Publicly traded, Kona-based Cyanotech Corp. has hired Gerard “Gerry” Watts to fill the newly created position of Chief Operations Officer.

Watts, 56, has some 30 years’ experience as an operations executive in the food and agribusiness industries, including a stretch of time at Maui Land and Pineapple Co.

Most recently he served as the principal consultant for international agribusiness for ProducePro Consultancy, where he advised domestic and international firms on the global produce trade.

“With his expertise in profit and supply chain optimization, lean enterprise operations and organizational development, Gerry will add depth to the Company’s management team,” said Brent Bailey, president and CEO, in a statement.