Rhode Island Grows, the leader in Controlled Environment Agriculture in Rhode Island, today announced Jim Haught is joining  the company as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 7, 2022.

In this role, Haught will oversee all aspects of the operations and management of the firm. Haught brings 20 years of experience in management, operations, technology, risk and capital management to his new position. Prior to joining Rhode Island Grows, Haught was the president and chief operating officer for Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation.

“Jim Haught is a seasoned leader and technology executive, who is a terrific fit for Rhode Island Grows,” said Tim Schartner, founder, Rhode Island Grows. “As we build and operate our tomato greenhouses, Jim’s leadership and experience will greatly facilitate our roll out.”

Previously, Haught was managing partner for Financial Services at New York-based Exequor Group and earlier was the senior vice president/global head of capital for State Street Corporation. He began his banking career at Citizens Financial Group with assignments in London, Boston and Providence covering lending, modeling, and capital planning.

“The opportunity to dramatically improve food security and availability aligns with my passion to be ‘of service’ to our community,” said Haught. “Running a top-quality facility with over 80 year-round agricultural jobs will anchor produce production as a competitive advantage in Rhode Island.”

Prior to entering banking, he spent eight years as a United States Naval Officer. Haught, who holds designations as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM), graduated from the University of Rochester and earned an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

About Rhode Island Grows

Founded in 2017, Rhode Island Grows is an advanced controlled environment vegetable produce company with headquarters in Exeter, Rhode Island. We are under construction with a 25-acre greenhouse to hydroponically grow tomatoes for grocery stores in the Northeastern United States. Preserving vegetable farming as an economically viable activity in Rhode Island through the application of technology and organic practices to traditional agricultural areas. Farmers, workers, and communities working to make farming perform well in Rhode Island.