WINTER 2018 | DEC. 3+4 | SANTA MONICA, CA
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THE LEADING CONFERENCE FOR THE BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

You are viewing a past event. BevNET Live Winter 2018 took place on December 3rd and 4th, 2018 in Santa Monica, CA at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. BevNET Live is the leading business conferences for the beverage industry held twice a year in New York, NY and Santa Monica, CA. Upcoming conference dates can be found at bevnet.com/events. For a look into the conference, watch the presentation from GT Dave, the Founder and CEO of GT's Kombucha, at the Winter 2018 conference:

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THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR: ADM

ADM, a leading supplier of ingredients for food and beverage brands, is this year's Platinum sponsor for both our Summer and Winter BevNET Live conferences. As a cornerstone of the industry, ADM provides the expertise and support needed to create a platform for future innovation and partnership.

WINTER 2018 MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS

  • GT Dave, Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    GT Dave

    Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods

    GT Dave, Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    GT Dave

    Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods

    GT Dave is the category creator of the Kombucha industry with his line of #1 selling products known as GT's Kombucha & Synergy. Over 20 years ago while he was barely a teenager, GT started brewing and bottling his authentic organic raw Kombucha in his parent's kitchen in Los Angeles.  Since then, he has expanded his company's portfolio beyond Kombucha and has once again become a pioneer of cutting-edge wellness offerings including non-dairy kefirs, non-dairy raw coconut yogurts, probiotic shots, adaptogenic teas, and much more.   GT continues to be the creative and visionary force behind all of GT's Living Foods while allowing the company to remain family-owned and operated. 

  • Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sheryl O'Loughlin

    CEO, REBBL

    Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sheryl O'Loughlin

    CEO, REBBL

    In 2017, Sheryl O'Loughlin introduced her book, Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart. She is currently the CEO of REBBL, the first super herb adaptogen beverage company. REBBL partners with Not for Sale, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating human trafficking. Sheryl was the CEO of Clif Bar and Company and co-founded and served as CEO for Plum, Inc. She has held positions in the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Sonoma State University, and she currently serves the boards of Once Upon a Farm, the Harvest Summit, and Conscious Capitalism. She is a member of the Forbes San Francisco Business Council and One Step Closer to a Sustainable Community (OSC2). Sheryl earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She lives in California with her husband, Patrick, and their two sons.

  • David Karr, Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    David Karr

    Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate

    David Karr, Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    David Karr

    Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate

    David Karr is the Chief Brand Cebador of Guayaki SRP, inc., a company he co-founded with Alex Pryor, his “soul brother” in 1996. As the brand steward, David is responsible for the look, feel and story of Guayaki and is committed to creating sustainable, regenerating enterprises that nourish the planet and humanity. He lives on his community farm on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada with his wife Jennifer Lloyd and two boys Alex and Rio.

  • Sarah Alderson, DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sarah Alderson

    DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart

    Sarah Alderson, DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sarah Alderson

    DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart

    Sarah Alderson leads the refrigerated buying teams at Walmart. A 10-year veteran of the company's food business, she has worked in Private Brands and in a variety of buying roles in merchandising. She is working to create a new shopping experience in Walmart's refrigerated set and is passionate about growing American entrepreneurial companies to cultivate a new assortment to surprise and delight her customers.

  • Neel Premkumar, Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Neel Premkumar

    Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee

    Neel Premkumar, Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Neel Premkumar

    Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee

    Neel Premkumar created FORTO Coffee to fuel the next generation of coffee lovers, looking for a fast coffee energy boost. Today, FORTO is the #1 Coffee Shot and the best-selling shelf-stable Organic Bottled Coffee in the U.S., sold in over 50,000 retail stores. The company has been on Inc.500’s fastest-growing company list for multiple years, and Neel is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Prior to becoming the Founder and CEO of FORTO, Neel was a marketing executive at Nestle, and beforehand, founded a boutique marketing agency called CreativeHub, with clients that included Unilever, General Mills and Samsung. Neel holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business, a Graduate Marketing degree from The University of Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. He resides with his wife and twin girls near New York City.

  • Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Arthur Gallego

    Principal, Gallego & Co.

    Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Arthur Gallego

    Principal, Gallego & Co.

    Arthur Gallego runs Gallego & Co., a marketing consulting firm specializing in natural and emerging food & beverage brands. Gallego is a familiar name if you drink coconut water: he helped launch Vita Coco in 2004 and has worked with the brand ever since. He also works with Bulletproof 360; UGLY Drinks; LIFEAID Beverage Co. and Chomps meat snacks. Gallego is a well-regarded marketing strategist, branding and communications expert and has been a regular guest on MSNBC and been quoted by CBS News, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

  • Duane Primozich, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Duane Primozich

    Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures

    Duane Primozich, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Duane Primozich

    Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures

    Duane began his career in natural foods nearly two decades ago. In that time he has served in management positions for several prominent natural foods companies, including Frontier Natural Products Co-op and WhiteWave. In 2004 Duane co-founded Pixie Mate, a specialty tea business, and from 2007 to 2015 he held several senior management positions for Boulder Brands, ultimately serving as the Executive Vice President of the Balance segment for Boulder Brands, responsible for 3 of the 6 businesses in the portfolio. Concurrent to this, Duane was the Managing Director of the Boulder Brands Investment Group from 2013 to 2015. Duane’s general business management and entrepreneurial experience make him particularly well-suited to assist portfolio companies in their business operations, strategic planning and marketing and sales initiatives. Duane currently sits or has sat on the Board of Directors of Suja Juice, EPIC, Temple Turmeric, Primizie, Live Soda, Bonafide Provisions, Rebbl, Bobo’s Oat Bars, High Brew Coffee and Thorne Nature Experience, a Boulder-based environmental education non-profit.

  • Bill Creelman, Founder & CEO, Spindrift - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Bill Creelman

    Founder & CEO, Spindrift

    Bill Creelman, Founder & CEO, Spindrift - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Bill Creelman

    Founder & CEO, Spindrift

    Bill Creelman is the Founder of Spindrift Beverage Co., Inc. and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Spindrift, Bill co-founded Stirrings which sold to Diageo in 2009. Bill grew up on a farm in Western Massachusetts where all the food was unprocessed, seasonal, and fresh. In 2010, he began making his own sparkling beverages to help him kick his fiendish Diet Coke habit. He wanted something refreshing with real ingredients he could pronounce and enjoy with his young family. After much trial and error, he achieved this by combining 2 simple ingredients: fresh fruit and triple-filtered sparkling water. He named it Spindrift. Today, Spindrift is made up of 75 passionate employees dedicated to changing the sparkling beverages. Spindrift is leading beverage into a new age of transparency and ingredient simplicity by offering no artificial sweeteners, no natural flavorings, and no essences. Spindrift was recently named to Inc. Magazine 500 fasting growing companies and 2 time recipient of Bevnet Product of the Year awards. Bill lives outside of Boston with his wife, Harley, and 4 kids.

  • Andrew Henkel, Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Andrew Henkel

    Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS

    Andrew Henkel, Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Andrew Henkel

    Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS

    Andrew joined SPINS in 2015 to help the most innovative health & wellness brands in the industry grow even faster. The Brand Growth Solutions team now advises a broad portfolio of high-performing brands and investors on marketing, sales, innovation, and M&A. The team leverages SPINS’ industry- leading market data in combination with robust consumer information, analytics, and strategic analyses to generate powerful insights and develop profitable growth solutions for our clients. Andrew brings a passion for the Natural and Specialty Products Industry, plus over twenty years of consumer brand experience in strategy, marketing, and innovation leadership roles at McKinsey, Kraft, and PepsiCo.

