STRATEGIC FUSIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Sensory and Consumer Testing
Beth is an accomplished sensory and consumer research professional with over 25 years experience in directing consumer insight initiatives with leading brands including Campbell Soup Company and Johnson & Johnson. She has led Sensory & Consumer Research functions across North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Her strength lies in her in-depth product knowledge and extensive experience in leveraging consumer research in a variety of categories including food, beauty and personal care, household care, as well as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Beth applies both traditional and cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative approaches to guide consumer-driven product development and identify new product opportunities. Beth has a B.S. in Food Science and also completed graduate course work in Food Science. She can be reached at broche@strategicfusions.com.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO, Key Impact Sales & Systems Inc., a Leading Full Service Sales Agency in the Foodservice Industry
Dan Cassidy - President and CEO, Key Impact Sales & Systems Inc., a leading full service sales agency in the foodservice industry
Dot is an accomplished food scientist with more than 25 years of experience at tier 1-food companies. Her vast range of experience includes product development, quality and breakthrough innovation at Campbell's and General Foods. She has worked on powdered beverages, fruit juices, refrigerated puddings, condensed and ready to serve soups (frozen and heat processed), frozen meals, hot fill sauces, and concentrated and aseptic ready to serve broths. She has led successful commercialization of various categories, in the USA, China and Australia. Dot has a BS in Nutrition and completed her graduate course work in Food Science. Contact her at dhall@strategicfusions.
Job Titles:
- Science Fellow in Nutrition
Dr. Chor San Khoo - Science Fellow in Nutrition and Life Sciences, at ILSI. A well respected nutrition science leader, Dr. Khoo has a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience as an expert in food nutrition and clinical research.
Dr. Robbie Burns - President, Nutrition Implications, LLC. A seasoned Research & Development leader in the food industry with specific expertise in nutrition science and scientific affairs.
Dr. Burns has extensive experience in applying nutrition science globally to deliver product innovations that drive financial performance.
Hallum Bailey - An intellectual property law expert with experiences both at corporations and law firms. He is adept in innovation best practices, strategic patent portfolio management and global patent filing protocols. His current practice focuses on competitive technical intelligence, license agreements and sponsored research.
George Shapiro - President, Del-Val, a leader in specialty food ingredients. George is very well connected globally in the specialty food ingredients market.
Job Titles:
- Product Design and Culinary
An experienced professional chef with more than 10 years at leading hotels in England and India. He is well versed with different cuisines and has passion for experimenting with ingredients and cooking techniques to create new sensory experiences. Contact him at gdham@strategicfusions.
Job Titles:
- Nutritionals Product Development
Jim has been in the nutrition business for more than 25 years with companies like Mead Johnson, Novartis & Nestle where he held a variety of leadership roles in R&D, QC, Innovation, and Technical Services. He has experience in designing and commercializing targeted nutritional & nutraceutical products across various demographics (e.g. infants, toddlers, women, seniors and etc.) & formats (powders, liquids, shakes, puddings and bars). Jim has worked in the US, Canada, Mexico & Brazil. He holds a diploma in Chemical Engineering and a graduate degree in Chemistry. jgrosjean@strategicfusions.
Kevin Chumney - President, RKC Regulatory Consulting Service. Kevin has held senior regulatory affairs positions at leading food companies. Now he has an independent consulting practice.
Job Titles:
- Market Research, Trends & Foresights
Expert in social science, statistics and popular culture, Kevin has over 25 years of experience with both companies and as an independent consultant. After working for almost a decade at P&G, Kevin started a marketing consulting company specializing in research. He has extensive innovation research experience in both retail and foodservice food, beverage and nutrition industry. He also has extensive B2B experience. He helps team with ethnography and moderating ideation sessions, and consumer groups. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and has graduate degree in Statistics and graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy. Contact him at kknight@strategicfusions.com
Job Titles:
- Beverage Product Development
A beverage industry expert with 22 years of experience across all categories. Louis led beverage development at Coca-Cola for both established and new brands in Europe, Africa and the USA. He has worked with all major beverage technologies like aseptic filling, pasteurization technologies, high-throughput screening assays for micro-materials and extraction technologies (chemical and physical, like spinning cone). An expert in beverage design, he is excellent at translating consumer needs into science and vice versa. Contact him at lheinsz@strategicfusions.com
Mansoor's focus lies in seeking innovation at the convergence of technology and marketing. Over his 16 years with The Coca-Cola Company, Mansoor led innovation projects in various markets across Asia-Pacific, North America and Africa, spanning diverse domains from packaging, retail merchandising, cooling /vending equipment to brand promotions, event presence and mobile marketing. He holds a bachelor's degree in science and an MBA in marketing. Contact him at msiddiqi@strategicfusions.
Job Titles:
- President & Chief Innovator
An accomplished strategic marketer, thinker, and innovation leader with unique combination of manufacturing and financial experiences. Raminder has 18 years of CPG experience at P&G, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, The Coca-Cola Company, & Campbell's where he held variety of leadership roles in strategy, innovation and brand management. With experience in both retail and foodservice, he has extensive knowledge in strategic planning, external development, ideation, developing and commercializing new businesses/ brands and innovation management. He holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from University of Toronto. Raminder has worked in the USA, Canada and India. Contact him at rbindra@strategicfusions.com
Robert Hocking - Principal, Hocking Consulting Services. A passionate foodie who has held senior leadership roles in strategic planning & design at leading agencies like Fitch, Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy. He is based in London.
Job Titles:
- Sales Executive
- Vice President
Rodger Smith - Vice President, Sysco, experienced sales executive with strong connections across retail and food service industries.
Sandy MacPherson - Sandy has been at the forefront of ingredient and technology innovation in the dietary supplement and functional food and beverage industries for 25 years as a CEO and a senior executive at both Fortune 500 and smaller early stage companies.
Job Titles:
- Food Safety & Supply Chain
A Strategic Supply Chain and Operations Planning expert, Tom has worked for more than 30 years in food processing and packaging. He has extensive experience in product commercialization, scale up and contract manufacturing. His industry experience expands across a variety of processes: thermal, aseptic, frozen and refrigerated, and product architecture covers sauces, soups, beverages, entrees and baked goods. Tom has worked in NA and Europe. A project management and engineering expert, he is well versed in USDA, FDA and HACCP protocols. Tom holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering & an MBA. Contact him at tfung@strategicfusions.