Founder and President of consumer products company launched to develop, distribute, and market products that use monk fruit as a sweetener to provide natural, pure sweetness to beverages and foods without adding calories.Launched initial product in October, 2019 - llinea™ monk fruit, a single ingredient natural, zero calorie, zero glycemic index, non-gmo product used primarily as a sweetener added to beverages and foods. It is simply the extracted juice of the monk fruit, concentrated to provide easy use in coffee, tea, smoothies, yogurt, and many other foods and beverages where a little sweetness creates great taste. A perfect product for people seeking a zero-calorie natural alternative to sugar, particularly as part of a low carb lifestyle.https://www.llineamonkfruit.us/https://monkfruit.us/

Serve as advisor to entrepreneurs of innovative new products for business structure, financial modeling, fundraising, operating strategies and plans, with emphasis on ecommerce business models• Led formation of ecommerce consumer business for co-founders, including financial modeling, investor presentations, business plan development, consumer research, and launch planning; early 2019 Indiegogo campaign and national launch late 2019• Partnered with consumer products entrepreneur to develop business strategy, product portfolio, and business structure • Evaluated more than 20 small companies for potential acquisition

Hired into a newly created post-acquisition role to lead the North America business unit and serve on the Global Leadership Team. Managed ten direct reports and reported to the CEO. Integral role in acquisition target evaluations including management presentations and commercial due diligence. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Established growth strategy within first 90 days; gained board approval for innovative new product portfolio launch under Whole Earth brand➤Drove efforts to gain national distribution of Whole Earth across Retail and Food Service Channels by presenting to top customers including Starbucks, McDonalds, Walmart, Target, Costco, Sams Club, BJ Club, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Wakefern.➤Elevated Equal brand sweetener performance by increasing distribution, levering brand equity across new product innovations, and targeting promotional activities to increase sales.➤Retained key customer private label business and secured new business through effective negotiation; improved margins➤Tapped to lead Customer Service team through restructure; improved monthly cash flow through speed to invoice and reduction in deductions; elevated custom service performance levels to rebuild sales team and customer trust.

Hired to develop and launch branded consumer packaged goods stevia business SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Directed all aspects of the consumer brand business element of a global commercial launch of the stevia ingredient, including consumer business strategy, product development, budget and P&L, manufacturing, sales and marketing.➤Achieved 80%+ ACV Retail distribution within 90 days of launch by creating sales training and customer presentation materials; presented to key customers, including Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Whole Foods.➤Achieved first to market advantage and sustained market leadership with 55% of natural, zero-calorie sugar substitute segment; 14% share (#2 brand position) of zero-calorie sugar substitute category.➤Recognized leader and top performer that received the Chairman’s Award for Innovation.

Established Chicago office with partner to leverage Bolin capabilities in the delivery of marketing, strategy, and project management consulting services. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Led Cargill engagement that resulted in the launch of Truvia natural sweetener.

Recruited to drive change and growth in $90M+ revenue region. Managed five direct reports with 100+ client service associates who delivered product purchase information, insights, and recommendations to client marketing and category management teams. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Achieved +7.5% in revenue growth in 2005 and +6.7% in 2004.➤Developed pricing strategies and negotiated, secured, and managed multi-year, multimillion-dollar contracts with industry leading clients such as SCJohnson, Kimberly Clark, DelMonte, Dr. Pepper/Snapple, Coors, and Wrigley.➤Improved performance by establishing monthly review of project pipeline and revenue forecast vs. actual results.➤Achieved recruiting and retention targets in close collaboration with HR; improved identification, development, and advancement of high-potential employees.

Evaluated middle market CPG acquisition targets for private equity fund; performed industry, category, competitive, and business strategy reviews for input into the development of acquisition strategies and valuation models.

Promoted to lead $165M+ North America region achievement of P&L and balance sheet objectives. Managed five direct reports. Reported to President and CEO and was member of Corporate Governance and Global Management Councils. Restructured trade and distributor incentive programs resulting in improved broker and customer relationships, double-digit channel growth, margin improvement, and improved working capital.SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Led turnaround by developing annual and long-range business strategies that resulted in volume, revenue, and operating earnings growth. Achieved results through brand portfolio management, trade and consumer marketing programs, and emphasis on lean manufacturing.➤Improved cash flow $7M+ by decreasing inventories, renegotiating receivables, and managing payables.➤Integral to the $575M divestiture by Monsanto that created Merisant.➤Successfully led business team through transition to stand alone business.MERISANT, INC., (created from sale of business by Monsanto, Inc.), Chicago, IL Director of Marketing, North America (Monsanto) 1997-1998Hired to transform marketing department structure and marketing strategies. Led eight direct reports and reported to VP/GM.SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:➤Drove $10M marketing department cost savings and improved marketing program performance via consumer segmentation analysis and actionable, insight driven strategies.➤Improved market share by rapidly launching Nutrasweet brand Sweetmate brand tabletop products in four months.➤Reduced agency costs 15% by consolidating to an integrated agency structure.

Hired to re-build marketing department and lead development and implementation of consumer and customer marketing strategies and plans for Equal brand sweetener. Reported to General Manager, North America. Member of North America Leadership Team. Eight direct reports.• Developed consumer segment analysis and insight driven strategies that reduced marketing costs by $10 million and increased program effectiveness, with key program delivering +26% volume gain.• Developed food service distributor strategies, resulting in annual volume growth of 5-7%.• Launched two new brands in four months, contributing to market share growth.• Realigned agencies to improve integration and efficiency, reducing agency costs by 15%.

Valassis Sampling & In-Store Marketing

In various positions gained traditional consumer packaged goods marketing training and managed brands, including P&L, new products, advertising, consumer promotion, trade marketing for Kraft Mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Planter's Peanuts (prior to Kraft acquisition).Additional position in Promotion Strategy at Kraft managing Kraft equity-leveraging consumer programs, database marketing, and emerging marketing tactics