GIOA STARTED
as a group of operators in Atlanta, Georgia in cooperation to acquire, purchase, and deliver produce. This program was started and spearheaded by Jonathan Hollis. Operators quickly saw the value and power of working together in a formal system with a formal process to meet specific needs that affected all operators.
In 2020, another small group of operators met to meet a new need: health insurance. An even greater formal organization was needed and Guardian Independent Operator Association was formed under the leadership of Jonathan Hollis, Alex Vann, Randy Smith and Justin Mize. A group of trusted operators became the board of trustees and a trust was also formed.