Wajih Rekik
Current Position
- Title: Chief Executive Officer
- Company: CHO America
- Location: Based in Houston, TX, and Los Angeles, CA
Professional Experience
- CEO of CHO America
- Serves as the Chief Executive Officer of CHO America, a leading olive oil producer based in Houston, TX, and Los Angeles, CA.
- Key driving force behind the company's innovative strategies, including blockchain technology for product traceability and AI for climate change adaptation.
- Oversees a team of 53 employees and additional 1,300 seasonal workers during harvest seasons.
- Notable for leading the company to win multiple Gold Awards at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.
- Guided CHO America to become a prominent exporter of Tunisian olive oil, averaging 50,000 tons annually, which constitutes approximately 20% of Tunisia's total olive oil exports.
Professional Achievements
- Award-Winning Leadership
- NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition: Successfully led the company to win two Gold Awards for the Terra Delyssa brand in 2024.
- Spearheaded the adoption of blockchain technology, enhancing product traceability and building customer trust.
- Proficient in leveraging AI to mitigate climate change impacts on olive production, specifically focusing on renewable energy development and water conservation.
Company Initiatives and Innovation
- Tech-Driven Strategies
- Early adoption of blockchain technology for traceability, initially met with skepticism but now highly valued by customers and retail partners.
- Implementation of AI for crop prediction models and adaptation strategies in collaboration with Tunisian universities and AI development firms like InstaDeep.
- Development of Moresh, a brand representing CHO America’s Moroccan operations, which has become a significant player in North American and European markets.
- Commitment to sustainability with a focus on organic farming and a net-zero carbon footprint goal by 2040.
Market Expansion and Product Diversification
- Territory and Brand Expansion
- Extending operations into Morocco with the newly established Moresh brand, which earned a Silver Award at the 2024 NYIOOC.
- Strong presence in North America with over 4,000 retail outlets, now expanding to France and Germany.
- Terra Delyssa: A flagship brand that honors Tunisian heritage, named after Queen Elissa, showcasing high-quality olive oil with elegant packaging.
Professional Interests and Activities
- Industry Engagement
- Actively participates in global olive oil events and exhibitions, such as the Specialty Food Association's Winter Fancy Food Show (WFFS) and SIAL Paris.
- Promotes the culture and heritage of Tunisian olive oil through storytelling and innovative marketing campaigns like "This is a Love Story."
Education
- Marshall University
External References
- LinkedIn Profile: [Wajih Rekik on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wajih-rekik-0a867519)
- ZoomInfo Profile: [Wajih Rekik on ZoomInfo](https://www.zoominfo.com/p/Wajih-Rekik/1764263936)
- RocketReach Profile: [Wajih Rekik on RocketReach](https://rocketreach.co/wajih-rekik-email_36619994)
Wajih Rekik's leadership in CHO America demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and market expansion, positioning the company as a significant player in the global olive oil industry. His strategic focus on leveraging technology and maintaining high-quality standards has garnered industry recognition and customer trust.
