Serving Food Industry Since 1986

I started in the food industry after I sold my first company (a construction company) in 1986. I began as the manager of a regional steak and seafood chain then moved to the food manufacturing industry, which I have served for the last 31 years. In my last position as president of Truitt Family Foods (a spin-off of Truitt Brothers), which I held for six years, my team and I created a revenue opportunity by launching the first U.S. produced shelf-stable hummus, which four-years later represented over 30% of Truitt Brother’s revenue.

During my tenure at both companies, my responsibilities and experience included new business development, regional and national headquarters sales, national accounts, export sales, product development, brand building and marketing strategy.

I am passionate about identifying new business opportunities, connecting with peers and customers, as well as developing creative, problem-solving solutions—especially ones that generate revenue!

I also took an active role in all sales and marketing activities at both companies: taking a leadership role in Truitt Family Food's re-branding and brand-architecture development, product development, go-to-market strategies, as well as identifying and building keystone business opportunities.

All of these roles led to mentoring, coaching, and developing leadership in the food manufacturing industry:

  • (2008-2012) Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service; Processor Board Member
  • (2011-2013) Association for Healthcare Foodservice; Industry Advisory Board 
  • (2012-2015) School Food Focus; Leadership Council 
  • (2014-2016) Culinary Institute of America; Sponsor Leadership Council

It’s exciting to join Value Based to adapt consultive or value-based selling practices for food manufacturing teams to help them meet and exceed their goals. An ethics-based, personalized coaching and consulting approach employing Lean and Six Sigma processes moves these teams from knowing to doing and accountable to results.