Paul Hatfield

Background

About Paul Hatfield

CREATING A CIRCULAR FOOD SYSTEM I’m passionate about building more efficient, equitable, and resilient food systems by applying principles of circularity. I believe small farmers and large producers both play essential—and complementary—roles in shaping a sustainable future. My goal is to create synergy among all value-holders across the supply chain, from soil to shelf. I completed a Circular Economy certificate program through the University of Colorado Boulder and Siemens, where I explored how design, reuse, and systems thinking can reshape industrial and food systems alike. Circularity takes the concept of sustainability to a whole new, fully integrated level. STRATEGIC ACCOUNTING FOR DESIGN & OPERATIONS Warren Buffett called accounting the “language of business,” and I thrive at the intersection of accounting, operations, and strategy. While pursuing master’s-level coursework in managerial accounting, I focused on using data to drive decisions around product design, material efficiency, and long-term value creation. Circularity begins with design—and getting that right requires balancing profit, sustainability, material sourcing, and optics. TWO DECADES IN FOOD INDUSTRY & CULINARY OPERATIONS With over 20 years in the food industry, I’ve led efforts in product development, cheesemaking, CPG design, procurement, manufacturing, and foodservice management. I’ve worked both front- and back-of-house in restaurants and catering, operated my own small business, and overseen food operations in elder care. Most recently, I’ve worked with a nonprofit serving Asheville’s unhoused population, where I introduced systems to improve service quality and consistency—procurement strategies, budget frameworks, training programs, and professional standards. LEAN SIX SIGMA & SYSTEMS EFFICIENCY I’m currently earning my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Process efficiency is a cornerstone of any circular economy, and Lean tools are essential for optimizing design, sourcing, and fulfillment systems. Efficiency and sufficiency—doing more with less—are key values I bring to every project. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT As a Rotarian, I’m committed to service in my community and beyond. “Service Above Self” isn’t just a motto—it’s a principle that aligns closely with my personal and professional ethos.