Best Startup
At Best Startup US we track over 1,000,000 US startups and over 3 million people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based Director operating in the Food and Beverage space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.us.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Jay Brown
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Marcy Venture Partners
Jay Brown has served as a member of our Board since January 2014. Jay Brown, a 20-year music industry executive veteran, fostered the careers and discovered countless superstars including Rihanna and Ne-Yo and worked with artists such as NAS. Jay Brown is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company started in 2008. Mr. Brown currently overseas the careers of a diverse Roc Nation roster comprised of Grammy award winning and critically acclaimed recording artists, writers and producers including Rihanna, Shakira, Timbaland, Kylie Minogue and Santigold. Prior to Roc Nation, Mr. Brown served as Executive Vice President for Def Jam Recordings from 2005 to 2008 and as Senior Vice President of Elektra Records from 1999 to 2004. Our Board has concluded that Mr. Brown should serve on the Board based upon his experience as an entrepreneur and senior executive and his broad knowledge of the music and entertainment industries.
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About Marcy Venture Partners, Roc Nation: Marcy Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing on consumer, culture, and mass-market brands.
Larry Marcus
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Marcy Venture Partners
Actively making new investments in consumer and culture with Marcy Venture Partners, a VC firm co-founded with JAY-Z and Jay Brown. Managing Director at Walden Venture Capital Investments include: Savage X Fenty, Pela, Hungry, Wheels, Hipcamp, Partake Foods, Pandora (founding investor – IPO, exit to Sirius XM) , SoundHound, Aarki, goTenna, Hatch Baby, TouchBistro (exit), Robust Wealth (acquired by Principal Financial Group), Terayon (acquired by Motorola). Angel investments: include Netflix (IPO), BandPage (acquired by Google), Maestro, Jukely, LyricFind. Prior to Walden, Larry was a digital media sell-side Equity Research Analyst at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown. Led IPOs of Terayon, CBS MarketWatch, Netflix (initial S-1 IPO filing), Maxis (acquired by Electronic Arts), Edmark (acquired by IBM) and among other equity and debt financings (Broderbund, Sierra On-line, Excite@Home, Spectrum Holobyte, CBS Sportsline). Prior experience includes Robertson Stephens & Company, Education: Larry received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. See the music he loves at www.pandora.com/people/larry. He was named to the Billboard Power 100 in music and the Twitter 140 to follow.
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About Marcy Venture Partners, Scientific Revenue, TouchBistro, Walden Venture Capital: Marcy Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing on consumer, culture, and mass-market brands.
Benjamin Feeney
Senior Director – Global Innovation & New Initiatives of Molson Coors
Ben Feeney is a senior director at Molson Coors. He has 16 years of experience delivering new revenue and new ventures across corporate marketing, communication agency, and startup environments that have increased stock price, driven profitable growth, and created culture change.
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About Molson Coors: Molson Coors is a beer company and distributor that brews the world’s favorite beer brands.
Javed Hussain
Director of Global Technology Planning, Delivery and Governance of PepsiCo
Senior technology executive with 20 years of global SAP business transformation, delivery and operations experience. Responsible for collaborating across PepsiCo functions to identify and evaluate key business/IT demands and metrics versus current process and technology capabilities. Then develop transformation strategies and plans to meet future demands, and finally to own the delivery of those global transformations through new processes and/or technology solutions, including SAP HANA.
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About PepsiCo, PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Henry Mori
Engineering Director, B2B & D2C eCommerce of PepsiCo
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About PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Jenny Tran
Title Director of Brand Strategy and Design, Global Innovation of PepsiCo
Jenny Tran is a Creative Lead in Experience Design across various new brands across the PepsicCo Portfolio including Lemon Lemon , IZZE, and is Global Design Lead for LIFEWTR. She is part of the PepsiCo Design and Innovation team based in Manhattan, New York.
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About PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Christine Johnson
Senior Director Global Business Solutions Supply Chain Planning of PepsiCo
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About PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Cory Notric
Senior Director of Global Brand Protection of PepsiCo
Cory Notrica is a senior director of global brand protection at PepsiCo.
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About PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Anne Wyrick
Senior Director of PepsiCo
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About PepsiCo: PepsiCo operates as a food and beverage company worldwide.
Greg Lind
Director of Platform of Transparent Path spc
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About Buildly, Transparent Path spc: Real-time, end-to-end visibility for perishables — using IoT sensors, blockchain security, and predictive AI.
