# George Lobisser

> George Lobisser is the Bainbridge Island founder and CEO of RipeLocker, a postharvest technology company that uses dynamic low-pressure chambers to slow the aging and decay of produce and flowers. An accountant and lawyer by training, he moved through Deloitte, Seattle private equity, and 12 years leading Pace International before co-founding RipeLocker with his son Kyle in 2016. His career has centered on one stubborn supply-chain problem: preserving quality long enough for perishables to travel farther, waste less, and reach buyers in better condition.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at RipeLocker, Inc.
- **Organizations:** RipeLocker, Inc., Pace International, LLC, MALIKY Capital, LLC, S/L Partners, Deloitte, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., Washington State Investment Board, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Produce for Better Health Foundation
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Northern Colorado, Juris Doctor, Gonzaga University School of Law
- **Known for:** Led Pace International for 12 years before its sale to Valent BioSciences in 2012., Oversaw a period at Pace in which approximately 85% of revenue at sale was attributed to products developed during his tenure., Co-founded RipeLocker and brought its patented low-atmosphere chambers from prototypes through commercial deployment.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Began his career in Deloitte's tax department, advising high-net-worth individuals on business, accounting and taxation.
- **Before 2000** — Served as an owner and partner at S/L Partners, a private equity firm investing in Seattle-area businesses.
- **2000-2012** — President, CEO and co-owner of Pace International, which expanded its postharvest product portfolio before its sale to Valent BioSciences.
- **2013** — Began serving as managing member of MALIKY Capital, LLC.
- **2016** — Co-founded RipeLocker with his son Kyle and became CEO.
- **2016** — Joined the board of AgroFresh Solutions.
- **2021** — RipeLocker announced a commercial launch of its pallet-sized low-atmosphere chambers.
- **2023** — RipeLocker raised an additional $10 million from existing and new investors for design upgrades, trials and inventory.
- **2024** — RipeLocker reported a cherry-storage milestone after six years of trials with Gebbers Farms and Chelan Fresh.

## Achievements

- Led Pace International for 12 years before its sale to Valent BioSciences in 2012.
- Oversaw a period at Pace in which approximately 85% of revenue at sale was attributed to products developed during his tenure.
- Co-founded RipeLocker and brought its patented low-atmosphere chambers from prototypes through commercial deployment.
- Helped RipeLocker raise $30 million in reported funding by September 2023.
- Served on corporate and nonprofit boards including AgroFresh, the Washington State Investment Board and Seattle Repertory Theatre.
- Taught part time at the University of Washington School of Business.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Published a LinkedIn article arguing that the fruit and vegetable industry should learn from energy-drink marketing.
- **2025-02** — Appeared on the Business of Blueberries podcast to discuss RipeLocker's technology and his focus on quality and nutrition.
- **2024-10** — Announced a cherry-storage milestone after six years of trials with Gebbers Farms and Chelan Fresh.
- **2024-06** — RipeLocker announced a partnership with Agrovision to extend the freshness and quality of berries.
- **2023-09** — RipeLocker announced an additional $10 million from existing and new investors to improve hardware, software and inventory.

## Links

- Website: https://ripelocker.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-lobisser-56708268

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/george-lobisser
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27