Skip Hulett Aids NatureSweet’s B Corp Certification

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Skip Hulett first got to know the former NatureSweet CEO not in a boardroom, but over a series of Saturdays in a men’s Bible study group. As often happens in such close-knit gatherings, personal lives and professional roles began to surface.

A seasoned general counsel with over a decade of experience, Hulett was surprised to learn that NatureSweet—an innovative, nationally recognized produce company—had no legal department. “I remember being a little worried on his behalf,” Hulett recalls. “With all the trademarks and design patents they had, it was surprising they weren’t managing legal in-house.” He didn’t raise his hand for the job and even recommended someone else. But when the time came to formalize legal leadership, it was Hulett who ultimately stepped in.

Now, more than seven years later, Hulett serves as Chief Legal Officer under the current CEO Rodolfo Spielmann, continuing to build not just a legal department, but a values-driven governance model aligned with NatureSweet’s mission.

According to Hope Shovein, co-chair of trademarks at Brooks Kushman, Hulett is the perfect person for the job: “Skip is a standout general counsel who drives smart, business-focused legal strategy. He efficiently manages outside counsel and ensures the right team is in place to protect and grow the company’s assets. His steady leadership and sharp judgment make him an invaluable partner across all facets of the business.”

A Career Rooted in Service and Law

NatureSweet didn’t just gain legal expertise in Hulett—they gained a prosecutor who tried 27 jury trials in his first year out of law school as an Assistant District Attorney, a successful private attorney who built his own firm before becoming a partner at a mid-sized law practice, a former Texas district judge appointed by the governor, and a longtime telecom general counsel.

He’d previously built a legal department from scratch—and would do it again at NatureSweet. But this time, the context was unique: a for-profit company determined to prove that doing good and doing well aren’t mutually exclusive.

B Corp Certification: A Benchmark for Purpose-Driven Business

NatureSweet is best known for its greenhouse-grown tomatoes, but its vision extends far beyond fresh produce. All its facilities are Fair Trade Certified, reflecting a commitment to ethical labor practices. Under Hulett’s legal leadership, NatureSweet also became the largest controlled environment agriculture (CEA) company in the world to earn Certified B Corporation status. The B Corp certification requires companies to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency—no small feat for a company of NatureSweet’s size and scope.

NatureSweet achieved a B Impact Assessment score of 114, far surpassing the minimum threshold of 80 and well above the average score of 50.9 for typical businesses. “I certainly don’t take credit,” says Hulett. “But it was a privilege to help sponsor that effort as part of the leadership team. It was an intense and lengthy process, and well worth it.”

Transforming the Produce Industry from the Ground Up

While B Corp certification is more common among startups and small enterprises, for a company like NatureSweet—with thousands of agricultural workers and national distribution—the recognition is a statement to the fresh produce industry.

NatureSweet pays its farmworkers in Mexico more than double the country’s minimum wage, and about 40 percent above the national median for agricultural labor, while also offering the potential to earn up to 300 percent in bonus compensation.

The company also operates education programs allowing employees to achieve literacy and earn primary through high school diplomas. More than 2,900 employees have participated in these life-changing initiatives.

“There was a special culture here before I arrived,” Hulett notes. That culture may help explain a monthly turnover rate of less than 1 percent—virtually unheard of in the agriculture sector.

One story in particular stayed with him: “An employee who’s been with us nearly a decade told us he was the only one of eight siblings to earn his high school diploma—thanks to our program at NatureSweet. Now his children understand the importance of education, two in college—one studying architecture and one studying medicine. I’m not ashamed to say that story brought tears to my eyes.”

Hulett believes NatureSweet’s B Corp certification is more than a badge—it’s a challenge to the $80 billion US produce industry to prioritize worker well-being as a strategic advantage. “Happy, healthy workers help build profitable, resilient businesses,” he says. “And supporting people who’ve historically been overlooked just makes good business sense.”

Texas Roots, Humble Leadership

Hulett’s leadership style reflects his Texas upbringing. “Integrity, humility, and keeping your word are all core to how I try to lead,” he says. That’s part of why he resonates with NatureSweet’s internal values—known as “Unleashers”—a list he keeps nearby.

“One of the last unleashers is about being a powerful partner,” Hulett shares. “You need to be the kind of person who collaborates to reach shared goals. That kind of communication is what allows a purpose-driven organization like ours to thrive—so the good we’re doing can continue to grow.”

This summer, Skip and his wife will celebrate 43 years of marriage. They have three children, five granddaughters, and—by all accounts—a life filled with purpose, both personal and professional.

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