Matthew Nordan
Managing Director of Prime Impact Fund
Matthew joined Venrock in 2009 and focuses on energy, environmental and materials technologies. He is a board observer at OnChip Power and Boston-Power, and has been closely involved with portfolio companies Phononic Devices and Nest Labs. Prior to Venrock, Matthew was President of Lux Research, an advisory services firm for science-driven innovation that he co-founded in 2004. Under Matthew’s leadership, Lux Research became a widely recognized authority on energy and materials innovation, counseling corporations, investors and governments. Earlier, Matthew served in a variety of management roles with technology advisor Forrester Research in the United States and Europe. Matthew holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yale University, where he conducted cognitive neuroscience research on the neural pathways mediating emotion and memory.
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About MNL Partners, Prime Impact Fund: Prime Impact Fund invests in transformative technology companies with the potential for gigaton-scale climate impact.
Mark Kaestner
Global Director, Global Learning and Leadership Development of The Coca-Cola Company
Mark Kaestner is the global director of global learning and leadership development at The Coca-Cola Company.
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About The Coca-Cola Company: The Coca-Cola Company distributes coke, diet coke, and other soft drinks worldwide.
Tim Snyder
Director, Digital Business Optimization of McDonald’s
As Director of Digital Business Optimization at McDonald’s, Tim oversees engagement opportunities and the e-commerce funnel for all digital products in the US. He’s focused on removing tension points to convert visitors into buyers. Prior to this role, he focused on market tests and restaurant experience for new digital capabilities while optimizing for scale during the early stages of McDonald’s digital transformation. Prior to joining McDonald’s, Tim led the global digital advertising team for Tribal DDB Amsterdam focusing on Heineken. He holds an MBA in Marketing Management from DePaul Univesity and BA from Illinois Wesleyan University.
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About McDonald’s: McDonald’s is a global foodservice retailer generating revenue through company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, and licensing pacts.
Jatinder Singh
Director – CRM and Digital Strategy of McDonald’s
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About McDonald’s: McDonald’s is a global foodservice retailer generating revenue through company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, and licensing pacts.
Ashlyn Gentry
Managing Director, NewCo of Human Ventures
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About Human Ventures: Human Ventures is a business creation platform, comprised of a venture fund, studio and enterprise agency.
Chad Lambie
National Director of Events & Client Experiences of HUNGRY
National Director of Talent Development & Client Experiences at HUNGRY.
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About HUNGRY: Hungry is a food-tech catering company that connect customers to chefs, delivering fresh food from these chefs to the customers.
Kyle Roche
Board of Directors & Co-Founder of SupperBell
Kyle Roche is the General Manager of Amazon Sumerian. Kyle was the founder of 2lemetry which was acquired by Amazon in 2015 and became AWS IoT. He is a regular speaker at industry events for IoT, AR, and VR. He has authored numerous technical publications on subjects ranging from cloud computing to augmented reality
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About Amazon Web Services, SupperBell: Supperbell provides meal-delivery services.
Mary Laschinger
Board of Director of Kellogg’s
Mary Laschinger has been a member of Kellogg Company’s Board of Directors since 2012. Ms. Laschinger serves on the Nominating & Governance Committee, Manufacturing Committee, and Audit Committee. Ms. Laschinger is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Veritiv Corporation, a leading North American distribution solutions company. Previously, Ms. Laschinger was Senior Vice President at International Paper and President of xpedx, International Paper’s former distribution division, a position she held for four years. During her career at International Paper, Ms. Laschinger held other leadership positions including Senior Vice President and President of International Paper Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia; Vice President and General Manager of Wood Products; Vice President of Pulp businesses, as well as other senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, manufacturing, and supply chain. Prior to joining International Paper in 1992, Ms. Laschinger held various positions in product management and distribution at James River Corporation and Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Ms. Laschinger serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and is a former Lead Director of Ilim Group, Russia’s largest pulp and paper company. Ms. Laschinger holds a Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Connecticut. Ms. Laschinger also completed postgraduate studies in executive management at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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About Xpedx: Kellogg’s is a cereal company, and a major producer of convenience foods.
Donald Knauss
Member of the Board of Directors of Kellogg’s
Donald Knauss retired from The Clorox Company in 2015, having served as Executive Chairman of the Board from November 2014 until July 2015 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from October 2006 until November 2014. He was Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company and President and Chief Operating Officer for Coca-Cola North America from February 2004 until September 2006. Prior to his employment with The Coca-Cola Company, he held various positions in marketing and sales with PepsiCo, Inc. and Procter & Gamble and served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He is also a director of the Kellogg Company and Target Corporation. He was formerly a director of URS Corporation. Donald Knauss has been a director of the Company since October 2014. He is a member of the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee
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About : Kellogg’s is a cereal company, and a major producer of convenience foods.