  • Sharelle Klaus, Founder & CEO, Dry Soda - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sharelle Klaus

    Founder & CEO, Dry Soda

    Sharelle Klaus, Founder & CEO, Dry Soda - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sharelle Klaus

    Founder & CEO, Dry Soda

    As the visionary behind DRY Soda Company, Sharelle Klaus has always had a passion for the culinary world and celebrating each part of a meal – including the beverage. After having four children, she didn’t want to let a lack of wine or cocktails stop her from creating a great pairing. Klaus recognized an absence of refreshing, clean, non-alcoholic options in the market, and became determined to create the first line of less-sweet sodas that was worthy of meal pairing and premium mixology. She believed savory and sweet flavors more commonly used in cuisine could offer exciting compliments to her favorite meals. In 2005, Klaus crafted the first batches of DRY Sparkling soda in her home kitchen and officially launched DRY Soda Co. a few months later. In 2018, she launched DRY Soda Co.’s second brand – DRY Zero Sugar organic sodas – to bring that same elevated experience to consumers seeking a better sugar-free soda option. Klaus brings nearly two decades of entrepreneurial, financial and technology industry experience to her role as CEO at DRY, and oversees all marketing, strategic planning and innovation for the brand. With guidance from some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chefs and a savvy corporate team, Klaus pioneered a new category of sparkling beverages, fearlessly leading DRY’s aggressive growth in a male dominated industry. Prior to founding DRY, Klaus worked as a consultant for Infrastructure Management Group and Price Waterhouse. She also served as president of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, where she drove strategic development of programs, events and fundraising for the organization’s 250+ Seattle-area members. Klaus has been featured by ParentMap, Huffpost, Forbes, BevNET, Seattle Magazine, Imbibe, and was honored by Seattle Business Magazine as one of its 2018 CEOs of the year. With a keen appreciation for humor and wit, Klaus is an avid supporter of entrepreneurship and frequently speaks at professional conferences, workshops, and the University of Washington Business School, where she also participates as a judge for the Michael G. Foster’s School’s well-known business plan competitions. She has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Seattle Pacific University Business School, the Board of Directors at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Board of the Seattle Lung Force. Klaus graduated from Seattle Pacific University with an undergraduate degree in political science, and currently resides in Seattle, Wash.

  • Randy Ornstein, Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Randy Ornstein

    Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev

    Randy Ornstein, Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Randy Ornstein

    Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev

    Randy Ornstein is the Vice President of Beyond Beer Sales at Anheuser-Busch, responsible for all aspects of A-B’s growing non-alcohol (NA) business and the distribution of our non-beer alcohol brands. Previously, Randy led A-B’s NA team and was its first member in 2016 as General Manager of Teavana Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Craft Iced Teas, leading the partnership with Starbucks. Randy joined A-B in 2005 and spent six years living in Bentonville, AR working as Walmart's Beer Category Advisor. He was responsible for managing 12 national store-level resets, as well as advising Walmart on growing beer category dollars. In 2011, Randy moved to St. Louis to become Senior Director of Category Management for all national grocers. He helped the retailers better manage their beer category space and worked on solutions to drive sales, including initiatives to decrease out-of-stocks. In 2014, Randy was promoted to Vice President of U.S. Sales for Walmart and Sam’s Club and created the “Your Bud Light Headquarters” program that drove significant share of market growth for Bud Light, along with his creation of an on-shelf availability app for wholesalers to reduce out-of-stocks. Randy holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University and an MBA in retail business from the University of Arkansas. Randy, his wife Hayley, and his children, Reed and Ila, live in Montclair, NJ.

  • Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Radi

    President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

    Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Radi

    President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

    Doug is a classical, ‘big company’ packaged goods marketer turned growth entrepreneur in the natural products industry. He currently serves as President and CEO of Good Karma Foods, one of the fastest growing Brands in the plant-based dairy category. Prior to Good Karma, Doug served as interim General Manager of Rudi’s Organic Bakery after the successful sale to The Hain Celestial Group. During his tenure at Rudi’s, Doug was responsible for all key growth initiatives, acting as SVP of Sales & Marketing where he was able to more than double revenue in less than 4 years. He has 22 years of experience in various consumer products categories, including healthcare, snack foods, frozen, dairy, and organic. Doug has held various leadership positions with many leading consumer brands such as Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, and Doritos. Passionate about the natural products industry, Doug is a past President of Naturally Boulder, serves on a number of small company boards, and regularly mentors emerging brand entrepreneurs. He has an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and a MBA in Marketing from Wake Forest University.

  • Sharon Kieffer, Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sharon Kieffer

    Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners

    Sharon Kieffer, Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Sharon Kieffer

    Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners

    Sharon Kieffer has spent the majority of her 20+ year career as a successful innovator and business builder in the consumer packaged goods industry. As an executive at PepsiCo and Kraft Foods she leveraged her strong consumer and business insights to create and build over $2 billion of new CPG businesses around the globe. Most notably she worked to launch Aquafina and Starbucks ready to drink beverages in the US and expand the Philadelphia and Kraft cheese brands into new categories internationally. Today, she is focused on working alongside entrepreneurs to help create the next generation of differentiated and high growth CPG businesses. As a partner at 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners, Sharon led the investment in Good Karma and continues to sit on the Board of Directors. Sharon began her marketing career in advertising at Leo Burnett, working on personal care and paper businesses. She spent the next 18+ years rising through the ranks in Marketing and Innovation at Kraft Foods, Fort James and PepsiCo. Most recently, Sharon was the VP of Global Innovation at PepsiCo where she led disruptive innovation efforts for the Quaker brand and Global Nutrition Group around the world. Sharon received both a B.B.A. and an M.B.A from the University of Wisconsin. She enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys and pursuing her passions of athletics, the outdoors and health and wellness. She is an avid Badger and Packer fan, has completed two marathons, biked through Italy and enjoys hiking whenever possible.

  • Vanessa Walker, Founder, Millennial Brands - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Vanessa Walker

    Founder, Millennial Brands

  • Danny Stepper, Co-Founder & CEO, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Danny Stepper

    Co-Founder & CEO, L.A. Libations

  • Nick Giannuzzi, Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Nick Giannuzzi

    Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP

    Nick Giannuzzi, Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Nick Giannuzzi

    Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP

    From Harvard University to New York University School of Law to a chic business residence in the Meatpacking District of NYC, Nicholas Giannuzzi is a partner and founder of The Giannuzzi Group, LLP. Started in 2011, the “Giannuzzi Group” has since become the leading law firm for nearly 500 high-growth consumer brand companies in the natural, better for you food and beverage industry. Among the firm's many clients – both present and historic – are some of the industry’s most successful and fastest growing companies such as Glaceau (creator of VitaminWater and SmartWater), Pirate’s Booty, Pretzel Crisps, Vita Coco, Siggi’s, WTRMLN WTR, Mamma Chia, Sir Kensington’s, Hint, Califia Farms, Krave, HappyBaby, Chameleon Cold Brew, Essentia, Rhythm Superfoods, Peeled, Runa, Oatmega, Sugarfina, Juice Press and many more. In addition to day-to-day legal services, advice and guidance the Giannuzzi Group has assisted its clients in over 500 financing transaction and in nearly 50 exits to strategics and PE funds, including but not limited to sales to Coke, Pepsi, General Mills, Group Danone, Hersheys, Hain Celestial, Amplify, Bacardi, White Wave and many other multi-national companies and some of the largest PE funds. In the last year, the firm has overseen the sale of KRAVE Jerky to The Hershey Company, the partial sale of Suja Juice to The Coca-Cola Company, the acquisition of Wallaby Yogurt by WhiteWave Foods, the sale of YummyEarth to the Riverside Company and the firm is currently working on multiple sales transactions in the 100s of millions of dollars for its other food and beverage clients. The Giannuzzi Group has an un-paralleled understanding of the industry and works tirelessly to serve its clients and to create positive relationships with all of the investors, co-packers, distributors, brokers, acquirers, service providers and difference makers throughout the industry so that we can shares these relationships with our clients.

  • Dino Sarti, Co-Founder, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Dino Sarti

    Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

    Dino Sarti, Co-Founder, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Dino Sarti

    Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

    Dino Sarti is the chief executive officer of L.A. Aloe, LLC, makers of Aloe Gloe, and the co-founder of L.A. Libations, the premier national beverage development and sales organization specializing in super premium beverage brands in early phase development. Dino’s professional background includes 20 years of experience in the beverage industry from operations to customer management and brand development. His sales management experience covers every channel of trade and virtually every chain retailer nationwide. He acquired knowledge of complex distribution systems while managing a direct store delivery sales force for Coca-Cola in Southern California. Dino then went on to develop channel specific selling strategies as an account executive for Coca-Cola calling on national retailers. After completing an MBA at Pepperdine, Dino caught the entrepreneurial bug and joined Icelandic Glacial water as vice president of national sales where he played a key role in securing an investment from Anheuser-Busch and then rolling the brand out across the A-B national network. Dino’s tenure in emerging brands revealed a void in the market – early phase brands lack a portfolio approach and do not have the economies of scale to afford or justify a dedicated national team. In addition, large and established companies lack the processes and capabilities for incubating emerging, growth oriented brands. This void in the market and associated opportunities gave birth to the idea of L.A. Libations, a brand developer, and incubator. The L.A. Libations model proved highly successful.

  • Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Pat Bolden

    President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

    Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Pat Bolden

    President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

    Patrick Bolden is a business expert with 24 years of beverage experience. Alcohol, non-alcohol, traditional, non-traditional, on and off premise are many aspects of the beverage industry that are familiar to Pat. Pat is the Co-Founder and President of L.A. Libations. After a short stint playing professional basketball, Pat began in beverage by working for 7up / Rc Bottling in 1993. He worked in a variety of different roles there from field sales to operations to national accounts. After 7 years he transitioned to the Coca Cola Company into their trade development department and called on national accounts such as BP ampm, Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club. In 2005, Pat took on a National Account Manager role at Heineken USA. Learning the ins and outs and legalities of the alcoholic beverage industry was challenging but rewarding. This experience allowed Pat to be much better-rounded within the beverage channel but also understand how to create a new approach to being innovative and disruptive. In 2009 Pat, Danny and Dino started this organization to position “better for you and healthy alternative” products in mainstream retail accounts. Pat’s strength are his deep nationwide retail relationships. He has always said “providing value is the key to true partnership.” Innovation and incubation continue to be the phases of beverage brands where Pat’s experience shines. His passion to integrate beverages that are centered on health and wellness into mainstream outlets is what drives him to trail blaze in this industry and his results speak for themself.

  • Elizabeth Stephenson, President, Fiji Water Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Elizabeth Stephenson

    President, Fiji Water Group

    Elizabeth Stephenson, President, Fiji Water Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Elizabeth Stephenson

    President, Fiji Water Group

    Elizabeth Stephenson is president of the FIJI Water Group, a division of The Wonderful Company. The FIJI Water Group is comprised of FIJI Water, Justin Winery and Vineyards, Landmark Winery and Vineyards, and the Neptune Pacific Line, a shipping company in the South Pacific. FIJI Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in the United States and has expanded globally to more than 80 countries. Elizabeth joined The Wonderful Company in 2015 to lead the company’s Strategy Group, an internal consulting group responsible for strategy, M&A, change management, and special projects. In 2016, she became president of POM Wonderful, the leading pomegranate brand and producer in the world, known for its POM Wonderful Juices and Teas, POM POMs pomegranate arils, and POM-brand fresh pomegranates. Elizabeth transitioned to her present role in the Spring of 2018. Previously, Elizabeth was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where she served clients on long-term strategy and strategic growth topics, from 2001–2015. While there, she specialized in large-scale, corporate portfolio strategy and growth strategy working at the C-suite and board level, primarily for Fortune 100 companies. Elizabeth holds a B.A. magna cum laude from Yale in cultural anthropology and an M.A. in European history from Columbia. A former Fulbright scholar and Mellon fellow, she did doctoral work in cultural anthropology at the University of Chicago.

  • Alex Jacobs, VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Dean Foods Company - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alex Jacobs

    VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Dean Foods Company

  • Jeffrey Klineman, Editor-in-Chief, BevNET - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jeffrey Klineman

    Editor-in-Chief, BevNET

    Jeffrey Klineman, Editor-in-Chief, BevNET - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jeffrey Klineman

    Editor-in-Chief, BevNET

    As Editor-in-Chief of BevNET, Jeffrey Klineman oversees the organization's reporting across all of its web sites, as well as BevNET Magazine. Jeffrey is also responsible for developing the content for conferences like BevNET Live and Food and Beverage University (FBU). Jeffrey previously worked as a newspaper reporter for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, the Boston TAB and the Metrowest Daily News, and has freelanced for publications like Slate, Boston Magazine, Self, George, Commonwealth, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Jeffrey is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. A frequently-cited expert on the beverage industry, Jeffrey has also been named in Forbes as one of the 25 Most Influential Kingmakers in Consumer and Retail Companies. He is still trying to live that one down.

  • John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    John Craven

    CEO & Founder, BevNET

    John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    John Craven

    CEO & Founder, BevNET

    As founder and CEO of BevNET, John Craven is a widely-recognized authority on the beverage industry and he is frequently cited in mainstream media. His vision shapes the editorial, publishing, and positioning of all of BevNET's properties, including BevNET.com, BevNET Magazine, Brewbound.com, BevNET FBU and their associated conferences. John is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Computer Science.

  • Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alicia LeBeouf

    SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

    Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alicia LeBeouf

    SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

    Alicia LeBeouf is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Culinary Operations for Canteen, a sector of Compass Group North America which accounts for over $4B in managed volume and the largest footprint of automated unattended merchandising (vending), markets, and coffee solutions through corporate and franchise locations in the United States. In this role, Alicia is primarily responsible for supporting the brand’s transition from traditional vending to a consumer-driven unattended retail platform and facilitating its efforts to curate unique breakroom programs for corporations, entertainment venues and other public spaces. Alicia also oversees Canteen’s “grab-and-go” food portfolio and partnerships with food delivery service platforms. Prior to this role, Alicia held several roles at Target Corporation (Minneapolis, MN), the most recent of which she was the Senior Director of Store Operations, where she led strategy and operational development efforts for store openings, closings, in-store innovation and the creation of small store formats (Target Express). During her tenure at Target, Alicia also held roles focusing on consumer engagement initiatives, innovation, public-private partnerships and the transition of Target’s pharmacy portfolio to CVS. Alicia holds B.A. and M.A degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Economics and Public Administration, respectively. She enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with her 2 year old son MJ and 6 month old daughter Sydney. When she has spare time, Alicia can be found in the gym, reading a good book or honing her culinary skills in the kitchen.

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS

  • Tero Isokauppila, Founder, Four Sigmatic - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Tero Isokauppila

    Founder, Four Sigmatic

    Tero Isokauppila, Founder, Four Sigmatic - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Tero Isokauppila

    Founder, Four Sigmatic

    Tero Isokauppila is the founder Four Sigmatic, a nature-centric Nordic company specializing in functional superfoods, mushrooms, and adaptogens. Tero’s roots (or mycelium, if you will) are in Finland where he grew up foraging for mushrooms and other wild foods on his family’s farm. He later earned a degree in Chemistry and a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition at Cornell University. In 2012, Tero founded Four Sigmatic with the dream of bringing a little Everyday Magic to the lives of all. An expert in all things related to mushrooms and natural health, Tero is the author of two books: Healing Mushrooms: A Practical and Culinary Guide to Using Adaptogenic Mushrooms for Whole Body Health, his first book from Avery Publishing, and this Fall’s Santa Sold Shrooms, the untold story of Saint Nicholas. Tero was chosen as one of the world's Top 50 Food Activists by the Academy of Culinary Nutrition and has appeared in Time, Forbes, BuzzFeed, Vogue, W Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Bon Appétit. He is also a sought-after speaker, having been featured at Summit Series, Wanderlust, Further Future, and the Culinary Nutrition Conference. In 2012 Tero bid the cold Finnish winters goodbye and now resides in sunny Southern California.

  • Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Radi

    President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

    Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Radi

    President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

    Doug is a classical, ‘big company’ packaged goods marketer turned growth entrepreneur in the natural products industry. He currently serves as President and CEO of Good Karma Foods, one of the fastest growing Brands in the plant-based dairy category. Prior to Good Karma, Doug served as interim General Manager of Rudi’s Organic Bakery after the successful sale to The Hain Celestial Group. During his tenure at Rudi’s, Doug was responsible for all key growth initiatives, acting as SVP of Sales & Marketing where he was able to more than double revenue in less than 4 years. He has 22 years of experience in various consumer products categories, including healthcare, snack foods, frozen, dairy, and organic. Doug has held various leadership positions with many leading consumer brands such as Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, and Doritos. Passionate about the natural products industry, Doug is a past President of Naturally Boulder, serves on a number of small company boards, and regularly mentors emerging brand entrepreneurs. He has an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and a MBA in Marketing from Wake Forest University.

  • Karen Huh, Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Karen Huh

    Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof

    Karen Huh, Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Karen Huh

    Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof

    Karen Huh joined Bulletproof 360 as the Vice President of Product & Brand Strategy in December 2015. Karen led the overhaul of Bulletproof rebranding effort in 2016 and 2017 and during her tenure at Bulletproof has launched over 30 products across food, beverage and supplements. In addition to product strategy, Karen also leads R&D, marketing, communications, and content. Prior to Bulletproof, Karen was at Starbucks Coffee Company for nearly 11 years in a wide range of roles including coffee innovation, launch of RTD and packaged coffee in international markets, and the acquisition of Evolution Fresh. Before joining Starbucks, Karen was an investment professional at two tech-focused venture capital firms. Karen lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Ernie and two kids.

