I am a Specialty Food & Beverage content expert, marketing consultant, strategic advisor and business coach to entrepreneurs and organizations at every stage of their evolution.

Leading national marketing efforts for a multi-million dollar campaign to increase awareness, education and consumption of wines from Ribera del Duero and Rueda; Spain’s most prestigious regions for red and white wines. Focus on Specialty and Independent sectors and forging media and other promotional partnerships for this multi-year US Campaign by Taste Network LLC.

Co-Founded a grassroots, nationwide all-volunteer task force of industry organizations and thought leaders coalescing to save the American Specialty and Artisan Cheese Industry in the face of the 30-80% market collapse stemming from the COVID-19 Crisis. Victory Cheese was just acquired by the American Cheese Society to serve as the organization's B2C voice for specialty cheese from America moving forward. During its time as a crisis vehicle, significant awareness and significant sales rebound were created since its inception through a multi-faceted campaign designed to spark awareness, with a call to action, using the hashtag #ChooseItOrLoseIt www.victorycheese.comKEY CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:• Rallying Element: "Victory Cheese Boxes", a cheese gift box concept in support of American cheesemakers inspired by the Victory Gardens of World War II. Sales of well over $2M to date. Over 135 purveyors from all over the country, from small farms and cheese shops to large online retailers such as iGourmet, Jasper Hill Farm, Cowgirl Creamery and Murray's Cheese.• Earned Media: Obtained placements to date include NC's Today Show, Food & Wine Magazine, NPR, Martha Stewart Living, Boston Globe, Washington Post and more.• Celebrity Influencers: Recruited high profile food thought leaders to endorse, curate and promote their own Victory Cheese Boxes via IGTV and other social media. They include chefs Andrew Zimmern, Stephanie Izard, Marcus Samuelsson, Rick Bayless, Art Smith and others.• Merchandising: In-Store and Online awareness and educational merchandising in large and small retailers including Whole Foods Market.• Philanthropy: At least 10% of each Victory Cheese Box sale benefits a food, agricultural or social justice not-for-profit chosen by the purveyor.

Created and grew a small neighborhood specialty food and wine business from conception to an $8M national award winning multi-unit retailer/wine bar restaurants with 125 employees. Built high awareness and loyalty through robust high-touch consumer marketing strategy (Tasting, Learning & Converting) along with a heavy emphasis on earned media, along with impactful social media, affinity and digital programs. Lines of business included two highly reviewed wine bar restaurants, catering, cheese wholesale and e-commerce.Responsible for Marketing/Marketing Strategy/Consumer Insights, Sales, Procurement, Catering/Gifting and shared management of Operations. Highlights and Honors Received: Twice awarded Outstanding Specialty Food Retailer of the Year by the Specialty Food Association (2007 and 2012) Named one of America’s best cheese shops by Saveur Magazine (2005) and a number of other local and national publications over time Selected for Chicago’s Food & Bev Hot 50 List (2015, 2017, 2019) Three times named to Oprah’s Favorite Things (2009, 2010, 2013) Created branded collections for Williams-Sonoma Catalog (2008-2010) Featured on The Food Network, NBC’s Today Show and other media Featured in nationally aired CitiBusiness Aadvantage Platinum Select Business Card commercial and multi media campaign (2017-2018)

Largest trade association in specialty food industry, representing over $125B in sales and ~3500 members. Peer evaluated 2nd most effective director from a board of sixteen. While serving:• Successfully championed major changes to SFA’s bylaws, tripling retailer membership sector board representation and the ability for a retailer to serve as a board officer or chair.• Served on Budget & Audit Committee for this $80M association. Interviewed and hired new Audit firm• Served on Nominating Committee and also as part of team that hired new CEO for SFA

Chaired the Board of Directors of the leading cheese industry trade association in North America during a critical inflection point in the organization's history; as serious regulatory threats loomed. During leadership term (served on board total of seven years):• Brought senior FDA leaders to the table to reach a mutual understanding on risk mitigation and appropriate oversight for the traditional production and sale of cheese.• Spearheaded cross industry collaboration on a cohesive strategy to engage regulatory authorities and . Partnered with others taking a political/legislative approach.• Testified before joint hearings of FDA/USDA/CDC on critical issues facing the industry• Represented USA at inaugural International Confederation of Cheesemongers at Slow Food World Cheese Festival in Italy• Stewarded the launch of highly successful Certified Cheese Professional Exam (CCP) accreditation program for cheese akin to the sommelier accreditation for wine professionals. Other countries have subsequently adopted versions of this program as have other US industry associations.

Collaborated with top clients Verizon Wireless and Alltel and led Motorola’s marketing strategy and new product development, launches and promotions for a $1.3B business. Projects included high profile ‘Push-to-Talk’ market entry.

Co-Developed the marketing strategy and globally rolled out market-leading disposable youth instant cameras, which became the #1 and #3 selling cameras in the world at the time. Primary product development and launch responsibility for the Joycam line, adaptation of the i-Zone line, and management of existing adult product portfolio as well as new product pipeline and concept development. Championed first ever global segmentation strategy as part of a core brand repositioning initiative. Managed $600M business with a core team of four and two large cross-functional teams

Managed $200M Airfone air-to-ground telephony business reporting to the Division President. Grew revenues 35% and market share to 62% by instituting co-marketing relationships with airlines like United and Delta, marketing alliances with Bloomberg Business and The Weather Channel as well as effective CRM programs. Responsible for all consumer marketing functions with a staff of fifteen. Reduced marketing costs 30% and exceeded all EBITDA goals. Served on GTE’s national Corporate Brand Council which developed the company’s first ever brand ad campaign and initial brand work on the merger with Bell Atlantic to become Verizon

Graduate of Colgate’s Global Marketing Management Program, deployed abroad to brand management positions of increasing responsibility and scale. Last position with above titles managed $120M P&L. Key achievements: Achieved first German toothpaste category market leadership over Procter & Gamble in 26 years through successfully launching Colgate Total Toothpaste in Germanic Region. Leadership realized with minimal portfolio cannibalization and expanded market shares in ancillary oral care categories. Merged Germanic Region’s self-standing consumer and Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals professional oral care businesses into one cohesive business group; cutting costs and maximizing portfolio and logistics.  From a base in Budapest, successfully launched newly acquired Mennen family of brands pan-regionally in Central Europe, exceeding share goals by 25 percent. Developed Mennen Speed Stick multi-country TV ad campaign. Created the business plan, integrated and managed the acquisition of Fabulon, a famous local Hungarian personal care products company. Tripled sales, while trimming and re-launching product line