Cynthia H. Milligan
Board of Director of Kellogg’s
Ms. Milligan served as Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, from June 1998 until May 2009, when she was named Dean Emeritus of the College of Business Administration. Before joining the University of Nebraska, Ms. Milligan served as president of Cynthia Milligan & Associates, a consulting firm for financial institutions, and before that was a senior partner of a law firm in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is the former Director of Banking and Finance for the State of Nebraska. Ms. Milligan holds a J.D. with honors from George Washington University National Law Center, and a B.A. with honors from the University of Kansas. Ms. Milligan is a director of Calvert Funds, Kellogg Company, and Raven Industries, Inc. She is also a member of the board of directors of The Gallup Organization, Teammates Foundation, Teammates Mentoring Program, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is a trustee of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, University of Nebraska Foundation, and Nebraska Humanities Council Foundation
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About : Kellogg’s is a cereal company, and a major producer of convenience foods.
Marta Dalton
Global eCommerce Director of Unilever
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About Unilever: Unilever produces and supplies fast-moving consumer goods in food, home, and personal care product categories worldwide.
Andrew Koven
Co Managing Director of LDR Ventures
Drew is the Co Managing Director of LDR Ventures. He has successfully incubated, operated, turned around, advised and invested in Consumer Lifestyle brands of products and services worldwide for over twenty years. He is widely regarded as a pioneering force in E-commerce, M-commerce, Omni-channel Retail and Marketplaces. Drew is a thought leader advocating for and advancing the use of Innovative Technologies which support consumer lifestyle brands of products and services. He embraces diversity, impact, inclusion, female and minority led businesses to build market leaders which address systemic and behavioral trend changes and have Impact.
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About LawChamps, LDR Ventures, Shaka Tea, Swagtron, Sweetgreen, Territory Foods, Uber: LDR is a VC firm based in Los Angeles investing In Female & Minority Founders, Consumer Product, Food, E-Comm, Marketplaces & Legal Tech
Chuck Templeton
Founder & Managing Director of S2G Ventures
Chuck Templeton is passionate about early stage and emerging companies, and is focused on using business principles to find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. He has had the pleasure of being involved with over two-dozen startups as an investor, board member, or advisor, but spends the majority of his time helping impact companies as the Managing Director of Impact Engine. He took his first big step as an entrepreneur in San Francisco when he founded OpenTable, which went public on the NASDAQ in May of 2009 (OPEN). He helped build an industry leading company that changed the way full-service restaurants manage their top-line growth and diners make their dinner reservations. While CEO, he recruited and hired the first management team, obtained and allocated company resources, led the business and product strategy, and carefully crafted a highly dedicated culture. OpenTable is the global leader in restaurant reservations with customers in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. He used that experience to support the GrubHub team as an Advisor and Director. They grew to be a national leader in providing hungry diners with food delivery and take-out options, while also helping independent restaurants use technology to operate more profitably. Chuck serves as Chairman of the Board for GrubHub and is on the Board of Directors for Getable.com, TaskRabbit, and PVPower. He spent three years serving in the US Army, becoming Ranger and Sniper qualified. Most importantly, he has an amazing wife and two awesome daughters.
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About S2G Ventures, ThinkCERCA: S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Sanjeev Krishnan
Founder, Managing Director & CIO of S2G Ventures
Sanjeev Krishnan is maanaging director and chief information officer at Seed 2 Growth Ventures (S2G).
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About S2G Ventures: S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Kate Danaher
Managing Director of S2G Ventures
Kate Danaher is the senior director of Social Enterprise Lending and Integrated Capital at San Francisco–based RSF Social Finance, an impact investing pioneer that has provided loans and grants to social enterprises since 1984. Kate focuses on the development and deployment of all of RSF’s investment products including senior secured loans, program related investments, and integrated capital transactions. Kate also specifically manages RSF’s food and agriculture portfolio, where her work includes business development and strategy around rebuilding regional food systems and raising the bar on sustainable supply chains. Kate is a frequent speaker on investment in sustainable food and agriculture. She received her MBA through the Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise program at Colorado State University.
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About RSF Social Finance, S2G Ventures: S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Matthew Walker
Managing Director of S2G Ventures
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About S2G Ventures: S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Sarah Walczewski
Director of Operations of S2G Ventures
Sarah Walczewski is director of operations at S2G, where she leads the growth and development of internal capabilities and drives strategic initiatives to support the fund’s overall objectives.
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About S2G Ventures: S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Jonathan Seiffer
Board Of Director of Whole Foods Market
Jonathan A. Seiffer has been a Partner of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. since 1999 and joined Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in 1994. Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. is an affiliate of Green Equity Investors V, L.P.
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About : Whole Foods Market is a supermarket chain owned by Amazon that exclusively sells natural and organic products.
Tanya Seber
Whole Body (Director) Senior Coordinator of Whole Foods Market
Tanya Seber is the Whole Body (Director) Senior Coordinator at Whole Foods Market
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About Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods Market is a supermarket chain owned by Amazon that exclusively sells natural and organic products.
