AL GEVER
Al Gever is a distinguished expert in brand innovation and financial strategy in the food and beverage industry, with an extensive career marked by high-level roles in various leading companies.
Chief Financial Officer at Green Peak Innovations (Jul 2021 – Jul 2022): Al served as CFO, where he was pivotal in financial strategy and operations, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and stability.
President at Green Peak Innovations (Apr 2020 – Jun 2021): As President, Al oversaw major strategic initiatives, leading the company through crucial phases of development and expansion.
Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer at Green Peak Innovations (Oct 2019 – Apr 2020): In this dual role, Al effectively managed both financial and operational aspects, driving efficiency and innovation.
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Chief Financial Officer at Twinlab Consolidation Corporation (Mar 2017 – Dec 2018): At Twinlab, Al led the Finance, IT, and Supply Chain departments, playing a key role in the company’s market positioning with products like Twinlab vitamins and supplements, and Reserveage nutrition products.
Chief Financial Officer at Spice Chain, Inc. (Apr 2015 – Aug 2016): Al’s leadership in financial consolidation and strategic restructuring was instrumental in the effective integration and optimization of operations at Spice Chain.
Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer at Vitalicious, Inc. (Nov 2013 – Apr 2015): His tenure at Vitalicious was marked by significant improvements in financial management and operational efficiency, contributing to the company’s growth in the health and wellness sector.
Chief Financial Officer at Mavis Tire Supply (2012 – 2013): Al played a critical role in preparing the company for potential acquisition, enhancing its financial and operational foundations.
Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer at Smart Balance, Inc. (Jun 2007 – Mar 2012): Al managed diverse functions including finance and strategic business development, instrumental in transitioning the company from a private to a public entity.
Principal at Northpointe Consulting Group (2006 – 2007): He provided executive-level expertise to various clients, focusing on financial and general management.
Chief Executive Officer at CCW Holdings Inc. | BioSprings International (2003 – 2006): As CEO, Al was key in developing and launching the SANFAUSTINO brand, establishing a robust supply chain and sales network.
Chief Financial Officer at Ultimate Juice Company (2001 – 2003): Al led key financial operations and played a crucial role in the brand’s acquisition by PepsiCo.
President | Co-CEO at ShareMax, Inc. (1999 – 2001): As a founding partner, he was instrumental in the company’s strategic direction and growth.
Vice President | General Manager at Nabisco (1998 – 1999): Al successfully led a 0 million operating company, managing significant brands and overseeing the sale of the business to ConAgra.
Vice President | Head of Global Procurement at Nabisco (1997 – 1998): He established global procurement protocols, significantly contributing to the company’s financial savings.
Chief Financial Officer at Nabisco Refrigerated Products Group (1992 – 1997): His leadership in finance and new business development was key to Nabisco’s growth and operational efficiency.
Al’s career is characterized by his ability to blend financial acumen with operational expertise, driving growth and innovation in every role he has undertaken. His wealth of experience and strategic insights make him an invaluable asset in the realm of brand development and financial strategy in the food and beverage industry.
JIM HARFORD
Jim Harford is among the most experienced executives in the beverage industry. He served as president of the 7UP Company, president of Mid-Atlantic Coca Cola Bottling Co., president of Canada Dry Mid South, president of Royal Crown company owned plants, and was an independent owner operator of the largest 7UP bottler in the world. Jim consults to beverage company CEO’s in the US and internationally.
JASON KERN
Jason Kern has deep CPG strategy, marketing, sales and operations experience. He currently serves as EVP Sales & Marketing at Healing Solutions, the fastest growing e-commerce essential oil brand in the US. Earlier service includes the Executive Leadership Team at NJOY, the leading independent e-vapor brand, during a restructuring and brand restage that drove phenomenal growth, and key sales positions at Altria. (Linkedin)
Experience:
Doctor Safe logo
President & General ManagerPresident & General Manager
Doctor Safe · Full-timeDoctor Safe · Full-time
May 2021 – Present · 2 yrs 8 mosMay 2021 – Present · 2 yrs 8 mos
San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, California, United States
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Doctor Safe is a well-capitalized startup bringing quality, consistency, and simplicity to the health and household product categories. Our mission is to deliver the highest-quality products within the categories in which we operate, becoming a “go-to” brand that moms trust and choose. We are honest and integrity driven in everything we do, and we are a company that delivers on the tenants we market. We are passionate about identifying categories that are ripe for disruption, and where there is a need for elevation of quality and value. We take pride in knowing that we are an innovative catalyst. Beyond this, we strive for the highest standards of sustainability, customer service, and care.
