Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at F3 Innovate Fresno, CA

Position Overview

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) job at F3 Innovate, Fresno, CA. We are actively seeking a visionary, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as the founding CEO of F3 Innovate. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in shaping and building the organization from the ground up, setting the strategic direction, and establishing the systems and relationships that will drive both short- and long-term success. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader to significantly impact the economic vitality of the Central Valley and advance climate-smart agrifood technology, entrepreneurship, and engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead F3 Innovate by building on the vision, mission, values, and strategic direction established through the founding grant agreements.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to set and deliver ambitious organizational goals and strategies for effective program implementation and long-term impact.
• Build and lead a growing team of mission-driven professionals to execute strategic initiatives.
• Establish and set up a new facility for the F3 Innovate office.
• Oversee the completion of grant deliverables during the first 1.5 years, including developing an innovation and commercialization program, promoting industry leadership, coordinating talent pipelines, and mentoring innovators.
• Lead efforts to activate networks that advance, commercialize, and accelerate a portfolio of innovative agriculture and food systems applications across the Central Valley.
• Develop a sustainable funding model in partnership with the leadership team and board, incorporating industry membership, conferences, events, and contract R&D services.
• Ensure robust financial management and recordkeeping systems are in place, managing public grant funds and private sector contributions with sound fiscal accountability.
• Establish a network of private sector investment partners to help facilitate over $250M in non-public sector capital investment over the next four years.
• Cultivate relationships with public and private donors, sponsors, and funding organizations in the agrifood tech and engineering sector.
• Foster partnerships across diverse stakeholders—farmers, academic institutions, private investment firms, manufacturers, community organizations, and government agencies—to support innovative collaborations.
• Serve as the primary advocate and public face of F3 Innovate at local, regional, national, and global levels.
• Promote a commitment to inclusive innovation and equitable economic development by engaging small, underserved, and socially disadvantaged groups.
• Foster a culture of open dialogue regarding the agrifood industry in the Central Valley.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of senior leadership and management experience.
• Commitment to inclusive and innovative agrifood technology, sustainable food production, and economic development in line with F3 Innovate’s mission.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in technology, engineering, business, agrifood sciences, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in small business, entrepreneurship, and/or business incubation is preferred.
• Knowledge of the food systems value chain, including R&D, innovation, technology, manufacturing, and commercialization, is an asset.
• Experience in high-risk investment, venture capital, or patient capital is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Central Valley region and the national/global climate-smart agrifood tech landscape is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships and facilitating cross-sector collaborations, including public-private partnerships.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Experience engaging underserved groups and managing boards.
• Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills, with the capability to simplify complex technical topics.
• Proven experience in raising significant capital and managing diverse funding streams with a focus on the triple bottom line: profit, people, and planet.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Insurance
• Holiday, Sick & Vacation Leave
• Other Benefits