Tina Kroger
Director of Sales of Once Upon a Farm
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About Once Upon a Farm: Once Upon a Farm creates quality, eco-friendly, and nutritious food products for children.
Ben Gillette
Director of Operations of LifeFuels
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About LifeFuels: LifeFuels is changing the way consumers approach hydration and nutrition by empowering them to create personalized beverages on the go.
Jason M. Bowman
Director, Service & Logistics of Ripple Foods
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About Ripple Foods: Ripple Foods specializes in making non-dairy milk with just as much protein as milk and half the sugar.
Brian Kelley
Board Of Director of Keurig Green Mountain
Brian Kelley joined Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director in December 2012 from The Coca-Cola Company where he was named President of Coca-Cola Refreshments in September 2012. From 2011 until November 2012, he served as Chief Product Supply Officer, Coca Cola Refreshments and from 2010 until 2011 as President of Coca-Cola’s North America Business Integration. As President of Coca-Cola’s North American Business Integration he led the total integration of the acquisition of the North American assets of Coca-Cola Enterprises, combining Coca-Cola North America and Coca-Cola Enterprises’ North American operations into a new company, Coca-Cola Refreshments. Mr. Kelley joined Coca-Cola in 2007 as President and General Manager, Still Beverages and Supply Chain North America. Prior to Coca-Cola, Mr. Kelley was President and Chief Executive of SIRVA, Inc. (formerly North American Van Lines), a $3.7 billion leading provider of relocation solutions to a well-established and diverse customer base around the world. His earlier experience includes Ford Motor Company, where he was President of its $13 billion Lincoln/Mercury division and The General Electric Company where he held roles of increasing responsibility until named Vice President and General Manager, Sales and Distribution at GE Appliances. Mr. Kelley began his career in sales and marketing at The Procter & Gamble Company and over a period of years, worked his way up through brand management. Currently, Mr. Kelley also serves on the Board of Trustees of College of the Holy Cross and Save the Children Federation, Inc. He received a B.A. in Economics from College of the Holy Cross.
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About : Keurig Green Mountain operates as a beverage company.
Barbara Carlini
Member of the Board of Directors of Keurig Green Mountain
Barbara Carlini joined Keurig Green Mountain’s Board of Directors in May 2002. From 2009 until September 2013, Barbara Carlini served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Dean Foods Company, the nation’s largest dairy company. Prior to that she served as Chief Information Officer of Motorola’s Mobile Devices Division from May 2006 to January 2008. From November 2001 until March 2006, Barbara Carlini was the Chief Information Officer of Diageo, NA (formerly Guinness North America). Prior to joining Guinness, she was Senior Director, U.S. Sales and Marketing Systems, Information Technology at Nabisco, Inc. She received a B.S. from Montclair State University.
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About : Keurig Green Mountain operates as a beverage company.
Amena Smith
Director of Procurement, Indirect of Keurig Green Mountain
As the Director, Indirect Procurement for Keurig Green Mountain, Amena Smith is a seasoned procurement professional who is passionate about her profession. She joined Keurig Green Mountain, eleven years ago, as a buyer for resellable goods, and now manages a team of sixteen professionals in a best-practice indirect procurement environment. With almost thirty years of procurement experience, Amena specializes in building procurement teams from scratch, as well as the processes, policies and practices to support them. Prior to joining Keurig Green Mountain, Amena’s procurement work was primarily in the hospitality industry where responsibilities ran the gamut from all major buying for large, upscale properties to teaching purchasing, inventory management and cost control at New England Culinary Institute. Outside of work, Amena is heavily involved in local theatre and has participated in more than 20 local productions, both on and offstage. She has extended this passion to local schools where she volunteered as co-director and producer for several productions. She is also a huge coffee lover and has served on the board of directors for the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and enjoyed a brief stint with the Specialty Coffee Association’s Sustainability Council. “Some of the most extraordinary people I have met have been the people I’ve met in coffee.” Amena was born in southern Wisconsin. She has her undergraduate degree in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration. She is married to Philip Smith, Director of Culinary and Innovation for Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo’s and has two grown children, one a professional actress in Chicago, and one a college freshman.
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About Keurig Dr Pepper, Keurig Dr Pepper, Keurig Dr Pepper, Keurig Green Mountain, Keurig Green Mountain: Keurig Green Mountain operates as a beverage company.
Robert Steele
Member of the Board of Directors of Keurig Green Mountain
Robert Steele was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2014. In 2011, Robert Steele retired from Procter & Gamble as the company’s Vice Chairman Health Care. During his 35-year tenure with Procter & Gamble, he served in a variety of executive leadership positions, including Vice Chairman Global Health and Well-being, Group President Global Household Care, and Group President of North American Operations. Robert Steele is a board member of Keurig/Green Mountain Coffee, where he serves on the Audit and Finance committee, and the Compensation and Organizational Development committee. Robert Steele was previously a member of the board of directors of Beam Inc. and Kellogg Company. Robert Steele has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from College of Wooster and a MBA from Cleveland State University. Robert Steele’s in-depth knowledge of the global consumer goods market and his leadership and business experience qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.