  • Alan Murray, CEO, Goodbelly - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alan Murray

    CEO, Goodbelly

    Alan Murray, CEO, Goodbelly - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alan Murray

    CEO, Goodbelly

    NextFoods CEO Alan Murray has worked with the beverage industry for more than 20 years, having held various international marketing and general management roles within packaging giant Tetra Pak. As CEO in North America, he worked closely with many leading beverage brands and played a key role in bringing new packaging formats to the U.S. In 2010 he decided to step into the startup world by taking on the CEO role at NextFoods, makers of probiotic juice, GoodBelly. Murray was instrumental in licensing the brand’s patented probiotic technology from Sweden and participated in early activities such as brand creation and pitching to investors. Murray is also Vice Chairman of the publicly listed company SunOpta, a $1 billion global provider of natural and organic foods ingredients. His experience includes board work for private equity and venture backed companies in the packaging and food industries. He has worked closely with CEO’s as coach and sounding board in companies ranging in size from pre-revenue all the way to $1billion. He was the founder of the North American Carton Council, an industry body that serves to promote the recycling of cartons in the US. A graduate of the University of Cape Town, South Africa with a degree in Biochemistry and Applied Statistics, Murray participated in the Unilever Management Development Program and has attended various courses at the Business School IMD in Lausanne Switzerland. He is a Guest Speaker at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and has taught case studies of his work at London’s Ashridge Business School.

  • Max Baumann, Founder & CEO, Bear Brands, Basemakers - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Max Baumann

    Founder & CEO, Bear Brands, Basemakers

  • Matthew Brogie, CEO, Repsly - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Matthew Brogie

    CEO, Repsly

  • Justin Prochnow, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Justin Prochnow

    Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

    Justin Prochnow, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Justin Prochnow

    Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

    Justin is an attorney and shareholder in the Denver office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. His practice focuses on representing companies in the beverage, food, and dietary supplement and providing assistance on regulatory and legal issues. He reviews labels and packaging, websites and other promotional and advertising materials to ensure that the labels are technically compliant and appropriate claims are being made. He assists many companies with responses to FDA actions like warning letters, inspections and recalls, as well as FTC investigations. He also prepares and reviews industry contracts such as supplier and manufacturing agreements. And lately, he has been defending companies in class action lawsuits over labeling claims like "all natural" filed in California and other states.

  • Adam Hertel, Senior VP of Sales - Grocery & Alternate Channels, ITO EN (North America) INC. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Adam Hertel

    Senior VP of Sales - Grocery & Alternate Channels, ITO EN (North America) INC.

  • Gerry Martin, President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Gerry Martin

    President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company

    Gerry Martin, President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Gerry Martin

    President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company

    Gerry is a 35 plus year veteran of the beverage industry and currently serves as President and CEO for one of the largest independent beverage dispensing Company’s in the Country in Al’s Beverages. Prior to Al’s, Gerry was a key player in both the Cola and Polar Wars having spent time operationally with Pepsi Cola In the 80’s and mid 90’s and over 17 years with independent giant, Polar Beverages. Gerry’s experiences include an in depth knowledge of both On and Off Premise sales and marketing and has a hands on history of product launches while dealing with buyers from Corporate to Independent Bottlers and at all levels of Retail. As Polar’s brand gatekeeper, Gerry played a major role in launching dozens of startup brands including Monster Energy, Vitamin Water, Fiji Water, and Nantucket Nectars and accurately foresaw the industry’s sparkling water growth by helping to develop Polar single serve and seasonal seltzers. Gerry has been a Bevnet Live contributor over the years where he has helped educate entrepreneurial brand owners on how to navigate distributor and retailer financial hurdles. Gerry is a graduate of Assumption College in Worcester MA and serves as a board member on the International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association (IBDEA) where he joins other dispensing executives in navigating the next wave of dispensed offerings.

  • Stephen Horgan, Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Stephen Horgan

    Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital

    Stephen Horgan, Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Stephen Horgan

    Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital

    Stephen Horgan is an experienced senior executive and entrepreneur who has successfully built businesses domestically and internationally. For over 20 years, he served in executive positions for The Coca-Cola Company, Coors Brewing Company and MillerCoors where his talents most often started or transformed organizations and resulted in dramatic improvements in capability and performance. He is a leader with highly developed general business acumen and skills in strategy development and commercialization, distribution, customer management, franchise management, sales and global retail. His focus segments have been CPG, food, beverage, distribution, global retailers and franchising. He has worked extensively in both domestic and international markets in Europe, South America and Asia where he forged a strong track record and developed deep knowledge, understanding and strategic relationships. Mr. Horgan is a founding partner of InterContinental Beverage Capital. Established in 2013, Intercontinental Beverage Capital (IBC) is a New York-based, global advisory and investment group focused specifically on the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. In 2011, Horgan launched Brand Aspirations with his wife Cathy. It is a consulting and investment company specializing in nurturing and developing emerging CPG, Food and Beverage companies. Brand Aspirations works with a broad range of companies and brands to compress the business cycle and deliver accelerated results. He has worked with the largest bottling and distribution companies in the world and launched ground breaking businesses and organizations in his time with The Coca-Cola Company. His legacy includes creating the foundation and models for still active businesses with Walmart, Global Retailers and TCCC hydration businesses. He also developed a world class organization as Coors Brewing Company’s CCO. Early in his career, Mr. Horgan worked for the Atlantic Richfield Company in marketing and franchise management and was a labor negotiator with United Technologies. He serves on the board of directors for The Career Platform and TQ Logistics. Stephen graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with bachelors degrees in Business and Economics. He received his MBA in Business Management and Finance from the University of Connecticut School of Business. He was born in South Boston, MA. and grew up in Schenectady, NY. Mr. Horgan is active in community service, and served on the advisory board of Children’s Miracle Network as well as numerous other industry advisory committees. He is a sports enthusiast, and enjoys history and travel. He is a current member of the University of Connecticut and University of New York alumni associations. He is married to Catherine B. Horgan of Marengo, Iowa, and has four children. Mr. Horgan resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his family.

  • Doug Christoph, Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Christoph

    Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital

    Doug Christoph, Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Doug Christoph

    Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital

    Doug is a managing partner at Intercontinental Beverage Capital (IBC), a New York-based global advisory and investment firm focused on the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries in the $500-100million range, with unique functional beverage products, services, and proprietary game-changing technologies. Most of his expertise has been focused in the areas of brand strategy, development and design, packaging, positioning, consumer insights and the shopper exerience, new product launch initiatives, social and digital marketing, client engagement, as well as those busineses needing access and a path to investment capital. Prior to IBC, Doug was a senior executive and Global Brand Marketing, Business Development, and Emerging Brands professional from The Coca-Cola Company and Miller Coors, as well as his involvement in several early stage businesses since 2011. For over 20 years, he has focused on driving business strategy and performance, revenue growth, profitability, and building value based relationships in large multi-national companies with iconic global brands, complex international business systems, and annual sales of $4-30B worldwide. He is extremely comfortable and effecive working across diverse international cultures throughout the world. World Regions include: ASEAN/SE Asia, mainland China/Hong Kong, APAC (Japan, South Korea, Australia), South Pacific/Hawaiian Islands, Europe (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, UK), Mexico, and North America. Channel expertise: Convenience Retail, Grocery, Retail Mass, Club/Warehouse, Drug, On-Premise (Bars, Clubs, Alcohol/Adult Beverages), Casino/Hotel, Sports Venues, Traditional/Modern Trade, and more recently Dispensaries for the sale and distribution of recreational Cannabis and CBD. Prior to his Coca-Cola journey, Doug worked 10 years for Miller Brewing (MillerCoors) where he held several key positions involving Brand/Lifestyle Marketing, Strategic Planning, Live Music, Events and Entertainment, Sports Sponsorships, and Celebrity Talent Mgt. working with many of the most popular campaigns of the era involving Miller’s portfolio of brands (Lite Beer from Miller, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller High Life, Leinenkugel, and many others.) As a part of a personal mission, Doug has also been involved in The Cambodian Children’s Fund in Phnom Penh, Cambodia an organization dedicated to the transformation of impoverished children into tomorrow’s leaders through education, free medical and health care, family support, and community development programs. He is based in Atlanta, GA USA.

  • Emmanuel Laroche, VP, Marketing, Symrise - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Emmanuel Laroche

    VP, Marketing, Symrise

  • Arthur Lopez, Director of Sales, North America, Finlays - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Arthur Lopez

    Director of Sales, North America, Finlays

  • Jessica Lukas, VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jessica Lukas

    VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc.

