Wholesome Wave Georgia, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2023 Board of Directors Executive Committee and to welcome its newest board member, Lawton Bloom. 

Wholesome Wave Georgia Executive Director Will Sellers says, “We are honored to have a dynamic group of board officers and a new board member that will provide the strategic advice and guidance needed to accelerate and expand our nonprofit’s work to make fresh, healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables available and affordable for all Georgians in need. Their experience, hard-earned success, and willingness to engage in nonprofit board service is Wholesome Wave Georgia’s good fortune. With this leadership team, Wholesome Wave Georgia is well-positioned to achieve greater impact in 2023 and beyond.”

James Irungu, Chair | Board Member since 2020

James is the CEO and founder of CBS & PM (Capital Billing Services), a healthcare management company located in Atlanta that specializes in revenue cycle management and credentialing for healthcare providers. CBS & PM’s main goal is to provide tools and solutions to healthcare providers so they can offer affordable healthcare services to patients.  James is a member of Vistage and is also a member of The Southern Foodways Alliance. James was born in Kenya and lives in Atlanta with his wife and son.

Sarah Pierre, Vice Chair | Board Member since 2020

Sarah Pierre, owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta since 2013, is noted for her extensive pedigree in the hospitality industry. Prior to opening 3 Parks Wine, she spent most of her career working and managing notable restaurants in Atlanta and New York City. Sarah hand selects all wines offered at 3 Parks Wine Shop and also assists with pairing wines for local events and dinners throughout Atlanta. Sarah has received coverage in print and broadcast media such as CNN, Thrillist, Eater Atlanta, Garden & Gun, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Vinepair, Kitchn and many more. She is also the wine columnist for Atlanta Intown Paper and Drinks52. 

Ashley Smith is a noteworthy finance and operations leader currently living and working in Atlanta. Her areas of focus are developing financial systems and strategy, operational effectiveness, organizational culture and project management. Recently, she accepted a new role as Financial Steward with The Ready, a leading international organizational design and work transformation consulting firm. She has previously worked with Bank of America, Atlanta Ballet, Wholesome Wave Georgia, Public Broadcasting Atlanta and The Recycling Partnership. In addition to these roles, Ashley has consulted with start-up nonprofits to help develop their fiscal and operational strategies. Infused with drive, passion and commitment, Ashley strives to create equitable communities, challenge the status quo and empower the under-dogs of the world. 

David Yankey, Secretary | Board Member since 2019

David Yankey serves as an Associate for InLight Real Estate Partners, LLC, an industrial development firm based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. David works to support all aspects of acquiring development opportunities along with acquisitions and dispositions of stabilized assets throughout the Atlanta market and the Southeast. Prior to joining the firm, David served as Senior Director at Carter & Associates, a privately-held real estate development, investment and advisory firm based in Atlanta. During his time at Carter, David was responsible for pursuing ground-up multifamily development opportunities across the Southeast. David’s responsibilities included sourcing, underwriting and due diligence of multifamily projects representing an average investment between $45-$60+MM. David was also responsible for various asset management roles, including overseeing the leasing of 1MM square feet of adaptive reuse development. David received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University where he majored in science, technology and society. He was also a member of the football team and served as team captain. After school, David was selected in the NFL Draft and played for the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers for four years. David lives in Atlanta with his wife, Alex. 

Lawton Bloom, New Board Member | Board Member since 2023

Lawton Bloom is a Senior Managing Director and Principal of Argus Management Corporation, a firm that specializes in financial advisory and interim management services. Since joining Argus in 1999, he has provided interim executive or financial advisory services to over 90 companies across a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, distribution, construction, e-commerce, media, food service and telecom. Lawton holds an AB from Princeton University and an MPA from Cornell University. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters.

The remainder of the 2023 Wholesome Wave Georgia Board of Directors includes Kristie Abney of Full Plate Real Estate; Ed Seiber of Seiber Design, Inc.; Ben Tompkins of MWT Windows; Josh Berman of Jackson Healthcare; Peter Dale of Maepole, Condor Chocolates, The National and Seabear Oyster Bar; Mallory deGolian, Culinary Producer and Food Stylist; Yvonne Druyeh Dodd, Consultant and Life Coach; Elizabeth Jump, Health and Life Coach; Tony Riffel of Elevator Factory and Pancake Social; and Chris Willett of Janney Montgomery Scott.