Our Team

Over the past decade, we have built a strong team of butchers, cowboys, farmers and everything in between.

Will Harris

Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman, who tends the same land that his great-grandfather settled in 1866. Born and raised at White Oak Pastures, Will left home to attend the University of Georgia's School of Agriculture, where he was trained in the industrial farming methods that had taken hold after World War II. Will graduated in 1976 and returned to Bluffton where he and his father continued to raise cattle using pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics. They also fed their herd a high-carbohydrate diet of corn and soy.

These tools did a fantastic job of taking the cost out of the system, but in the mid-1990s Will became disenchanted with the excesses of these industrialized methods. They had created a monoculture for their cattle, and, as Will says, "nature abhors a monoculture." In 1995, Will made the audacious decision to return to the farming methods his great-grandfather had used 130 years before.

Since Will has successfully implemented these changes, he has been recognized all over the world as a leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability. Will is the immediate past President of the Board of Directors of Georgia Organics. He is the Beef Director of the American Grassfed Association and was selected 2011 Business Person of the year for Georgia by the Small Business Administration.

Will lives in his family home on the property with his wife Yvonne. He is the proud father of three daughters, Jessi, Jenni, and Jodi. His favorite place in the world to be is out in pastures, where he likes to have a big coffee at sunrise and a 750ml glass of wine at sunset.

John Benoit

John, White Oak Pastures' Director of Livestock, is from Fitzgerald, Georgia. John attended Valdosta State University and has been at White Oak Pastures since December 2012. John is the proud father of Hattie and Harris Benoit and husband to Director of Farm Experience, Jodi Benoit.

Jenni Harris

Jenni Harris, Will's middle daughter, is a member of the fifth generation of the Harris family to tend cattle at White Oak Pastures. After living on the farm her entire life, Jenni went to Valdosta State University and earned a degree in Business Marketing, graduating in 2009. She remained intimately involved in the family business throughout her studies.

After graduating, Jenni set out to learn the industry. She moved to Atlanta where she interned at Buckhead Beef, a SYSCO company. She put in time in every department, from shipping and receiving to the cut shop, and was later hired to work as a sales associate.

In June of 2010, Jenni returned home to Early County to work for White Oak Pastures full time. As the Director of Marketing, Jenni spends her time focusing on the balance of ecommerce growth and wholesale relationships. Jenni is the proud mother of Jack and Lottie Harris and wife of Director of Specialty Products, Amber Harris.

Jodi Harris Benoit

Jodi Harris Benoit, Will's youngest daughter, is a member of the the fifth generation of the Harris family to tend livestock at White Oak Pastures. Jodi has always played an active role in helping her dad and the cowboys work cattle each season. Jodi graduated from Valdosta State University and earned a degree in Speech Communication in 2012. After graduating, Jodi followed her dad's rule, working away from the farm for at least one year. She was a Support Coordinator for Professional Case Management Services of America. In this position, she was an advocate for adults with developmental disabilities. In January of 2014, Jodi began working full time at White Oak Pastures. As the Director of Farm Experience, she is responsible for education, giving guided tours of the farm, and overseeing on-farm lodging, dining and the General Store in downtown Bluffton. Jodi is also the proud mother of Hattie and Harris who are part of the 6th generation of the farm.

Amber Harris

Amber Harris, Director of Specialty Products, was born in Adairsville, Georgia. After several years of living in Atlanta, she moved to White Oak Pastures in June of 2013. She believes she has finally become acclimated to the culture shock experienced with moving from a big city to one with a population of 88. Other than loving the farm, Jenni Harris played a pretty big part in bringing her to Bluffton to live, work, and build a family. Although she came to us with no farming background, she is passionate about our zero-waste practices and has helped create our tallow kitchen, leather workshop, and pet chews department. Amber and Jenni can be found most evenings chasing their 4-year-old son, Jack, around the pasture and teaching him that chicken eggs are not to be thrown like a ball, they are to be eaten! 

Brittany Vickers

Brittany is from Leary, Georgia and found her way to White Oak Pastures in April of 2022. When she initially joined our crew, she worked closely with the HACCP Coordinator. During this time, she obtained her HACCP Certification and became more involved with the day-to-day operations of our Red Meat Abattoir. Having 10 years of accounting and office management experience, paired with Brittany’s drive and organization, she naturally settled into the position of Assistant Processing Manager within her first nine months of being at White Oak. Brittany now co-manages over 50 employees and hopes to continue expanding her knowledge of the regenerative farming and beef industry. Brittany’s favorite part of her job is the family-like community she gets to work in and she hopes to continue to serve White Oak Pastures in any capacity she has to offer.

