Kemper Isely vs Forrest Hoffmaster

Kemper Isely

CEO of Natural Grocers

BIO: Mr. Kemper Isely has been the Co-President and Director of Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage, Inc. since 1998. Mr. Isely serves as the Chairman of the Board at Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage, Inc. and Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. He joined Natural Grocers in 1977 and served as Store Manager, Warehouse Manager, Director of Marketing, Director of Purchasing, Director of Operations and Director of Finance.

Forrest Hoffmaster

CEO of New Seasons Market

BIO: As our chief executive officer, Forrest is dedicated to helping our staff, their teams, and our company grow in a balanced, sustainable, and socially responsible way. His passion to foster a thriving local food economy extends through a commitment to support the mission-based organizations with whom New Seasons and New Leaf do business, and reflects his strong belief that we each have the gifts and power to create positive change in the world one community at a time. Forrest brings more than 25 years of finance and accounting experience to his role. Nineteen of those years were in grocery retail, beginning with Texas-based Central Market-HEB, where he first trained in operations, and Whole Foods Market. Forrest joined New Seasons Market as CFO in 2016 leading finance, accounting and technology, focused on driving value through strategic planning and organizational alignment. He became co-president in January 2018, overseeing business development, real estate, finance, technology and data, before assuming the role of chief executive officer in January 2019. Forrest is a leader, mentor, and teacher on business as a force for good, conscious leadership, and connecting personal purpose to the work we choose. When he’s not working, you’ll find him travelling, visiting his two older daughters, camping, or writing. His favorite thing to eat is anything served with passion and a good story shared with friends.