Nancy Matheson-Burns, president and CEO of Dole & Bailey, Inc., Woburn, Mass., acquired sole ownership of the family-owned and operated food hub, effective Dec. 20, 2017, positioning the company to become a Certified Woman-Owned Business.

Matheson-Burns has helped guide her family’s business for more than 40 years, with the last 20 years as president. Her commitment to connecting chefs with local, sustainable foods led to the growth of Dole & Bailey’s Northeast Family Farms and Northeast Family Fisheries, and to becoming a USDA organic certified, non-GMO project verified, humane-handling certified, animal welfare-approved and green restaurant distributor.

“I am thrilled with the opportunities these changes bring to Dole & Bailey,” says Matheson-Burns. “We will be able to respond to our customers’ needs and dreams with more flexibility and enthusiasm than ever. We are champions of shaping food culture and identifying unexplored niches, and our status as a Woman-Owned Business will open exciting new avenues to pursue our goals. Our team is committed to preserving our agricultural legacy, sourcing quality, healthy, great-tasting foods and educating our culinary community about these distinctive products. I am passionate about transparent, sustainable food systems as well as the infrastructure and logistics it takes to run a successful food hub. I love building a team of people, empowering them to be good, moral and ethical decision-makers and leaders. It is a joy and privilege to serve with them in this competitive, fast moving and ever-changing business.”