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About : Keurig Green Mountain operates as a beverage company.
David Mackay
Member of the Board of Directors of Keurig Green Mountain
David Mackay joined Keurig Green Mountain’s Board of Directors in December 2012.David Mackay served as the Chief Executive Officer of Kellogg Company from December 2006 to January 2011 and as its President from August 2003 to January 2011. From 2003 – 2006, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Kellogg. In addition to his rich consumer product background David Mackay brings significant international experience to the Board of Keurig Green Mountain, derived from his roles at Kellogg Australia, United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, as well as his role as Managing Director of Sara Lee Bakery in Australia. Currently, David Mackay also serves on the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc., Woolworths Ltd. Australia and as Chair of McGrath Limited. He is a past director of Kellogg Company, Beam, Inc. and Fortune Brands, Inc. He received a B.B.A. degree from Charles Sturt University.
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About : Keurig Green Mountain operates as a beverage company.
Stephen Kinch
Director, Digital Technology of 7-Eleven
Stephen leads strategy and implementation for mobile app and API products at 7-Eleven. Prior to his role on the Innovation team, Stephen held multiple roles in IT focused on web apps, enterprise architecture and user experience. Stephen strives for the happy medium between champion, facilitator and doer on the march toward creating great experiences for the 7-Eleven customer through technology.
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About 7-Eleven, 7-Eleven: 7-Eleven is a convenience retailer store with retails of food and beverage.
Stephen Kennedy
Director – Digital Marketing & Media of Domino’s Pizza
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About Domino’s Pizza: Domino’s is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery.
William Singleton
Global Director Packaging Innovation of Mars
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About Mars: Mars is a manufacturer of pet food, confectionery, and other food products.
Jeremy Feit
Marketing Director of Home Chef
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About Backer, Home Chef: Home Chef is a provider of subscription-based meal kit delivery services to help people to save time while enjoying home cooking.
Nicolas Verschelden
Global Innovation Director of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Nicolas Verschelden leads the digital innovation programs in Europe for Anheuser-Busch InBev. In his role as Head of Digital Innovation in Europe, Nico has pioneered some acceleration programs both with internal employees and external startups, which are now rolled-out globally
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About Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev, The World Economic Forum: Anheuser-Busch InBev is a brewer and provider of consumer products that has a strong, balanced portfolio.
Kara Roell
Co-Founder and Managing Director of VMG Partners
Kara Roel is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at VMG Partners.
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About VMG Partners: VMG Partners is a private equity firm that specializes in buyouts and growth capital investments.
Jesse Osborne
Director of Sales of ZeroCater
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About ZeroCater: ZeroCater is a provider of office meals and snacks, bringing employees together to build culture and foster community.
Anderson Piper
Senior Director, Strategic Investment of Chick-fil-A
Anderson Piper is Senior Director, Strategic Investment at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Amy Ohde
Executive Director, Launch Support of Chick-fil-A
Amy Ohde is Regional Director, Southwest Region at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Thomas Nolan
Director of New Store Development of Chick-fil-A
Thomas Nolan is Senior Director, Restaurant Development at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Anita Costello
Regional Director of Chick-fil-A
Anita Costello is Regional Director @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Steven DeVane
Senior Director of Real Estate of Chick-fil-A
Steven DeVane is Senior Director of Real Estate @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Mac Baker
Director of Operations of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Lynette Smith
Director of Corporate Legal of Chick-fil-A
Lynette Smith is Director of Corporate Legal @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Brian Grady
Senior Director of Kitchen Systems and Facility Design of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Amanda Norris
Executive Director, Menu & Packaging of Chick-fil-A
Amanda Norris is Senior Director of Product Development @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Meyer Skalak
Executive Director of Supply Chain of Chick-fil-A
Meyer Skalak is an Executive Director of Supply Chain at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Jim Ruane
Team Director, Southwest Region of Chick-fil-A
Jim Ruane is Team Director, Southwest Region at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Todd Sweatt
Director of Field Operations of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
David Turner
Senior Director, Services and Development of Chick-fil-A
David Turner is Senior Director, Services and Development at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Mike Schisler
Director of Field Services of Chick-fil-A
Mike Schisler is Team Director, Southeast Region at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Dwain Cox
Director of Innovation and Design of Chick-fil-A
Dwain Cox is Director of Innovation and Design @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Tom Morder
Director of Strategic Insights of Chick-fil-A
Tom Morder is Director of Strategic Insights @ Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Scott Thigpen
Director, Restaurant Development of Chick-fil-A
Scott Thigpen is Director, Restaurant Development at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Kristen Clever