Key accomplishments to date include:
• Built proprietary data analytics tool to identify and act on market opportunities in real-time, developing and launching 10 new products across 3 categories, with future products in development
• Identified and engaged agency partner to develop brand/product assets and messaging
• Engaged marketing agency to build brand awareness, trial, and conversion in support of an e-com and DTC launch, followed by retail execution
• Developed multiyear operating plan approved by parent company investors
• Established a forward-leaning product development plan to identify and execute against white space opportunities
• Built and developed a top talent pipeline to support launch and execution efforts
• Fostering a culture with an aggressive operational tempo and high level of employee engagementDoctor Safe is a well-capitalized startup bringing quality, consistency, and simplicity to the health and household product categories. Our mission is to deliver the highest-quality products within the categories in which we operate, becoming a “go-to” brand that moms trust and choose. We are honest and integrity driven in everything we do, and we are a company that delivers on the tenants we market. We are passionate about identifying categories that are ripe for disruption, and where there is a need for elevation of quality and value. We take pride in knowing that we are an innovative catalyst. Beyond this, we strive for the highest standards of sustainability, customer service, and care. Key accomplishments to date include: • Built proprietary data analytics tool to identify and act on market opportunities in real-time, developing and launching 10 new products across 3 categories, with future products in development • Identified and engaged agency partner to develop brand/product assets and messaging • Engaged marketing agency to build brand awareness, trial, and conversion in support of an e-com and DTC launch, followed by retail execution • Developed multiyear operating plan approved by parent company investors •
Established a forward-leaning product development plan to identify and execute against white space opportunities • Built and developed a top talent pipeline to support launch and execution efforts • Fostering a culture with an aggressive operational tempo and high level of employee engagement…see more
Healing Solutions Essential Oils logo
Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing (Senior Team)Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing (Senior Team)
Healing Solutions Essential OilsHealing Solutions Essential Oils
Mar 2017 – Apr 2021 · 4 yrs 2 mosMar 2017 – Apr 2021 · 4 yrs 2 mos
Scottsdale, AZScottsdale, AZ
Designed and directed retail expansion strategy (including sales, marketing, and operations) for the fastest growing ecommerce
essential oil brand in the U.S. with goal of maximizing enterprise value for a strategic exit within 3 years. Led
M&A efforts, resulting in numerous PEG and strategic offers with an exit in Jan. 2021.
• Achieved record sales of $52.7MM in 2018, with an operating margin of 72.5% and company revenue and EBITDA
growth from 2015 – 2018 of 60% CAGR and 53% CAGR, respectively.
• Secured product test in Costco, overseeing all aspects of product and packaging development and execution – including
design, production and fulfillment, resulting in an $8MM in annualized incremental revenue.
• Built infrastructure to support retail expansion, including: a modular merchandising system, scalable retail fulfillment
system, third party consumer research to guide branding decisions, sales tools, and a brand management system.Designed and directed retail expansion strategy (including sales, marketing, and operations) for the fastest growing ecommerce essential oil brand in the U.S. with goal of maximizing enterprise value for a strategic exit within 3 years. Led M&A efforts, resulting in numerous PEG and strategic offers with an exit in Jan. 2021. • Achieved record sales of $52.7MM in 2018, with an operating margin of 72.5% and company revenue and EBITDA growth from 2015 – 2018 of 60% CAGR and 53% CAGR, respectively. • Secured product test in Costco, overseeing all aspects of product and packaging development and execution – including design, production and fulfillment, resulting in an $8MM in annualized incremental revenue. • Built infrastructure to support retail expansion, including: a modular merchandising system, scalable retail fulfillment system, third party consumer research to guide branding decisions, sales tools, and a brand management system.…see more
NJOY Electronic CigarettesNJOY Electronic Cigarettes
5 yrs 2 mos5 yrs 2 mos
Scottsdale, AZScottsdale, AZ
Vice President, SalesVice President, Sales
Sep 2016 – Mar 2017 · 7 mosSep 2016 – Mar 2017 · 7 mos
Developed national sales strategy, and orchestrated the re-launch of all NJOY products and sales activities for the nation’s largest independent e-vapor manufacturer. Member of Executive Leadership Team, accountable for driving NJOY’s national sales and marketing strategies, and assigning national growth objectives. Developed, executed and measured annual sales growth plans. Established, cultivated and maintained long-term, strategic partnerships with the nation’s Top 20 retail and wholesale customers, as well as trade groups and industry leaders.Developed national sales strategy, and orchestrated the re-launch of all NJOY products and sales activities for the nation’s largest independent e-vapor manufacturer. Member of Executive Leadership Team, accountable for driving NJOY’s national sales and marketing strategies, and assigning national growth objectives. Developed, executed and measured annual sales growth plans. Established, cultivated and maintained long-term, strategic partnerships with the nation’s Top 20 retail and wholesale customers, as well as trade groups and industry leaders.…see more
Sales Director, West RegionSales Director, West Region
Sep 2012 – Aug 2016 · 4 yrsSep 2012 – Aug 2016 · 4 yrs
Led business operations and new business development throughout the Western U.S. for nation’s largest independent e-vapor company. Ranking member of Sales Leadership Team, accountable for driving NJOY’s national sales and marketing strategies, assigning national growth objectives, and building new product launch plans. Developed, executed and measured quarterly growth plans; built strategic infrastructure to increase efficiency and drive results; secured and allocated resources to maximize team’s effectiveness. Established, cultivated and maintained long-term, strategic partnerships with Top 50 customers, trade groups and industry leaders.
