Cheriene Griffith of Chevoo wins Women in Business Award

Cheriene Griffith

Operations manager

Chevoo Inc.

140 Grove Court, Suite A, Healdsburg, 95448

707.931.4400

www.chevoo.com

Notable Quote: “The work life balance is very challenging for those of us who choose to be a professional while raising a family. I overcome this by leveraging my friends and family to assist with raising my daughter, for I truly feel that ‘it takes a village.' ”

Professional background: Lieutenant Junior Grade – United States Navy – Surface Warfare Officer; Quality Supervisor – Smuckers, Crystal Geyser, La Tortilla Factory

Education: Bachelor of Arts in general science, United States Naval Academy; Currently enrolled in Sonoma State University Executive Master's of Business Administration program.

Staff: 7

Tell us about yourself and your company: I was hired as the Operations Manager for CHEVOO, Inc. shortly after the company was launched by Gerard and Susan Tuck in 2015. CHEVOO is a start-up food company which manufactures marinated goat cheese and has evolved rapidly over the past two years. Originally, CHEVOO was created in Oregon and my role was to oversee production aspects. In early 2016, the company decided to cease operations in Oregon and transition to Sonoma County. I advised the CEO to build a facility in Healdsburg, which would consolidate all facets of production and operations; the facility was completed in October of 2016 and will soon be co-packaging products for other companies in need of increased production capacity

Is there a major accomplishment in the past year or so that you would like to share?

My Quality Assurance background led CHEVOO to earning our (Safe Quality Food) SQF Level 3 Certification with a score of excellent, the highest level certification possible. This is an important milestone, because it puts CHEVOO at the ‘gold standard' amongst food producers in the US; it is the highest standard that any retailer could expect, and is maintained by businesses such as Whole Foods, Costco, Kroger, and Safeway. Our co-packing clients could not ask for more; and most importantly, it means that we are doing everything in our power to produce only the safest and highest quality food for human consumption. Many companies will take a number of years to slowly and carefully ascend the three levels, yet CHEVOO achieved this four months after the plant's opening.

Any community involvement?

Food Industry Group – Quality Subcommittee Chairwoman

Leadership Santa Rosa Class XXXII

Santa Rosa Metro Chamber Young Professional Network – board member

United States Naval Academy San Francisco Bay Area Chapter – Board Member-Secretary

What is the achievement you are most proud of?

Transitioning CHEVOO's food production from Oregon to the newly constructed food facility in Sonoma County was an incredible accomplishment for us to achieve. I played a key role in the buildout and launch; the timeline was very ambitious as construction timelines and schedules are often delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Watching our first production line of CHEVOO jars was a very proud day and a culmination of the entire company's efforts.

What is your biggest challenge today?

We are in the process of streamlining our processes while simultaneously bringing on new clients with the new challenges they present.

Words that best describe you: Bold, driven, dedicated, and resourceful

As a successful female professional, what were the biggest obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?

The work life balance is very challenging for those of us who choose to be a professional while raising a family. I overcome this by leveraging my friends and family to assist with raising my daughter, for I truly feel that ‘it takes a village.'

How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?

The food industry will begin to see more automation and there will be a corresponding shift towards paperless record keeping and documentation via technology and information systems to make audits easier and less stressing.

Who was your most important mentor? And tell us a little bit about that person:

Sally Srok - president, direct to consumer of Francis Ford Coppola Winery. She is an incredible woman who has broken the glass ceiling in her field and inspires other women through her example to be consummate professionals without losing our personal identities. Personally, she has also taught me that the work-life balance is possible, so that I can be both a working professional and the best mother possible to my daughter

What advice would you give to a young woman entering your profession or the work world today?

As a professional, it is unrealistic to expect everything to be perfect at all times. Failures are a very important part of becoming successful and should be viewed as learning opportunities. Accept every challenge, opportunity for growth and improvement, and learn from each one to make you more capable for the next trial you will inevitably face. Bottom line: Do not be afraid to get uncomfortable. Growth rarely happens within your comfort zone.

Most admired businessperson outside your organization: Elon Musk

Typical day at the office: The challenges faced in a start-up do not allow for a “typical day.”

Best place to work outside of your office: On the beach with my daughter and Wi-Fi to enable me to access every resource I need to accomplish

Current reading:” A Man on the Moon – The Voyage of the Apollo Astronauts,” by Andrew Chaikin.

Most want to meet: Jane Goodall

Social media you most use: Facebook

Stress relievers: Picnics with my daughter and chihuahua, hot yoga, full moon hiking, going to the beach

Favorite hobbies: Camping, SCUBA, amateur astronomy.

Cheriene Griffith

Operations manager

Chevoo Inc.

140 Grove Court, Suite A, Healdsburg, 95448

707.931.4400

www.chevoo.com

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