In a strategic move that signals its deepening commitment to scaling innovation, operations, and talent, Cox Farms—the largest indoor agriculture operator in North America—has announced the appointment of three key executives to its leadership team. This expansion reflects the company’s broader ambition: to lead the next wave of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) through advanced technology, commercial excellence, and a purpose-driven workforce.

A Legacy of Scalable Sustainability

With more than 700 acres of greenhouse space, 2,500 employees, and an annual output exceeding 450 million pounds of fresh produce, Cox Farms—through its brands BrightFarms and Mucci Farms—has been instrumental in reshaping how leafy greens, tomatoes, and other vegetables are grown and delivered across the U.S. and Canada. Leveraging closed-loop greenhouse systems and regionally distributed farms, the company has significantly reduced food miles, water usage, and dependency on traditional open-field agriculture.

New Appointments: A Strategic Shift Toward Future-Readiness

To support its next phase of growth, Cox Farms is bolstering its C-suite with leaders who bring specialized experience across digital transformation, commercial scaling, and organizational development.

Chris Meyerpeter – Chief Technology Officer

Joining from Ardent Mills, where he served as Chief Information Officer, Chris Meyerpeter has been instrumental in deploying enterprise-wide digital systems in highly regulated and operationally complex environments. At Cox Farms, Meyerpeter will spearhead the integration of AI-enabled greenhouse management systems, IoT-powered monitoring solutions, and predictive analytics to maximize yields, reduce inputs, and enhance traceability.

His role is not just about deploying technology—it’s about embedding data-driven decision-making at the heart of farming operations. This will allow Cox Farms to respond in real time to variables like humidity, light levels, plant growth cycles, and supply chain fluctuations.

Abby Prior – Chief Commercial Officer

An experienced commercial strategist, Abby Prior is stepping into the CCO role after leading national retail expansion at BrightFarms. Her track record includes developing retailer partnerships, shaping brand narratives, and aligning marketing efforts across channels to drive both demand and trust.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Prior will oversee customer experience, product positioning, and market strategy across all Cox Farms brands. She will play a critical role in unifying how the company interacts with retail buyers, end-consumers, and foodservice players—ensuring that greenhouse-grown produce is not only accessible but also synonymous with freshness, transparency, and quality.

Tina May – Acting Chief People Officer

In a time when talent defines trajectory, Tina May brings more than two decades of human capital leadership from Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Farms. With deep expertise in organizational development, workforce strategy, and DEI implementation, May will help foster a high-performance culture that prioritizes employee well-being, innovation, and long-term career growth.

As Acting Chief People Officer, her work will focus on leadership development, succession planning, recruitment in ag-tech roles, and embedding shared values across geographically dispersed teams.

Why This Matters

Cox Farms’ decision to expand its leadership at this stage is both timely and symbolic. The indoor agriculture industry is rapidly evolving from experimental and boutique-scale operations to industrial-scale production that must meet mainstream food system needs.

This shift requires companies like Cox Farms to be more than growers—they must become integrated ecosystems where technology, biology, consumer trends, and sustainability are balanced at scale. The three executives are expected to bring a unique mix of industry acumen and fresh perspective, helping the organization bridge operational scale with innovation agility.

A Message from Leadership

Steve Bradley, President of Cox Farms, shared:
“These leaders bring the right blend of experience, expertise, and vision to help us shape the future of agriculture. Their arrival comes at a pivotal moment as we scale our operations and double down on our mission to deliver clean, sustainable food to millions of households.”

The Road Ahead

With these new leaders in place, Cox Farms is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory—expanding into new markets, accelerating greenhouse builds, and investing in technologies that push the boundaries of yield efficiency, climate adaptation, and year-round freshness.

As food systems worldwide face increasing pressure from climate change, water scarcity, and shifting consumer preferences, the indoor agriculture model that Cox Farms represents is no longer niche—it is essential. And with a reinforced leadership team at the helm, the company is making it clear: it’s not just growing food, it’s growing the future.