Director, Market Strategy & Planning of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Michael Garrison
Senior Director of Environmental Stewardship and Packaging of Chick-fil-A
Michael Garrison is Senior Director of Environmental Stewardship and Packaging @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Mary Peak
Director, Organizational Agility of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Daniel Strain
Sr. Director, Entity Technical Services of Chick-fil-A
Daniel Strain is Senior Director of Information Technology Shared Services @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Amy Rooks
Director of Real Estate Legal of Chick-fil-A
Amy Rooks is Director of Real Estate Legal @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
David Millican
Director, Restaurant Development, Facilities of Chick-fil-A
David Millican is Director, Restaurant Development, Facilities at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Phil Orazi
Sr. Director, Training and Development of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Jodee Morgan
Director, Talent Acquisition of Chick-fil-A
Jodee Morgan is Director, Talent Acquisition at Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
John Featherstonz
Senior Director, New Ventures of Chick-fil-A
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
L.J. Yankosky
Director of Sponsorships and Event Marketing of Chick-fil-A
L Yankosky is Director of Sponsorships and Event Marketing @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Steven Dull
Director of Field Operations of Chick-fil-A
Steven Dull is Director of Field Operations @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Paul Wiley
Senior Director of Restaurant Financial Services of Chick-fil-A
Paul Wiley is Senior Director of Restaurant Financial Services @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Alejandro Dominguez
Senior Director of Real Estate of Chick-fil-A
Alejandro Dominguez is Senior Director of Real Estate @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Paul Wiley
Senior Director of Restaurant Financial Services of Chick-fil-A
Paul Wiley is Senior Director of Restaurant Financial Services @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
Cheryl Dick
Senior Director of Field Operations, Licensed Operations of Chick-fil-A
Cheryl Dick is Senior Director of Field Operations, Licensed Operations @ Chick-fil-A.
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About Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant company that offers chicken sandwich and healthy foods for its customers.
David Kay
Director of Communications of Memphis Meats
David Kay is the Head of Mission at Memphis Meats, a startup developing a way to make meat from animal cells without the need to feed, breed or slaughter actual animals. David leads the company’s efforts to mobilize its mission-based supporters at both a grassroots and institutional level, and helps develop and execute the company’s communication and business development strategies. Prior to joining Memphis Meats, David studied political science at Stanford University.
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About Memphis Meats: UPSIDE Foods produces meat directly from animal cells without the need to raise and slaughter animals.
Michael Tilley
Associate Director, Shopper Marketing & Strategic Partnerships of Mondelez International
Michael Tilley oversees shopper marketing and strategic partnerships at Mondelez International, linking customer strategies and shopper insights with brand strategies and consumer insights. The global snacks company includes Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, Ritz and other worldwide brands. Tilley’s marketing experience spans 25 years at PepsiCo, Nabisco, Kraft and Mondelez International. A Southern Illinois University graduate, Tilley serves as executive in residence at its business school. He is also a faculty member of the Path to Purchase Institute.
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About Mondelez International: Mondelez International is a branded food and beverage company that specializes in snack foods such as biscuits, chocolate, gum, and candies.
Dev Kabir Malik
Creative Director of Bira 91
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About Bira 91: Bira 91 is an India-based craft beer company that develops and produces several different varieties of craft beer.
Udi Lazimy
Plant Sourcing Director of Eat Just
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About Eat Just: Eat Just offers a plant-based egg substitute intended to provide healthy and nutritional food alternatives.
Daniel Scharff
Director of Strategy & Analytics of Eat Just
Daniel Scharff is the director of Strategy & Analytics for JUST, Silicon Valley-based company on a mission to build a food system where everyone eats well. In this capacity, Scharff is focused on global consumer insights, product pricing, and revenue strategy. Prior to JUST, Scharff worked as a strategy consultant with Deloitte, and a global pricing executive for Mars Chocolate. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School, an MA in International Studies from The Lauder Institute (UPenn), and a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College.
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About Eat Just: Eat Just offers a plant-based egg substitute intended to provide healthy and nutritional food alternatives.
Vítor Espírito Santo
Director, Cellular Agriculture of Eat Just
Vitor is the Director of Cellular Agriculture at JUST, leading a biotechnology and cell culture program towards the development of cultured meat. His main focus is to select animals and breeds of interest and strategically isolate, identify and characterize novel cell candidates amenable for manufacturing. The main mission of JUST is to produce cultured meat that is affordable, delicious and available to everyone while simultaneously overcoming food safety, environmental and ethical hurdles that they’re facing nowadays with conventional meat productio
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About Eat Just: Eat Just offers a plant-based egg substitute intended to provide healthy and nutritional food alternatives.