Justin Wiley

Justin "Buck" Wiley began working at White Oak Pastures in July of 2009. He was hired as a butcher and worked hard to prove himself until he was promoted to Processing Manager. Buck takes pride in his work and in making our customers happy. He manages 38 employees and 35 head of cattle each day in the Red Meat Abattoir. He arrives at the plant early in the morning and is typically one of the last people to leave. He carries a lot of responsibility, but also has the pleasure of working with some of his best friends every day. He's a great guy, with a huge heart and a constant smile on his face. We couldn't be happier to have him as part of our work family!

Olivier Deslandes

Olivier's journey into the real food movement and the Paleo diet led him to the Savory Institute. Back home, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti he experimented with tropical fruit trees and vegetable gardening. Carbon sequestration, healthy food, and business profitability are what drew him to our internship program in the summer of 2017. "I love plants, animals, and being outside" he says and loves studying Regenerative Agriculture since 2013. Olivier later accepted a position as the Hog program assistant manager where he spent 2 years raising our Iberian hogs and heritage breeds. In 2019 he transferred to the Cattle department and gained a whole new understanding and appreciation for the positive impact these animals can have on our land when managed properly. The next chapter in this journey is more on the infrastructure side of the farm where Olivier was called to manage the Fence team. His position has evolved and he is now the Internet Fulfillment Shipping Manager.

Mallory Burdeshaw

Mallory Burdeshaw joined our accounting department in the fall of 2020. With her customer service background and incredible organizational skills, she quickly became our Accounts Receivable Manager and is now our Purchasing Manager. She grew up in Blakely, GA where she and her husband are now raising their 2 children. Her dedication to her family, friends, and the farm is inspiring for us all and we are so proud she's a part of our team!

Mary Wilkerson

Mary Wilkerson, White Oak Pastures Non-Perishables Shipping Manager, has lived in Edison, GA her whole life. After High School, she married the love of her life and had two amazing boys. Mary has experience in accounting, inventory management, and shipping imports / exports. Mary says that her job at White Oak Pastures is an adventure everyday, and she loves adventure. There is nothing like seeing a truck full of product pull from our dock knowing it's going out to feed America. In her spare time, Mary enjoys cooking, camping, fishing, and being with family and friends.

Lashona Butler

Lashona Butler, the on-farm Commissary Manager, came to White Oak Pastures in 2012 with years of experience in the food industry. However, she has continued to learn, progress, and develop strategies that enrich our dining experiences, for both employees and guests. From working in our Poultry Department and making tallow and pet chews in our Pet Chew Department, Lashona has come full circle, back to her passion for cooking. Lashona has the gift of knowing how to effectively manage her staff and all the responsibilities that come with being the manager of the on-farm commissary. As busy as Lashona is at work, she might be just as busy, if not more, at home. With three athletic sons, fifteen-year-old TreShawn and nine-year-old twins, Rae’Shawn and Dre’Shawn, LaShonna spends her leisure time at her sons’ football, basketball, and baseball games. Last but not least, Lashona is engaged to William Clyde, who we must say, has found himself an amazing woman!

Louis Thomas

Born and raised in “The Bottom of the Boot”, Franklin, Louisiana, Louis has grown up and been heavily exposed to flavors and foods that make our palates turn flips. His love of cooking and desire to learn the kitchen began with his grandmother and aunt and was fostered at a small steakhouse in his hometown. From there, as he entered his teens and early twenties, life found him in Atlanta, GA where his curiosity for good eats could continue to be nourished. From being integral in the opening of a Popeye’s franchise in Fayetteville, GA to running a full kitchen in the lush and luxurious area of Buckhead, GA, he has seen and done it all. Now, being a father of 2 young girls and a teenage son, a husband, and dedicated provider for his family, he has found himself closer to his roots in Bluffton, GA. To be able to bring a little bit of the “Big Town” cuisine to “Small Town America” in a way that doesn’t lose the hometown feel is more that he could have hoped for. As he continues to learn and grow in a nostalgic atmosphere where his best qualities continue to be brought to the forefront, only better, more innovative, and home-grown foods that feed the soul will be rendered. Meet our own: Chef Lou!

Scott Cleveland

Scott Cleveland, born and raised in Miller/Early County, spent most of his life on his grandfather's farm where his family still raises cattle. There, Scott developed a deep-rooted interest in raising livestock. Scott is a proud father to his son and best friend, Aidan Cleveland. Scott joined the White Oak Pasture team in late 2018 where he was hired as a cattle hand. After working there for several months, Scott was presented with the opportunity to become the Cattle Production Manager. Scott is proud to be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the entire cattle operation from birth to slaughter. Scott doesn't see this as just a job but as an opportunity to be with an extended family doing what he loves doing!