    Jessica Lukas, VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jessica Lukas

    VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc.

    Prior to joining BDS Analytics, Jessica Lukas spent 10 years working with top global CPG and Beverage Alcohol companies at BASES (Nielsen Innovation) and on the shopper marketing team at Dr Pepper Snapple Group. After taking a short break to develop and launch an app with a business partner, Jessica returned to data analytics—but this time for cannabis. At BDS Analytics, she is the VP of Consumer Insights. BDS Analytics is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and is the leader in data, market research, analytics, and consumer insights for the cannabis industry. She helps clients understand the evolution of the cannabis market and consumer in order to assess the opportunities and threats that drive strategic decisions. Given her many years spent working within beverages (alcohol and non), the interaction, overlap, substitutability, pairing of cannabis with beverages is a particular focus.

  • Mike Schneider, CMO, BevNET.com - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Mike Schneider

    CMO, BevNET.com

    Mike Schneider, CMO, BevNET.com - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Mike Schneider

    CMO, BevNET.com

    Mike Schneider is a seasoned executive who lives at the collision of brand, experience and product. He has deep roots in branding, mobile, content and events. Prior to BevNET, Schneider lead major rebranding efforts for Skyhook and GasBuddy and was the CMO of Apptopia. He also spent over 8 years in big Boston ad agencies Hill, Holliday and allen and gerritsen leading content, digital innovation and analytics teams. A long-time blogger and thought-leader, Schneider got his start drinking and evaluating craft beer and co-wrote Location Based Marketing for Dummies.

  • Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alicia LeBeouf

    SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

    Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Alicia LeBeouf

    SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

    Alicia LeBeouf is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Culinary Operations for Canteen, a sector of Compass Group North America which accounts for over $4B in managed volume and the largest footprint of automated unattended merchandising (vending), markets, and coffee solutions through corporate and franchise locations in the United States. In this role, Alicia is primarily responsible for supporting the brand’s transition from traditional vending to a consumer-driven unattended retail platform and facilitating its efforts to curate unique breakroom programs for corporations, entertainment venues and other public spaces. Alicia also oversees Canteen’s “grab-and-go” food portfolio and partnerships with food delivery service platforms. Prior to this role, Alicia held several roles at Target Corporation (Minneapolis, MN), the most recent of which she was the Senior Director of Store Operations, where she led strategy and operational development efforts for store openings, closings, in-store innovation and the creation of small store formats (Target Express). During her tenure at Target, Alicia also held roles focusing on consumer engagement initiatives, innovation, public-private partnerships and the transition of Target’s pharmacy portfolio to CVS. Alicia holds B.A. and M.A degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Economics and Public Administration, respectively. She enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with her 2 year old son MJ and 6 month old daughter Sydney. When she has spare time, Alicia can be found in the gym, reading a good book or honing her culinary skills in the kitchen.

BEVERAGE SCHOOL SPEAKERS

  • Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Arthur Gallego

    Principal, Gallego & Co.

    Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co. - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Arthur Gallego

    Principal, Gallego & Co.

    Arthur Gallego runs Gallego & Co., a marketing consulting firm specializing in natural and emerging food & beverage brands. Gallego is a familiar name if you drink coconut water: he helped launch Vita Coco in 2004 and has worked with the brand ever since. He also works with Bulletproof 360; UGLY Drinks; LIFEAID Beverage Co. and Chomps meat snacks. Gallego is a well-regarded marketing strategist, branding and communications expert and has been a regular guest on MSNBC and been quoted by CBS News, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

  • Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Kelly Criswell

    Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency

    Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Kelly Criswell

    Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency

    Kelly Criswell is a visionary and creative leader, shepherding The GRO Agency as the Chief Creative Officer based in the Los Angeles office. With a fierce love of beverage branding and a 16+ year career in CPG brand development and packaging design, Kelly will relentlessly push brands to the next level for success on shelf. Over her career she has worked with such notable brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestlé, Premier Nutrition, Diageo, and Red Bull. Her latest modus operandi is harnessing her extensive experience in CPG to help entrepreneurs and start-ups launch their brands. Her current passion project is Kabaki Kenyan Purple Tea- she has teamed up with the founder Martin and helped him position, brand, package, and develop go-to-market strategy for a 2018 launch. When she’s not obsessively taking photos in grocery stores (say hi if you see her!) she’s painting or hiking with her two kids.

  • David Meniane, Executive Vice President of Sales, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    David Meniane

    Executive Vice President of Sales, L.A. Libations

    David Meniane, Executive Vice President of Sales, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    David Meniane

    Executive Vice President of Sales, L.A. Libations

    Born in Paris, France, David Meniane moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. After obtaining a BS in Accounting and Master’s in Tax Law from the University of Southern California in 2005, he spent two years advising real estate developers and mid-size business owners as a CPA for Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt, one of California’s leading CPA firms. In 2007, David switched over to the private side of accounting when he was hired as controller for Aflalo & Harkham Investments, a commercial real estate company with $350 million in assets. In less than 2 years, he became Chief Financial Officer and Asset Manager for 27 companies, overseeing the sale of $200 million worth of properties. As an entrepreneur, David, alongside his wife Deborah, founded Victoria’s Kitchen in 2012. Creating this specialty beverage company, he quickly learned various facets of the beverage industry including brand building, commercialization, strategy, distribution, supply chain and operating in a high-risk fast paced environment. After appearing on Season 6 of Shark Tank, the company became profitable in its 4th year and was eventually acquired in 2017. Since 2016, David has been acting as Executive Vice President at L.A. Libations, the official incubating partner for The Coca-Cola Company. Under the guidance and support of its founder, Danny Stepper, he put his experience to use by leading the efforts in restructuring Obi Probiotic Soda helping multiply its revenue six fold in one year. David also leads all commercialization efforts for new brand partners and in-house projects with a true focus on discipline and execution. David now touches all aspects of beverage incubation from business development, research & development, commercialization, distribution, price architecture, supply chain, operations, sales, fundraising to overall strategy. Having lead two beverage turnarounds, and his own company for 6 years, he also takes his analytical approach to help struggling brands in growing categories with transforming or rebuilding infrastructure, product and market execution. David currently maintains an active CPA license in the state of California and lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 11 years and their beautiful 1-year old daughter, Bella.

  • Austin Allan, Founder, Tio Gazpacho - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Austin Allan

    Founder, Tio Gazpacho

  • Jeremy Halpern, Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jeremy Halpern

    Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter

    Jeremy Halpern, Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Jeremy Halpern

    Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter

    Jeremy Halpern is a partner and co-chairs and serves as the Director of Business Development for Nutter’s Emerging Companies Group. Jeremy’s practice focuses on emerging companies, private equity, venture capital and angel financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, executive and team compensation matters, and general start-up support. Serving as the firm’s entrepreneur-in-residence, Jeremy often works on strategy and corporate development matters with companies, investors, and executives in technology, life sciences and the food and beverage industry. Jeremy is an active angel investor and is a member of the board of The Capital Network, a Boston based non-profit serving entrepreneurs seeking high growth capital. Jeremy serves on the Advisory Board and the Executive Education Committee of the MBI Health Program and on the Advisory Board of Pintley, a MassChallenge 2011 finalist company providing marketing solutions to the craft brewers and bars. He continues to serve as a mentor at MassChallenge and LearnLaunch, an expert advisor at the Innovation Hub at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and as a speaker, reviewer, judge or mentor for MIT HackingMedicine, HackingPediatrics, the Mass Tech Transfer Center, the Mass Life Science Center, M2D2, BranchFood and Startup Institute. Previously Jeremy served on the Board and Investment Committee of MassVentures, an early stage venture capital fund funding technology companies in Massachusetts. Jeremy taught entrepreneurial leadership at Tufts University for nine years and cofounded a company in the mobile technology synchronization space. Jeremy received his B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

  • Hector Gonzalez Jr., Director of Merchandising, Gonzalez Northgate Markets - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Hector Gonzalez Jr.