Chris Jones
Director of Culinary Innovation of Eat Just
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About Eat Just: Eat Just offers a plant-based egg substitute intended to provide healthy and nutritional food alternatives.
Jessica Elkus
Director of Communications of Eat Just
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About Eat Just: Eat Just offers a plant-based egg substitute intended to provide healthy and nutritional food alternatives.
Raj Moonesinghe
Director of FInance / Fund Manager of inKind
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About inKind: inKind finances restaurants by purchasing large amounts of food and beverage credits upfront, and then selling that F&B credit to consumers.
Matt Saeta
Director of inKind
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About inKind: inKind finances restaurants by purchasing large amounts of food and beverage credits upfront, and then selling that F&B credit to consumers.
Brooks J. Kelly
Founder; Director of MycoTechnology
Dr. Kelly began his career as a healer in medical and environmental mycology doing cancer research after earning a PhD studying DNA Repair and the Cell Cycle from Pennsylvania State University’s Dept. of Molecular Biology.
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About MycoTechnology: MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products.
Eric Torgerson
Managing Director of Hilo Nutrition
Eric Torgerson and Andrew Sauer founded HiLo Nutrition in 2019, since which they have been serving as its managing directors.
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About Hilo Nutrition: Hilo Nutrition is changing the sports nutrition game one gummy at a time.
Darla Johnson
Director, Voice Of The Customer of Panera Bread
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About Panera Bread: Thirty years ago, we started with one goal: to bake fresh bread from fresh dough every day in every bakery-cafe.
Meryl Natow
Co-Founder, Creative Director of Chirps Chips (Six Foods)
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About Chirps Chips (Six Foods): Chirps Chips is a creating edible insect foods for healthyeating and sustainability.
Jim Perkins
Director of Operations of Albertsons LLC
Jim Perkins has spent the last 30 years as a pacesetting leader in the grocery industry. Jim’s passion for the grocery business began in 1982 at Albertson’s as a courtesy clerk, and he developed into a key leader for them in several areas of the country. He served as Vice President of Operations for Albertsons Inc., and Director of Operations for Albertsons LLC’s Southern Division. Jim left Albertsons and joined Giant Foods, LLC as a Regional Vice President, but returned to Albertsons as the president of Acme Markets in 2012. He was named EVP of Operations, East Region in April 2015. Jim received his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
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About Albertsons LLC: Albertsons is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale.
James Gardikas
Director of Content Marketing of Factor_
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About Factor_: Factor is a subscription-based prepared meal delivery service that delivers dietitian-designed, chef-crafted meals.
Gregory Abel
Board Of Director of Kraft Heinz
Mr. Abel was appointed to The Kraft Heinz Company board of directors effective July 2015 and previously served on the Heinz board from June 2013 to July 2015. Mr. Abel has served on the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Board (since 2000), and has served as Chairman (since 2011), Chief Executive Officer (since 2008) and President (since 1998). Berkshire Hathaway Energy is an electric and natural gas service provider with more than 11.5 million customers worldwide. The Berkshire Hathaway Energy energy-related businesses include AltaLink, L.P., BHE Pipeline Group, BHE Renewables, BHE U.S. Transmission, HomeServices of America, Inc., MidAmerican Energy Company, Northern Powergrid Holdings Company, NV Energy, Inc. and PacifiCorp. Mr. Abel serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PacifiCorp; as Chairman and Director of Northern Natural Gas Company, Northern Powergrid Holdings Company and NV Energy, Inc., and as Director of AltaLink Management Ltd. and HomeServices of America, Inc. Mr. Abel serves on the board and executive committee of the Edison Electric Institute and also serves as a director on the AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc., Kum & Go, L.C. and Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited board of directors. Mr. Abel serves on the American Football Coaches Foundation board of directors and on the executive board of the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America, and is a past member of the Drake University board of trustees.
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About : The Kraft Heinz Company is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America
L. Kevin Cox
Board Of Director of Kraft Heinz
Mr. Cox was appointed to The Kraft Heinz Company board of directors effective July 2015 and previously served on the Kraft board from October 2012 to July 2015. Mr. Cox has served as Chief Human Resources Officer of American Express Company, a global provider of payment solutions and travel-related services for consumers and businesses, since April 2005. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at PepsiCo, Inc., a food and beverage company, and The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., a beverage manufacturing company, where he served in a variety of leadership positions in strategy, business development, technology and human resources. Mr. Cox is currently a director of CEB Inc. and was formerly a director of the Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. Mr. Cox received a Bachelor’s Degree from Marshall University and a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University.
