Mr. Retzloff is a pioneer in the organic and natural foods industry with a 49-year career starting and managing successful companies. He is co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Alfalfa’s Markets, Boulder-based natural foods stores. He also co-founded Aurora Organic Dairy in 2003, and currently acts as a senior advisor to the company. He was the University of Michigan’s School for the Environment And Sustainability, (SEAS), Practitioner in Residence for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Natural Habitats Group, a Netherlands based, fully integrated leader in organic sustainable palm oil production, processing, and distribution. Mark currently mentors, counsels, consults and advises numerous leaders and companies in the Natural, Organic, Local and Sustainable food sector.
Mr. Retzloff started his career in natural foods retail, as co-founder of Eden Foods, Rainbow Grocery, and the original Alfalfa’s Market’s, which merged with Wild Oats Markets in 1996. In 1990 Mr. Retzloff was chairman of the Organic Food Alliance which was instrumental in passing the 1990 Organic Food Production Act in D.C. Mr. Retzloff went on to become the co-founder of Horizon Organic Dairy. There he served as Chairman, CEO and President International. He then became Chairman of Rudi’s Organic Bakery where he helped execute a successful turn-around.
He lends his knowledge as a board member and advisor to emerging companies, which have included Blue Horizon Organic Seafood, BlueSun BioDiesel, Boulder Ice Cream, Crocs Footwear, Evol Burritos, Goddess Garden, Haystack Mtn. Goat Cheese, Sambazon Acai, Traditional Medicinals, Tempt Hemp Milk, and Uncle Matts Organic Juice. Mr. Retzloff is a founding partner at Greenmont Capital Partners, and founder and former Chairman of The Organic Center and he is a past 11 year board member of RSF Social Finance.
Mr. Retzloff sits on the University of Michigan’s School for the Environment And Sustainability, SEAS, Dean’s Visiting Committee and is chairman of the Advisory Board for the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems, CSS. He also serves on the Board of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, CESR, at Leeds school of business at the University of Colorado, Boulder and also is Co-chair of advisory board of CU’s Masters in the Environment school, MENV. He recently joined Colorado State University School of Agriculture Deans Advisory Board. Mr. Retzloff is also Member of Blackstone Entrepreneur Network leadership group. In the greater Boulder community, he is past president of Community Food Share, Past President of Growing Gardens, current board member of Boulder Open Space Conservancy, BOSC and co-Founder of Naturally Boulder.
Mr. Retzloff received his B.S. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan and has received several awards, including the Organic Trade Association’s Lifetime Leadership award, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Entrepreneur of the Year award, Naturally Boulder’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame and New Hope Natural products Hall of Legends.
Mr. Retzloff lives outside Boulder, Colorado on a farm with his wife Terry where they raised their three children. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, golf, and visiting his home in Hanalei Kauai, Hawaii.