    Director of Merchandising, Gonzalez Northgate Markets

  • Robert Macias, VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Robert Macias

    VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations

    Robert Macias, VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Robert Macias

    VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations

    Born in Los Angeles, California, Robert Macias was raised in the San Fernando Valley. Robert attended San Fernando Valley College. Soon afterwards, Robert started working at Pickwick Records where he held positions of warehouse supervisor, to sales representative. Robert was instrumental in persuading the Pickwick buyers from a mainstream purchasing pattern to the new the exploding new wave and punk rock scene. Robert was recognized for his bold and visionary views. In 1984, Robert started working for Coca-Cola. Hired as a merchandiser, Robert was quickly moved to sales and held positions throughout the Los Angeles basin. Robert was promoted to District Sales Manager in 1990. In 1996 Robert was appointed to Sales Manager at Los Angeles Sales Center with the objective to build the same culture that he achieved while a District Manager in Sylmar. Robert reengineered the entire sales system and changed the face of sales center. Robert introduced the "Men in Black" reset team. The "Men in Black" were identified as the best of the best merchandisers, but lacked either the desired formal education, training and leadership. With the help of District Managers, Robert developed a weekly training program revolved around communication, business math, volume trends and the ability to rise above. The Men in Black worked closely with the Sales Team, and were assigned key areas in Los Angeles. The objective was to dominate the trade with selected best selling brands, and introducing new beverages. In 1999 Robert was promoted to Branch Manager, Downey Production Center, Downey, California. From 1999 to 2005, Robert managed the Downey, City of Industry, Ventura/Bishop, Sylmar/Lancaster and the Los Angeles Sales Center. It was in Los Angeles, as the Sales Center Manager, where Robert developed many visionary platforms. Robert was the only Sales Center Manager appointed to the company's Atlanta Based Diversity and Inclusion Council. Robert was instrumental in creating Blue Demon energy drink and through area focused taste tests, recommended to the brand team, switching the Coke Zero package from a white package to a black package. Robert also recommended the target audience by reviewing data, and using "no sugar" as the tagline. The sampling platform was Classic Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. In 2016 Robert joined LA Libations as Brand Manager for Arriba Horchata. Robert introduced Arriba to Vallarta Markets, all three SKU's and in over 33 outlets. Since January, 2017 Robert now manages the LAL Field Team as the VP of Field Operations. Robert quickly introduced Repsly, which tracks guidance and results. Robert teaches his team productivity data, and to treat each business with the same tactics Robert learned from his experiences and methods he learned in his 32 years at Coca-Cola. They have successfully developed key areas in the Southern California area. Robert and his team have lead and participated in numerous meetings sharing "the secret sauce", and in trade visits showing others how to win the marketplace. Robert is an active cyclist, kayak fisherman and music fan, Robert lives in Santa Clarita with his wife of 23 years and their son Neil and beautiful daughter Susha. Robert's has two older sons, Rawley who owns Rouleur Brewery in Carlsbad, and Drew who is a Key Account Manager for Stone Brewing, Southern California.

  • Dustin Cherry, Client Strategist, Force Brands - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Dustin Cherry

    Client Strategist, Force Brands

  • Dustin Cherry, Client Strategist, Force Brands - BevNET Live Winter 2018

    Dustin Cherry

    Client Strategist, Force Brands

WINTER 2018 AGENDA

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    1:00 PM
    Beverage School Registration & Networking

    Location: Catalina Room @ Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90401)

    Beverage School is half-day introductory seminar covering the nuts and bolts of launching a beverage brand.

    ** SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED **

  • 1:00 PM
    -
    1:10 PM
    Introduction
  • 1:10 PM
    -
    1:35 PM
    Design
    • Kelly Criswell
      , Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency
      Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency -

      Kelly Criswell

      Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency

      Kelly Criswell is a visionary and creative leader, shepherding The GRO Agency as the Chief Creative Officer based in the Los Angeles office. With a fierce love of beverage branding and a 16+ year career in CPG brand development and packaging design, Kelly will relentlessly push brands to the next level for success on shelf. Over her career she has worked with such notable brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestlé, Premier Nutrition, Diageo, and Red Bull. Her latest modus operandi is harnessing her extensive experience in CPG to help entrepreneurs and start-ups launch their brands. Her current passion project is Kabaki Kenyan Purple Tea- she has teamed up with the founder Martin and helped him position, brand, package, and develop go-to-market strategy for a 2018 launch. When she’s not obsessively taking photos in grocery stores (say hi if you see her!) she’s painting or hiking with her two kids.

    • Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency
  • 1:35 PM
    -
    2:00 PM
    Launching in Retail
    • Hector Gonzalez Jr.
      , Director of Merchandising, Gonzalez Northgate Markets
    • Robert Macias
      , VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations
      Robert Macias, VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations -

      Robert Macias

      VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations

      Born in Los Angeles, California, Robert Macias was raised in the San Fernando Valley. Robert attended San Fernando Valley College. Soon afterwards, Robert started working at Pickwick Records where he held positions of warehouse supervisor, to sales representative. Robert was instrumental in persuading the Pickwick buyers from a mainstream purchasing pattern to the new the exploding new wave and punk rock scene. Robert was recognized for his bold and visionary views. In 1984, Robert started working for Coca-Cola. Hired as a merchandiser, Robert was quickly moved to sales and held positions throughout the Los Angeles basin. Robert was promoted to District Sales Manager in 1990. In 1996 Robert was appointed to Sales Manager at Los Angeles Sales Center with the objective to build the same culture that he achieved while a District Manager in Sylmar. Robert reengineered the entire sales system and changed the face of sales center. Robert introduced the "Men in Black" reset team. The "Men in Black" were identified as the best of the best merchandisers, but lacked either the desired formal education, training and leadership. With the help of District Managers, Robert developed a weekly training program revolved around communication, business math, volume trends and the ability to rise above. The Men in Black worked closely with the Sales Team, and were assigned key areas in Los Angeles. The objective was to dominate the trade with selected best selling brands, and introducing new beverages. In 1999 Robert was promoted to Branch Manager, Downey Production Center, Downey, California. From 1999 to 2005, Robert managed the Downey, City of Industry, Ventura/Bishop, Sylmar/Lancaster and the Los Angeles Sales Center. It was in Los Angeles, as the Sales Center Manager, where Robert developed many visionary platforms. Robert was the only Sales Center Manager appointed to the company's Atlanta Based Diversity and Inclusion Council. Robert was instrumental in creating Blue Demon energy drink and through area focused taste tests, recommended to the brand team, switching the Coke Zero package from a white package to a black package. Robert also recommended the target audience by reviewing data, and using "no sugar" as the tagline. The sampling platform was Classic Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. In 2016 Robert joined LA Libations as Brand Manager for Arriba Horchata. Robert introduced Arriba to Vallarta Markets, all three SKU's and in over 33 outlets. Since January, 2017 Robert now manages the LAL Field Team as the VP of Field Operations. Robert quickly introduced Repsly, which tracks guidance and results. Robert teaches his team productivity data, and to treat each business with the same tactics Robert learned from his experiences and methods he learned in his 32 years at Coca-Cola. They have successfully developed key areas in the Southern California area. Robert and his team have lead and participated in numerous meetings sharing "the secret sauce", and in trade visits showing others how to win the marketplace. Robert is an active cyclist, kayak fisherman and music fan, Robert lives in Santa Clarita with his wife of 23 years and their son Neil and beautiful daughter Susha. Robert's has two older sons, Rawley who owns Rouleur Brewery in Carlsbad, and Drew who is a Key Account Manager for Stone Brewing, Southern California.

    • Hector Gonzalez Jr., Director of Merchandising, Gonzalez Northgate Markets
    • Robert Macias, VP of Field Operations, L.A. Libations
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:20 PM
    The Life of The Entrepreneur
    • Austin Allan
      , Founder, Tio Gazpacho
    • Austin Allan, Founder, Tio Gazpacho
  • 2:20 PM
    -
    2:45 PM
    Break
  • 2:45 PM
    -
    3:10 PM
    Marketing at Launch
    • Arthur Gallego
      , Principal, Gallego & Co.
      Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co. -

      Arthur Gallego

      Principal, Gallego & Co.

