Michael Besancon

Michael Besancon, an entrepreneur and environmental advocate, has spent most of his career in the business of providing natural and organic foods to a population craving a healthier lifestyle.

In 1970 he built, owned and operated Follow Your Heart Natural Foods in Canoga Park, CA. At that time it was the largest natural food store on the West Coast. The line of vegan products he developed back then is still sold in natural food stores throughout the nation. In 1990 he established a food brokerage firm, representing vendors throughout the U.S. He joined Whole Foods Market in 1994 as Director of Purchasing in the Southern Pacific Region and was promoted to Regional Vice President two years later. In 1998 he became President of the Company's Mid Atlantic Region. He returned to his home town in 2001 as President of the Southern Pacific Region, an area that encompasses Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.

Michael chairs Whole Foods Market's National Green Mission Task Force and has helped the Company lead the charge for environmentally sustainable practices which range from promoting sustainable agriculture and creating farm animal treatment standards to store recycling and composting programs. In January 2006, Whole Foods Market announced a landmark purchase of renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in all of its U.S. offices, stores and facilities. This is the largest wind energy credit purchase in the history of North America and makes Whole Foods Market the only Fortune 500 Company to do so.

Michael believes that by choosing natural and organic foods and creating environmental awareness, companies and consumers alike are able to do their part to make a healthier planet.

For more information on Michael, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com