Kris Wentzell

Kris, our Farm Operations Manager, was born and raised in the hills of Central Massachusetts where his family had a small farm many years ago. He grew up playing ice hockey as a goalie for 23 years. He met his wife in 2009, and in 2014, they found their way to Southwest Georgia, where they found a house, some land, and White Oak Pastures. He started off as our delivery truck driver, making weekly runs to Atlanta, and also working in the red meat abattoir. He then started working with our livestock production departments and was then promoted to the Farm Operations Manager, overseeing many crews that keep the farm running: carpentry, fencing, maintenance. With his interest and training in humane stockmanship, he also plays a role in moving our flocks and herds. You may also find him feeding orphaned sheep, operating heavy equipment, planting grass, hauling hay, and anything else to help keep operations moving smoothly. He spends his free time with his wife Danyelle, daughter Kali, and son Coleman, who enjoy traveling to horse shows where Kali competes in speed events such as barrel racing. They also enjoy camping and hanging out at home with their many animals.

Bill Perryman

William (Bill) Perryman began working at White Oak Pastures in October of 2016. He holds a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Management. Bill worked for the largest independent oil company in the US at the time as manager of their Warehouse/Purchasing Department in Breckenridge, Texas. Bill returned to Georgia in 1994 and worked for Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance as a Field Adjuster for eleven counties. He retired from the Farm Bureau in 2015. He joined White Oak Pastures as IFC Manager and is currently working as Purchasing Manager. Bill enjoys working with the farm managers to get the materials needed to do their jobs more efficiently. Bill spends weekends and free time on his small farm in Randolph County, Georgia. He enjoys trips to South Dakota with family and friends to hunt pheasant. Bill also helps take care of all the rescue dogs his wife, JoDel, brings home.

Walker Holmes

Walker Holmes, the Inventory Integrations Manager, was born and raised in Adairsville, Georgia, about 4 hours north of the farm. He discovered White Oak Pastures while in high school and took every opportunity to visit and work when his school schedule allowed. In March 2021, he joined us full time as our Makerspace Manager, and put his years of leather crafting and tallow product recipe development skills to good use. In January of this year, after learning more about the ins & outs of our inventory system and IT needs, he decided to take on a new management role that was sure to keep his love of numbers, spreadsheets, and equipment repair satisfied. He continues to prove his love for the farm and this community each day!

Bridget Hogan

Bridget was born and raised in Lawrenceville, GA outside of Atlanta and despite growing up in the suburbs always wanted to be a farmer when she grew up. She graduated with a degree in Economics and International Relations from Georgia State University in 2010 and spent the next nine years in sales and operations. In 2019, Bridget reclaimed her childhood dream when she came to White Oak Pastures as an intern. She fell in love with the small ruminants department and took a full-time position assisting in the development of the solar grazing operation. Bridget now manages the small ruminants team.

Lindsey Sauerwein

Lindsey was born and raised in Westfield, New Jersey - a suburban town outside of New York City. She graduated from Boston College with a degree in Finance and worked for eight years at PwC as a management consultant for financial institutions. Her love for farming began with a passion for promoting health and nutrition. She left her career in consulting to learn what it takes to produce nourishing food as she travelled down the East Coast working on farms. She came to White Oak Pastures as an intern in 2021 and she and her husband fell in love with the White Oak community. Lindsey is the Livestock Data Manager and Organic Garden / Rabbit Manager and enjoys blending her consulting skills with her love for farming.

Recardo Wimbush

Recardo, the Retail Cut Shop Manager, began working with White Oak Pastures in 2021 as a Quality Control Manager. He grew up in Blakely, GA, where he played football for the Early County Bobcats. After completing high school, Recardo went to Georgia Tech on a football scholarship. He spent four years in the flats and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Management. He has several years working in Management in many fields such as health and fitness, transportation, and food service. Recardo is an avid sports lover who loves to spend time with family and friends. 

Kathryn Ruff

Kathryn was born in Savannah, Georgia and has lived in her home state most of her life. With a heart to see the world impacted in meaningful ways, she has built a career in marketing helping local businesses build their legacy.

Kathryn loves the challenge that comes with learning new skills and has worked in a variety of industries including e-commerce, event coordination, nutrition, and pet related initiatives. She and her husband, Wes, have been friends and customers of White Oak Pastures for many years and now help manage the marketing team.