      Arthur Gallego runs Gallego & Co., a marketing consulting firm specializing in natural and emerging food & beverage brands. Gallego is a familiar name if you drink coconut water: he helped launch Vita Coco in 2004 and has worked with the brand ever since. He also works with Bulletproof 360; UGLY Drinks; LIFEAID Beverage Co. and Chomps meat snacks. Gallego is a well-regarded marketing strategist, branding and communications expert and has been a regular guest on MSNBC and been quoted by CBS News, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

    • Arthur Gallego, Principal, Gallego & Co.
  • 3:10 PM
    -
    3:35 PM
    Cap Tables and Dilution: What Investment Means
    • Jeremy Halpern
      , Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter
      Jeremy Halpern, Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter -

      Jeremy Halpern

      Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter

      Jeremy Halpern is a partner and co-chairs and serves as the Director of Business Development for Nutter’s Emerging Companies Group. Jeremy’s practice focuses on emerging companies, private equity, venture capital and angel financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, executive and team compensation matters, and general start-up support. Serving as the firm’s entrepreneur-in-residence, Jeremy often works on strategy and corporate development matters with companies, investors, and executives in technology, life sciences and the food and beverage industry. Jeremy is an active angel investor and is a member of the board of The Capital Network, a Boston based non-profit serving entrepreneurs seeking high growth capital. Jeremy serves on the Advisory Board and the Executive Education Committee of the MBI Health Program and on the Advisory Board of Pintley, a MassChallenge 2011 finalist company providing marketing solutions to the craft brewers and bars. He continues to serve as a mentor at MassChallenge and LearnLaunch, an expert advisor at the Innovation Hub at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and as a speaker, reviewer, judge or mentor for MIT HackingMedicine, HackingPediatrics, the Mass Tech Transfer Center, the Mass Life Science Center, M2D2, BranchFood and Startup Institute. Previously Jeremy served on the Board and Investment Committee of MassVentures, an early stage venture capital fund funding technology companies in Massachusetts. Jeremy taught entrepreneurial leadership at Tufts University for nine years and cofounded a company in the mobile technology synchronization space. Jeremy received his B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

    • Jeremy Halpern, Partner & Director of Business Development, Nutter
  • 3:35 PM
    -
    4:00 PM
    Hiring and Company Structure
    • Dustin Cherry
      , Client Strategist, Force Brands
    • Dustin Cherry, Client Strategist, Force Brands
  • 4:00 PM
    -
    5:00 PM
    Roundtable Networking Session

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 7:00 AM
    -
    8:00 AM
    Breakfast, Registration & Networking
    Location: Arcadia Ballroom @ Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90401)
  • 8:00 AM
    -
    9:30 AM
    New Beverage Showdown Semifinals
    • Matt Hughes
      , Vice President, Emerging Brands Incubation, VEB Coca-Cola
      Matt Hughes, Vice President, Emerging Brands Incubation, VEB Coca-Cola -

      Matt Hughes

      Vice President, Emerging Brands Incubation, VEB Coca-Cola

      As VP Emerging Brands Incubation for Venturing & Emerging Brands, Matt Hughes leads emerging brand commercial strategies across channels and routes to market, and drives emerging brand sales in the Natural channel. He's been in the industry for over 30 years, and launched three entrepreneurial beverage brands prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company. He has served as COO of a mid-sized beverage company and led a regional bottling company as Division President. With a keen knowledge and awareness of business opportunity, Matt is able to identify niche markets, develop relevant strategy and implement to success. Matt's entrepreneurial background makes him a keen observer who's on the leading edge of trends.

    • Kelly Criswell
      , Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency
      Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency -

      Kelly Criswell

      Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency

      Kelly Criswell is a visionary and creative leader, shepherding The GRO Agency as the Chief Creative Officer based in the Los Angeles office. With a fierce love of beverage branding and a 16+ year career in CPG brand development and packaging design, Kelly will relentlessly push brands to the next level for success on shelf. Over her career she has worked with such notable brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestlé, Premier Nutrition, Diageo, and Red Bull. Her latest modus operandi is harnessing her extensive experience in CPG to help entrepreneurs and start-ups launch their brands. Her current passion project is Kabaki Kenyan Purple Tea- she has teamed up with the founder Martin and helped him position, brand, package, and develop go-to-market strategy for a 2018 launch. When she’s not obsessively taking photos in grocery stores (say hi if you see her!) she’s painting or hiking with her two kids.

    • Pat Bolden
      , President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations
      Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations -

      Pat Bolden

      President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

      Patrick Bolden is a business expert with 24 years of beverage experience. Alcohol, non-alcohol, traditional, non-traditional, on and off premise are many aspects of the beverage industry that are familiar to Pat. Pat is the Co-Founder and President of L.A. Libations. After a short stint playing professional basketball, Pat began in beverage by working for 7up / Rc Bottling in 1993. He worked in a variety of different roles there from field sales to operations to national accounts. After 7 years he transitioned to the Coca Cola Company into their trade development department and called on national accounts such as BP ampm, Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club. In 2005, Pat took on a National Account Manager role at Heineken USA. Learning the ins and outs and legalities of the alcoholic beverage industry was challenging but rewarding. This experience allowed Pat to be much better-rounded within the beverage channel but also understand how to create a new approach to being innovative and disruptive. In 2009 Pat, Danny and Dino started this organization to position “better for you and healthy alternative” products in mainstream retail accounts. Pat’s strength are his deep nationwide retail relationships. He has always said “providing value is the key to true partnership.” Innovation and incubation continue to be the phases of beverage brands where Pat’s experience shines. His passion to integrate beverages that are centered on health and wellness into mainstream outlets is what drives him to trail blaze in this industry and his results speak for themself.

    • Mike Schneider
      , CMO, BevNET.com
      Mike Schneider, CMO, BevNET.com -

      Mike Schneider

      CMO, BevNET.com

      Mike Schneider is a seasoned executive who lives at the collision of brand, experience and product. He has deep roots in branding, mobile, content and events. Prior to BevNET, Schneider lead major rebranding efforts for Skyhook and GasBuddy and was the CMO of Apptopia. He also spent over 8 years in big Boston ad agencies Hill, Holliday and allen and gerritsen leading content, digital innovation and analytics teams. A long-time blogger and thought-leader, Schneider got his start drinking and evaluating craft beer and co-wrote Location Based Marketing for Dummies.

    • Matt Hughes, Vice President, Emerging Brands Incubation, VEB Coca-Cola
    • Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer, The GRO Agency
    • Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations
    • Mike Schneider, CMO, BevNET.com

     Watch Video

  • 9:30 AM
    -
    10:00 AM
    Networking Break & Livestream Studio
  • 10:00 AM
    -
    10:05 AM
    Welcome Remarks
  • 10:05 AM
    -
    10:30 AM
    Keeping the Attachment -- GT's Kombucha
    • GT Dave
      , Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods
      GT Dave, Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods -

      GT Dave

      Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods

      GT Dave is the category creator of the Kombucha industry with his line of #1 selling products known as GT's Kombucha & Synergy. Over 20 years ago while he was barely a teenager, GT started brewing and bottling his authentic organic raw Kombucha in his parent's kitchen in Los Angeles.  Since then, he has expanded his company's portfolio beyond Kombucha and has once again become a pioneer of cutting-edge wellness offerings including non-dairy kefirs, non-dairy raw coconut yogurts, probiotic shots, adaptogenic teas, and much more.   GT continues to be the creative and visionary force behind all of GT's Living Foods while allowing the company to remain family-owned and operated. 

    • GT Dave, Founder & CEO, GT’s Living Foods

     Watch Video

  • 10:30 AM
    -
    10:55 AM
    Brand in Transition -- Forto
    • Neel Premkumar
      , Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee
      Neel Premkumar, Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee -

      Neel Premkumar

      Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee

      Neel Premkumar created FORTO Coffee to fuel the next generation of coffee lovers, looking for a fast coffee energy boost. Today, FORTO is the #1 Coffee Shot and the best-selling shelf-stable Organic Bottled Coffee in the U.S., sold in over 50,000 retail stores. The company has been on Inc.500’s fastest-growing company list for multiple years, and Neel is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Prior to becoming the Founder and CEO of FORTO, Neel was a marketing executive at Nestle, and beforehand, founded a boutique marketing agency called CreativeHub, with clients that included Unilever, General Mills and Samsung. Neel holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business, a Graduate Marketing degree from The University of Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. He resides with his wife and twin girls near New York City.

    • Neel Premkumar, Founder & CEO, FORTO Coffee

     Watch Video

  • 10:55 AM
    -
    11:20 AM
    Walmart As Your Launchpad
    • Sarah Alderson
      , DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart
      Sarah Alderson, DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart -

      Sarah Alderson

      DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart

      Sarah Alderson leads the refrigerated buying teams at Walmart. A 10-year veteran of the company's food business, she has worked in Private Brands and in a variety of buying roles in merchandising. She is working to create a new shopping experience in Walmart's refrigerated set and is passionate about growing American entrepreneurial companies to cultivate a new assortment to surprise and delight her customers.

