Mark AminPrincipalMark Amin is a fourth generation pistachio farmer and has been actively involved in the nut industry for over 40 years in Iran and the United States. In addition to his involvement in the nut industry, Mark has had numerous professional accomplishments in the entertainment industry. Mark founded, and from 1984 to 2000 served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trimark Pictures, a publicly traded film production and distribution company that merged with Lionsgate Entertainment in 2000. Mark was Vice Chairman and served on the Board of Directors of Lionsgate Entertainment, a producer and distributor of motion pictures from 2000 to 2009. In 2001, Mark founded and has since served as Chief Executive Officer of Sobini Films, a private producer and financier of motion pictures. Mark has many award winning and successful films to his credit and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mark earned an MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Hassan AminPrincipalHassan Amin is a fourth generation farmer and has been involved in the nut industry for over 20 years in the United States. Hassan purchased his first farmland in California in 2000, which he developed into a pistachio orchard. He has owned and managed that orchard ever since, and in 2008 he dedicated his professional career to agriculture development and management through AminAg. Hassan started his professional career working in various business development and finance roles at the Estee Lauder Companies in New York. He later moved to San Francisco where he joined the finance team at McKesson Corporation. Over 8 years at McKesson, Hassan held many senior finance roles, leaving the company as Director of Investor Relations. Hassan earned an MBA from New York University.
Hamid ShafipourHamid Shafipour is a retired radiologist and a third generation pistachio farmer. His father was a pioneer in modern pistachio farming in Rafsanjan, Iran and Hamid managed the family farms. Upon retirement from his medical practice, Hamid returned to his farming roots, developing new orchards in the central valley of California. Hamid works closely with our farm managers, providing consultative services in planting, tying, training, pruning, fertilization and pest control.
Mark WescottMark Wescott is a finance professional with extensive experience in providing quantitative and qualitative analysis of financial, general ledger and operational data to support tactical or strategic projects and business decisions. Mark is primarily involved in business development and land acquisition strategies to oversee AminAg's growth. Mark negotiates terms of the acquisition and structures deals to unite investors with sound opportunities in the agricultural investment space. Mark previously spent 10 years in the consulting practice of Arthur Andersen, and supplemented his experience with business development roles in both startup and Fortune 50 companies. Mark received his MBA from the University of Arizona.
Susan BarnesSusan Barnes is an accounting and finance professional with over 20 years of experience. Her experience includes rendering audit services as a licensed CPA as well as managing these services for public and private companies. As Controller of AminAg, Susan manages the general accounting, budgeting and forecasting for our overall operations, supporting our relationships with our Farm Managers and Processors and providing support for internal decision making. Additionally, Susan works directly with our audit and tax partners to facilitate meeting our external requirements. She started her career with Arthur Andersen in the audit and risk management divisions and then held financial positions with West Marine, Advent Software and most recently as Controller for Arbor Building Group, a mid size commercial General Contractor. Susan received her MBA from Pace University.
Rachel BrowneRachel Browne has extensive experience supporting small to medium sized businesses with roles in accounting, marketing and communications. Rachel is the key link between our administrative and Farm Management teams, overseeing our accounts payable and cash flow processes, while also assisting with budgeting and forecasting to support the AminAg farming enterprise.
Farm ManagersAminAg, LLC contracts with six different elite farm managers in the central valley who are responsible for the daily horticultural operations of the properties.