RENTON, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evergreen Market, Washington’s premier cannabis retailer, has appointed former Russell Indexes veteran Shannon Vetto as its first Chief Executive Officer.
Since its launch in 2014, Evergreen Market has grown into a formidable cannabis retailer, offering customers high-quality products and a friendly, approachable experience. In addition to locations in Auburn, North Renton and South Renton, the company expanded to Bellevue and Kirkland in 2019, and plans to launch its first store in California in 2020.
After running day-to-day operations of the company together, founders Jeff Anderson, Eric Gaston and Arne Nelson hired Vetto as CEO as part of the company’s growth strategy.
“From the very inception of our industry, Evergreen Market has led under the core values of Educate, Celebrate, Elevate,” said Gaston. “We believe that our success is driven by our passion for connecting with our vendors, our people and our customers.
“We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished and recognize Shannon can be solely focused on taking us to the next level. She will also help protect the most important part of what makes us who we are – our culture. In hiring Shannon, an executive with nearly three decades of business experience, we are proud to recognize and empower a strong, accomplished woman to lead in an industry that is itself defined by acceptance, inclusion, and community.”
Vetto, who served as Evergreen Market’s chief strategy officer since 2017, has 28 years as an executive and business leader. In addition to seven years as a tax/audit CPA, she has 19 years of experience as an executive at Russell Indexes, where she built the company’s financial footprint around the world. Vetto brings an incredible corporate track record, though Evergreen Market would say more importantly she brings a natural gift of imparting wisdom, nurturing talent, and trusting the instincts of the people that surround her.
“The success of Evergreen Market is founded on the passion and knowledge of our employees,” Vetto said. “As CEO, my No. 1 focus will be to preserve and promote our culture as we grow, and to ensure our customers have access to outstanding products and a consistent, superior experience.”
About Evergreen Market
Evergreen Market was founded in 2014 by Jeff Anderson, Eric Gaston and Arne Nelson, with a shared vision of creating a retail space where newbies and enthusiasts alike could shop for the very best cannabis in an environment that fosters learning, exploration, and joy. Washington cannabis has always been among the best in the world, and Evergreen Market exists as a showcase for the growers and producers who have made their love and passion for cannabis their life’s work. Evergreen Market takes every opportunity to make cannabis friendly and approachable. Evergreen Market was ranked #621 on the 2019 Inc. 5000, they have been recognized by Architectural Digest for their dispensary design, winner of Best of Western Washington’s best dispensary two years in a row and won against the Seahawks for Renton’s Business Excellence award.
Headquartered in Renton, Wash., Evergreen Market operates stores in Auburn, North Renton, South Renton, Bellevue, and Kirkland.