The pride of apple country

Apples harvested in the Hills of Appalachia

About AppleAtcha

AppleAtcha is dedicated to empowering rural communities in Appalachia through innovative solutions. With a mission to revitalize former coal mines in the area, we work towards creating sustainable rural economies.

AppleAtcha is currently working towards becoming a prominent vertically-integrated commercial apple enterprise in eastern Kentucky. Our main objective is to develop at least 1,000 acres of apple orchards on land that was previously used for surface coal mining. Additionally, we will work with our community partner, Community at the Core, 501(c)(3) non-profit, to establish an on-site apple facility that will be responsible for the sorting, packaging, controlled atmospheric storage (“CAS”), marketing and sales.

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AppleAtcha plans to invest nearly $100 million in Appalachia to create a 1,000-acre apple orchard in Martin and Johnson County located in Eastern Kentucky. The orchard will cater to the Appalachian region, and AppleAtcha will oversee operations including a packhouse, controlled atmosphere cold storage, and wholesaling its apple products.

Our core values

Partnership

We partner with local leaders, businesses, and organizations for economic growth and development.

Investment

We invest internally as well as attract external investments such as from private entities and governments.

Industry

We identify strategic industries, invest, and support local businesses for economic development.

Job Creation

We encourage job growth, create opportunities, and support workforce development for local residents.

Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Charles Hamm

Charles Hamm has been the CEO and President of CHIC Holdings LLC, the parent company of Continental Heritage Insurance Company, which was formerly a subsidiary of ProCentury Corporation, over 15 years ago. His significant accomplishments and responsibilities include: optimizing company performance through development, implementation and emphasis of performance goals and objectives; managing all aspects of daily operations, insuring a high degree of control and consistent customer service levels; maintaining expected margins through appropriate staffing and expense controls; and, preserving and expanding significant client relationships to maximize customer retention.

Mr. Hamm has been involved with over 100 corporate acquisition transactions and has 30 years of industry experience. He has led insurance companies for over 20 years. His career began as an Accountant at KPMG in Cleveland, Ohio becoming a partner in 1996. Mr. Hamm holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Chief Financial Officer

Jeff Miller

Jeff brings a wide range of experience to AppleAtcha, having previously served in senior roles in Finance, Operations and Information Technology.

Prior to joining AppleAtcha, Mr. Miller served as a Program Manager for Firewatch Contracting/Evergreen, where he focused on surety claims and difficult projects. Among his surety claims were a union Mechanical and Horizontal Construction companies. In this role, he provided operational, personnel management, project management and financial oversight for the winddown of these companies, including completing or novating active contracts and the eventual sale of all company assets. Mr. Miller also served as Program Manager of a large Demolition and Construction project at a major Veteran’s Administration facility.

Prior to joining Firewatch/Evergreen, Mr. Miller served as the CFO of a large international US Federal Government Construction company that executed in austere environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Miller also served in numerous financial roles for a large power generation project management, engineering and manufacturing firm, culminating as the senior financial manager for their $2B international fossil fuel power generation group. His experience with Heavy Civil and large projects will be instrumental in the efficient execution of the future land preparation and planting phases of AppleAtcha.

Mr. Miller also has prior experience in Information Technology, managing large internal enterprise financial and engineering systems implementations and application development groups.
Mr. Miller holds a Bachelors of Administration in Accounting from Ohio University and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Akron, and has previously held CPA licensure in the state of Ohio (currently inactive status).

Chief Marketing Officer

Lindsey Cottone

Lindsey is a seasoned Marketing and Corporate Communications professional with over 15 years of experience as a consultant and in a fast-paced national real estate organization. Lindsey is a highly respected Communications professional with an intimate understanding of multiple business sectors that allow her to continuously strive to push the boundaries of technology and efficiency, develop strategic plans and guide communications plans.

Prior to joining AppleAtcha, Lindsey worked as an independent marketing and communications consultant for a large portfolio of clients ranging from food and beverage to national residential real estate developers, where she developed, managed, and executed strategic communication plans. Her dedication to client satisfaction resulted in a loyal portfolio of clients.

Prior to her consulting role, Lindsey was the Director of Marketing and Communications at Forest City Enterprises, where she was responsible for the public relations, advertising, communication planning, strategic sales and marketing campaigns, market research, branding, media relations, and proposal development for the commercial division.

Lindsey earned her Bachelor of Arts & Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Partner and Industry Expert

Bruce Rasch

Bruce Rasch is a 5th generation apple farmer and has one of the largest apple farms in Michigan. His family has been involved in the apple industry since 1903. The apple farm consists of a high-density orchard utilizing dwarf trees, which provides for maximum yields. The orchard is state-of-the art and can easily adapt to the ever-changing demand for certain types of apples. Mr. Rasch designed a 700-acre orchard in Conklin, Michigan connected to a packing facility that consistently delivers top-of-class yields that command the highest prices in the marketplace. Mr. Rasch is an expert in orchard design, orchard management, pest remediation/avoidance, soil chemistry, food safety, and many of the other responsibilities that come with running a major orchard. He holds an Associate’s Degree of Science in Agricultural Business and Management from Michigan State University and has been involved with several farming trade and lobbying groups, including the Michigan Horticultural Society, of which he has been a member since 19.