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About : The Kraft Heinz Company is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America
Thomas Lines
Founder and Director of FRS
Thomas Lines is the founder and director of [FRS](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/frs#/entity), a line of nutritional products that include ready-to-drink beverages, chews, powdered drink mixes, shots, and concentrates. He currently resides in Foster City, California.
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About FRS: FRS offers a line of nutritional products that include ready-to-drink beverages, chews, powdered drink mixes, shots and concentrates.
Mark Barry
Director of Sales – Boston of Fooda
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About Fooda: Fooda is a food technology platform that connects restaurants to people while at work.
Jerry Kahn
Partner, Managing Director of Beechwood Capital
A veteran of the housewares industry for over 35 years, Kahn founded The Holmes Group in 1982 based on a simple vision: the development of home environment products featuring superior fashion and function while utilizing Far East manufacturing. Over the next 24 years as Chairman/CEO, Kahn grew The Holmes Group into an $800 million company focused on product innovation, brand development and low-cost manufacturing across home environment, kitchen and lighting products. During this time, The Holmes Group with the help of Berkshire Partners acquired The Rival Company (and the Rival®, Crock-Pot® and Seal-a-Meal® brands), expanded its operations globally and built its own two million square foot facility in Guangdong, China. In 2005, Kahn and Berkshire Partners sold the company to Jarden Corporation, in a strategic acquisition, for $660 million. Kahn has earned a B.S. in Marketing from American International College. He was named a finalist for the 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
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About Beechwood Capital: Beechwood Capital is a Boston-based investment group that identifies and invests in low-middle market growth and venture stage companies.
Larry Kahn
Partner, Managing Director of Beechwood Capital
A seasoned manager with over 15 years of experience in integrated marketing management, brand strategy, sales and operations, Kahn has worked with world-class brands such as Reebok®, TiVo®, Sears® and Ameritrade®. Kahn spent his early career with Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide as a Partner, Management Supervisor, leading both the Sears® and Ameritrade® accounts and managing over $60 million in billings. Kahn later developed and managed the over $20 million annual brand strategy budget and communications campaigns for Reebok International’s RBK® brand. Most recently, Kahn led the $170 million Food Storage division at the Jarden Corporation. During this time, Kahn was responsible for the Foodsaver® and Seal-a-Meal® brands’ product development, manufacturing, sourcing and $10 million marketing communications budget. Kahn has earned a B.S. in Marketing from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from The Anderson School at UCLA. He currently sits on the boards of IdeaPaint and Genetic and serves as a board observer for Robert Graham.
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About Beechwood Capital: Beechwood Capital is a Boston-based investment group that identifies and invests in low-middle market growth and venture stage companies.
David Fischer
Member of the Board of Directors & Member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of Balchem
Fischer served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Greif, Inc. from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2015 and as President of Greif, Inc. from October 2007 to October 31, 2015. Greif, Inc. is a manufacturer and provider of industrial packaging and services including steel, fiber, flexible, corrugated, intermediate bulk, reconditioned and multiwall containers and containerboard, and filing, packaging, industrial packaging reconditioning and land management consulting services for a wide range of industries. From 2007 to October 2011, Mr. Fischer also served as Chief Operating Officer of Greif, Inc. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Fischer served as Senior Vice President and Divisional President, Industrial Packaging & Services-Americas, which also included responsibility for Africa. He assumed additional responsibility for Australia and Asia in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Mr. Fischer is also a director and member of the audit and compensation committees of Balchem Corporation, a manufacturer of performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical and medical sterilization industries. He also serves as a director of the following not-for-profit entities: Habitat for Humanity International, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Zanmi Beni Foundation. Mr. Fischer holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University.
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About : Balchem provides state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide.
Kirsten Curtis
Managing Director of The Food Fund
Kirsten Curtis is a Managing Director at the Food Fund, a venture capital firm in San Francisco dedicated to reducing the total cost of food throughout the value chain by leveraging technological innovations. Prior to coming on board, she served as the VP of Supply Chain Strategic Initiatives overseeing the merger between Safeway and Albertson’s supply chains. Before coming to Safeway, Kirsten worked in marketing, consulting, and manufacturing. She has a broad experience in big data sharing and visualization, demand planning, forecasting, contract negotiation, supplier selection, and outsourcing, as well as direct experience with project management and industrial engineering. Kirsten earned her BS in International Relations from Stanford University and her Master’s of Engineering in Supply Chain Management and Logistics from MIT-Zaragoza. Kirsten has lived in 4 countries and speaks 5 languages. In her free-time, Kirsten enjoys kite-surfing, traveling, and competing in triathlons.
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About The Food Fund: The Food Fund is a venture capital fund that aims to reduce the total cost of food throughout the value chain
Rocco Strazza
Senior Director Finance & Operations of Direct Eats
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About Direct Eats: Direct Eats is a distributor and provider in the online food industry.
