculture while balancing economic productivity with environmental responsibility.
About Qualterra:
Qualterra is committed to delivering innovations for agriculture and sustainability. Qualterra’s platform of commercialized technologies follow a plant life cycle from molecular plant testing and breeding support to propagation and nursery products through biomass waste processing and biochar production. Qualterra, headquartered in Washington State, USA, has three commercial facilities located in the main agricultural production area of the state. Learn more about Qualterra at: www.qualterraag.com.