ERROL SCHWEIZER
Errol is a leading retail merchandising, product development, and brand strategy expert with nearly 30 years of retail, CPG, and food service experience. This includes involvement in retail and CPG start-ups, emerging brands, and turnarounds. Raised in The Bronx, New York, he earned a degree in Biology and has held leadership positions at Whole Foods, Patagonia, General Mills, Good Eggs, and National Co-op Grocers. Throughout his career, he has launched hundreds of companies and dozens of new categories, being an innovator in plant-based, Non-GMO, Organic, pasture-raised, and whole food supply chains.
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He led Grocery merchandising for Whole Foods from 2009 until 2016, doubling sales to over $5 billion annually alongside a 300BP margin gain. In 2023, NOSH recognized him as one of their top 50 food industry notables, and Supermarket News selected him as one of their Top 25 Retail Game Changers. He received the Hemp Industry Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for over 20 years of hemp and marijuana activism, including founding a campaign to overturn the Rockefeller Drug Laws and enabling the first domestic hemp cultivation in over 70 years.
His experience spans all areas of product development, including supply chain, food safety, packaging, ingredient sourcing, pricing strategy, promotions, e-commerce, marketing, and distribution.
He is active as a Board Member and Advisor to over 20 natural products and cannabis retailers, marketers, and manufacturers. A prolific writer, public speaker, and university lecturer, he has delivered recent talks at UT Austin, Stanford, and Rice, as well as natural product expos and trade events.
CYDNEY A. WHITMOYER
Cydney is an independent beverage consultant with thirty years of experience in beverage formulation of non-alcoholic products. She offers custom development for her clients to maintain ownership of their recipes and formulations.
- Founder/Consultant Parkside Beverage.
- Food Scientist McCormick.
- Food Scientist Cadbury Schweppes.
MICHAEL HOARE
Michael Hoare with over 40 years of rich experience in the industry, has made significant contributions, including the successful launch of Ingrilli Citrus. His expertise extends notably to selling in the produce and specialty food categories. Michael has demonstrated his prowess as a Senior Advisor for Don’t Go Nuts, The BU Kombucha, and Steve’s Paleo Goods, where he played a key role in guiding their strategic direction.
With a deep understanding of the consumer packaged goods industry, Michael is adept at helping CEOs navigate the complexities of the market, avoiding costly pitfalls while driving their businesses towards achieving their goals. His extensive background, particularly in handling challenging sectors like produce and specialty foods, positions him as a valuable resource and guide in the competitive CPG landscape.
MATHIS MARTINES
Mathis Martines realizes there isn’t one pathway to success for your brand, and that’s where he comes in. Better decisions, accelerated learning, relationships that you can build on.
He began his career at IRI as the Frito Lay Project Manager. He spent 3.5 years at Whole Foods, where he finished as Regional Grocery Buyer/Category Manager. Following that, he spent 3 years at The Fresh Market as the Grocery Marketing Coordinator. In his last position at Kroger, he headed up Emerging Brands, Innovation, and Merchandising Solutions.
Through his extensive experience, he has worked with brands such as Kroger, Enlightened Ice Cream, SkinnyPop, Hi-Ball, and with distributors across the country to grow sales, improve branding and core identity, and innovate within and outside of their categories. He believes in stacking successes and building category leaders.