RHINO FOODS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Technical Services Project Manager / Department: Technical Services
I joined the Rhino Foods team in November of 2022. I am thrilled to join a company with values that resonate so deeply with me. Working previously in the super premium ice cream category, it felt like a natural fit to continue my path in the world of frozen treats. What stuck out to me…
Job Titles:
- Technical Services Director
- Technical Services Director / Department: Technical Services
I joined Rhino in April of 2016. Having known Ted for more than a dozen years, I appreciated his values and admired his principles.
My family moved from California to Vermont in 2001 to enjoy the quality of life and take advantage of an opportunity to join Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as their first quality manager when they were just more than $100 million in sales. I became responsible for the supply chain support functions of planning, purchasing, R&D, and quality. A dozen years later, and with nine manufacturing plants and revenues of over $4.5 billion, I left GMCR as the company changed directions and values. I am so pleased to work with the team at Rhino Foods and bring the methods and systems I have learned over the years to support continuous improvement and success for this great company.
Job Titles:
- Senior Demand Planning Analyst
- Senior Demand Planning Analyst / Department: Sales and Marketing
I've held many positions within Rhino's Sales and Marketing team over the years. When you've been at a place for more than twenty years, there's plenty of time for the company to determine your strengths, what you're interested in, and how it can be leveraged to support the success of customers and the company. As…
Job Titles:
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Quality Assurance Manager / Department: Technical Services
I joined Rhino Foods in 2012, and find myself more engaged and energized than ever to improve the quality and food safety of the products we make. My role within Q.A. is diverse and offers me challenges every day that motivate me to learn and grow. On a normal day, you can find me working on training presentations, supervising our Q.A. lab and Q.A. technicians, writing procedures, troubleshooting operational setbacks, collaborating on test plans, and of course, taste testing our products.
After completing my dietetics, nutrition, and food science degree at the University of Vermont, I practically walked out my front door and found a place at Rhino in the Q.A. department. I've always been a "foodie" and very passionate about sciences, so studying nutrition was the perfect avenue for me. When I was taking Organic Chemistry lab in college, I never dreamed that one day I would be able to apply it to cookie dough and even get paid to do it.
After growing up in Vermont and going to UVM, I initially felt the need to move away and experience other locations. Those feelings dissipated as I picked up new outdoor activities with the ebb and flow of the seasons. Vermont is the perfect location for adventure with the mountains, lakes, and trail networks just waiting to be explored. When making cookie dough isn't all fun and games, hitting the trails on my bike is my favorite way of re-energizing so I can come in fresh the next day.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Marketing Manager
- Associate Marketing Manager / Department: Sales and Marketing
Wherever my responsibilities position me, I work to balance precision with flexibility, optimism with honesty, and competence with lightheartedness. In support of our Certified B Corporation status, and as a standing member on Rhino's "B Team," I am charged with bringing the company's Purpose, Principles, and Vision (PPV) to life in the form of continuous improvements, leading aspects of the "next big thing," and marrying heritage with progress with the aim of being the best company we can be.
Job Titles:
- Learning & Development Manager
- Learning & Development Manager / Department: People & Culture
I am very excited to be Rhino's first Learning and Development Manager, where I have the awesome job of building a culture of learning across the organization. In this role, I will be building a curriculum that empowers employees to do their jobs well and to want to learn more.
I started my career at Collins Aerospace as a mechanical engineer after graduating from Cornell University. After a brief stint in the semiconductor industry, I entered the newly created Teaching Apprenticeship Program at Essex High School. In my 18-year career as a licensed middle and high school mathematics educator at local public and private schools, I created and executed programs that inspired and prepared young adults to be creative and practical learners and leaders.
In 2019, I found out about B Corps and envisioned a new professional path back in the corporate world that was still purpose-driven. While still working as an educator, I got involved in planning the annual B-Corp Leadership and Development conference, gig-worked with another local B-Corp, joined the board of directors for a local non-profit, and earned my Professional Project Manager (PMP) certification.
So, when Rhino posted this position in the spring of 2021, I knew it was a match made in cookie-dough heaven! I am so excited to bring all my experience developing curriculum to create a culture of learning at Rhino. Any company that places such a high priority on its employees learning and growing is where I want to be!
Outside of Rhino, I spend time with my family, dabble in endurance athletics, read, garden, and go "glamping" in our motorhome.
Job Titles:
- People Partner, Employee Experience
Job Titles:
- People Partner, Employee Benefits
- People Partner, Employee Benefits / Department: People & Culture
In 1999, I found myself searching for a job in Human Resources. I wanted to be part of a company that had a good reputation, and so I happily began my career at Rhino Foods. I am one of Rhino's People Partners with a primary focus on Employee Benefits.
I have worked in the field of Human Resources since 1987. I find the world of HR to be exciting and challenging every day. The benefits arena is never stagnant-there are always changes happening with the rules of insurance, the employment laws, compliance regulations, insurance vendors, and people's needs change, too. I am passionate about helping our employees understand the importance of insurance and understand the benefits we offer. I often find myself explaining how insurance works to an employee from another country. We have such a diverse workforce that I am always learning to appreciate other cultures and appreciate being part of the Rhino family.
The fact that Rhino is so involved in our community and known for our workplace practices is a bonus in my eyes. Prior to Rhino, I had already been involved in community efforts with United Way and through my church. In my role in our People & Culture department, and as part of the Rhino Cares team, I am able to be a key player in helping Rhino live out our Community Principle.
I truly care about helping other people, so it's a natural fit for me to work with employee benefits, planning our company functions, and working on our Wellbeing Initiative. The employees at Rhino are the reason coming to work every day is such a pleasure. Every day I wake up and hope that I can make a difference by helping at least one person.
Job Titles:
- Director of People and Culture
- Director of People and Culture / Department: People & Culture
I am thrilled to be joining Rhino Foods as the Director of People and Culture. I feel privileged to be leading a team that is part of a company deeply committed to enhancing the experience of our employees on a daily basis. Rhino's reputation in the community as a leader and innovator of the employee experience is what originally caught my attention and encouraged me to join on to this amazing community. What I have learned is that the company's commitment to the people who are here doing the work every day extends beyond their purpose and values and is deeply rooted in the day-to-day operations. This type of commitment inspires me as a leader to do the work that we do.
Prior arriving at Rhino Foods, I served as principal of a local high school. Making this transition has seemed like a natural fit for my experience in cultivating community, just in a different setting. I feel fortunate to remain working within the greater Burlington community and engaging in work that is focused on the experience of our employees. As a Director I hope to utilize my own skills, training, and expertise in building community and connection to enhance the experience of our Rhino employees.
When I am not at work you can find me outside and spending time with my children, spouse, and dog, hanging with family and friends, or trying new recipes to share with others.
Job Titles:
- Quality Systems Manager
- Quality Systems Manager / Department: Technical Services
I moved to New Jersey after college, but soon decided that it wasn't for me. When I came back to Vermont, I saw an opening for a Q.A. Technician at Rhino Foods. When I checked out the website, I thought to myself, "Who wouldn't want to work in a company that makes cookie dough and ice cream sandwiches?" I took the job and about a year later, moved up to the Q.A. Supervisor position.
During college, I had several internships at a pharmaceutical company which helped me become more detail-oriented and learn how important procedures and policies are to ensuring the quality of the products. My honesty is also very critical to my current position as Quality Systems Manager, both with our suppliers and with our customers. I work with a dedicated team within the Q.A. department. We ensure that our products meet quality and food safety standards and that our policies and procedures meet current regulations and the requirements of our customers.
I've stayed at Rhino since 2005 because I love the people here and how the business is run. I never imagined I would work at a company where the owner comes to ask me what my mother's bike race time was from the weekend.
Job Titles:
- Senior R & D Food Technologist
- Senior R & D Food Technologist / Department: Technical Services
When thinking about a college degree, I was leaning toward chemistry, but I felt that it wasn't enough of an applied science for me. I stumbled upon Food Science and Technology while doing a tour of Université Laval in Québec City. I immediately fell in love with it. It is just the right combination of science, engineering, and art.
I joined Rhino Foods in September of 2019 after looking for an opportunity to join a company that is nimble and focused on developing their people. The Rhino team has a very welcoming and open culture, in addition to the technical job being aligned with my skills. I come to Rhino with more than 12 years of experience in product and process development, including 10 years at Keurig Dr Pepper. Throughout the years, I have developed my expertise in successfully taking concepts from benchtop development to full-scale production, including multiple innovation platforms.
I'm driven by the desire to develop great tasting products and to seek new experiences. That is also true in my personal life, where I continuously look for new recipes, pulling inspiration from multiple sources to create my own version. I love the food scene and outdoor spaces that Vermont has to offer: the cheeses, the coffees, the craft beverages, and the mountains. In my time off, I enjoy hiking, biking, and snowshoeing with my family.
Job Titles:
- People Partner, Employee Experience
- People Partner, Employee Experience / Department: People & Culture
I joined the People & Culture Team at Rhino Foods in January of 2023. I am thrilled to be a part of an amazing team of people-centered individuals and an equally amazing company. I have been in Vermont for over 12 years and have heard nothing but great things about Rhino Foods including their commitment to employees, community, and its customers.
I love working with people because no day is ever the same and I can leave work feeling like I have made a positive impact each day by supporting and engaging our employees. I approach the work I do with a people-centric lens and this is at the heart of why I love working with people.
When I am not working, I love to travel and explore new places with my partner and I try to enjoy everything Vermont has to offer as much as possible!
Job Titles:
- President & CEO / Department: Sales and Marketing
Growing up, I was continuously asked if I ever planned to join the family business. Time and time again, I would answer with a definitive "no," as it would have impeded my plans to become the next Wayne Gretzky. However, as time went by and my hopes of becoming the next "Great One" slipped away,…
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Founder / Department: Sales and Marketing
Rhino Foods has spent forty years working to live up to our purpose: Impacting the manner in which business is done. I believe every business owner has a passion that is a source of great motivation. Mine is about finding ways to create positive social change through business.
As a privately held business, we emphasize long-term financial health in order to invest in our customers, employees, and community. I have developed a love of business because it keeps me on my toes addressing the daily challenges of reducing risks and leveraging opportunities. I enjoy my work and the journey that I (along with fellow Rhino employees) have traveled since founding the business with my wife Anne in 1981.
As a relatively small company, our employees believe that developing and making products for some of the largest food companies in the world is the right venue for our creative energies. I am very proud that we co-invented the number one ice cream flavor innovation in the last thirty years, that we created the number two best-selling ice cream novelty in C-stores for a three-year period, and that we developed the best-selling reduced-fat retail cheesecake for ten years.
Though my passion keeps me deeply engaged at Rhino, my family has always come first in my life. I am fortunate that my wife, Anne, has been supportive of the time and efforts it takes to own and grow our business. Anne and I, along with our sons Ned and Rooney, have always enjoyed being active together in sports, travel, or at home. We are now "empty nesters," but still enjoy having our family nearby.