    • Sarah Alderson, DMM of Chilled Packaged Goods, Walmart

     Watch Video

  • 11:20 AM
    -
    11:45 AM
    Anheuser Busch/InBev Go Beyond Beer
    • Randy Ornstein
      , Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev
      Randy Ornstein, Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev -

      Randy Ornstein

      Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev

      Randy Ornstein is the Vice President of Beyond Beer Sales at Anheuser-Busch, responsible for all aspects of A-B’s growing non-alcohol (NA) business and the distribution of our non-beer alcohol brands. Previously, Randy led A-B’s NA team and was its first member in 2016 as General Manager of Teavana Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Craft Iced Teas, leading the partnership with Starbucks. Randy joined A-B in 2005 and spent six years living in Bentonville, AR working as Walmart's Beer Category Advisor. He was responsible for managing 12 national store-level resets, as well as advising Walmart on growing beer category dollars. In 2011, Randy moved to St. Louis to become Senior Director of Category Management for all national grocers. He helped the retailers better manage their beer category space and worked on solutions to drive sales, including initiatives to decrease out-of-stocks. In 2014, Randy was promoted to Vice President of U.S. Sales for Walmart and Sam’s Club and created the “Your Bud Light Headquarters” program that drove significant share of market growth for Bud Light, along with his creation of an on-shelf availability app for wholesalers to reduce out-of-stocks. Randy holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University and an MBA in retail business from the University of Arkansas. Randy, his wife Hayley, and his children, Reed and Ila, live in Montclair, NJ.

    • Randy Ornstein, Vice President Sales, Beyond Beer Portfolio, Anheuser-Busch InBev

     Watch Video

  • 11:45 AM
    -
    12:05 PM
    Building Premium Brands Through Channel
    • Bill Creelman
      , Founder & CEO, Spindrift
      Bill Creelman, Founder & CEO, Spindrift -

      Bill Creelman

      Founder & CEO, Spindrift

      Bill Creelman is the Founder of Spindrift Beverage Co., Inc. and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Spindrift, Bill co-founded Stirrings which sold to Diageo in 2009. Bill grew up on a farm in Western Massachusetts where all the food was unprocessed, seasonal, and fresh. In 2010, he began making his own sparkling beverages to help him kick his fiendish Diet Coke habit. He wanted something refreshing with real ingredients he could pronounce and enjoy with his young family. After much trial and error, he achieved this by combining 2 simple ingredients: fresh fruit and triple-filtered sparkling water. He named it Spindrift. Today, Spindrift is made up of 75 passionate employees dedicated to changing the sparkling beverages. Spindrift is leading beverage into a new age of transparency and ingredient simplicity by offering no artificial sweeteners, no natural flavorings, and no essences. Spindrift was recently named to Inc. Magazine 500 fasting growing companies and 2 time recipient of Bevnet Product of the Year awards. Bill lives outside of Boston with his wife, Harley, and 4 kids.

    • Bill Creelman, Founder & CEO, Spindrift

     Watch Video

  • 12:05 PM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Fiji Case Study: Keeping Mature Brands Vital
    • Elizabeth Stephenson
      , President, Fiji Water Group
      Elizabeth Stephenson, President, Fiji Water Group -

      Elizabeth Stephenson

      President, Fiji Water Group

      Elizabeth Stephenson is president of the FIJI Water Group, a division of The Wonderful Company. The FIJI Water Group is comprised of FIJI Water, Justin Winery and Vineyards, Landmark Winery and Vineyards, and the Neptune Pacific Line, a shipping company in the South Pacific. FIJI Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in the United States and has expanded globally to more than 80 countries. Elizabeth joined The Wonderful Company in 2015 to lead the company’s Strategy Group, an internal consulting group responsible for strategy, M&A, change management, and special projects. In 2016, she became president of POM Wonderful, the leading pomegranate brand and producer in the world, known for its POM Wonderful Juices and Teas, POM POMs pomegranate arils, and POM-brand fresh pomegranates. Elizabeth transitioned to her present role in the Spring of 2018. Previously, Elizabeth was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where she served clients on long-term strategy and strategic growth topics, from 2001–2015. While there, she specialized in large-scale, corporate portfolio strategy and growth strategy working at the C-suite and board level, primarily for Fortune 100 companies. Elizabeth holds a B.A. magna cum laude from Yale in cultural anthropology and an M.A. in European history from Columbia. A former Fulbright scholar and Mellon fellow, she did doctoral work in cultural anthropology at the University of Chicago.

    • Elizabeth Stephenson, President, Fiji Water Group

     Watch Video

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    12:40 PM
    BevNET's Best of 2018 Presentation; Announcement of New Beverage Showdown Finalists

     Watch Video

  • 12:40 PM
    -
    2:00 PM
    Lunch & Livestream Studio
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Extending Platforms to Food
    Location: Venice Room, Lobby Floor, through the Ocean & Vine Restaurant 
    • Doug Radi
      , President & CEO, Good Karma Foods
      Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods -

      Doug Radi

      President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

      Doug is a classical, ‘big company’ packaged goods marketer turned growth entrepreneur in the natural products industry. He currently serves as President and CEO of Good Karma Foods, one of the fastest growing Brands in the plant-based dairy category. Prior to Good Karma, Doug served as interim General Manager of Rudi’s Organic Bakery after the successful sale to The Hain Celestial Group. During his tenure at Rudi’s, Doug was responsible for all key growth initiatives, acting as SVP of Sales & Marketing where he was able to more than double revenue in less than 4 years. He has 22 years of experience in various consumer products categories, including healthcare, snack foods, frozen, dairy, and organic. Doug has held various leadership positions with many leading consumer brands such as Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, and Doritos. Passionate about the natural products industry, Doug is a past President of Naturally Boulder, serves on a number of small company boards, and regularly mentors emerging brand entrepreneurs. He has an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and a MBA in Marketing from Wake Forest University.

    • Karen Huh
      , Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof
      Karen Huh, Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof -

      Karen Huh

      Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof

      Karen Huh joined Bulletproof 360 as the Vice President of Product & Brand Strategy in December 2015. Karen led the overhaul of Bulletproof rebranding effort in 2016 and 2017 and during her tenure at Bulletproof has launched over 30 products across food, beverage and supplements. In addition to product strategy, Karen also leads R&D, marketing, communications, and content. Prior to Bulletproof, Karen was at Starbucks Coffee Company for nearly 11 years in a wide range of roles including coffee innovation, launch of RTD and packaged coffee in international markets, and the acquisition of Evolution Fresh. Before joining Starbucks, Karen was an investment professional at two tech-focused venture capital firms. Karen lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Ernie and two kids.

    • Alan Murray
      , CEO, Goodbelly
      Alan Murray, CEO, Goodbelly -

      Alan Murray

      CEO, Goodbelly

      NextFoods CEO Alan Murray has worked with the beverage industry for more than 20 years, having held various international marketing and general management roles within packaging giant Tetra Pak. As CEO in North America, he worked closely with many leading beverage brands and played a key role in bringing new packaging formats to the U.S. In 2010 he decided to step into the startup world by taking on the CEO role at NextFoods, makers of probiotic juice, GoodBelly. Murray was instrumental in licensing the brand’s patented probiotic technology from Sweden and participated in early activities such as brand creation and pitching to investors. Murray is also Vice Chairman of the publicly listed company SunOpta, a $1 billion global provider of natural and organic foods ingredients. His experience includes board work for private equity and venture backed companies in the packaging and food industries. He has worked closely with CEO’s as coach and sounding board in companies ranging in size from pre-revenue all the way to $1billion. He was the founder of the North American Carton Council, an industry body that serves to promote the recycling of cartons in the US. A graduate of the University of Cape Town, South Africa with a degree in Biochemistry and Applied Statistics, Murray participated in the Unilever Management Development Program and has attended various courses at the Business School IMD in Lausanne Switzerland. He is a Guest Speaker at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and has taught case studies of his work at London’s Ashridge Business School.

    • Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods
    • Karen Huh, Vice President, Product & Brand Strategy, Bulletproof
    • Alan Murray, CEO, Goodbelly
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Regulatory and Legal Updates
    Location: Room 731
    • Justin Prochnow
      , Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
      Justin Prochnow, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP -

      Justin Prochnow

      Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

      Justin is an attorney and shareholder in the Denver office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. His practice focuses on representing companies in the beverage, food, and dietary supplement and providing assistance on regulatory and legal issues. He reviews labels and packaging, websites and other promotional and advertising materials to ensure that the labels are technically compliant and appropriate claims are being made. He assists many companies with responses to FDA actions like warning letters, inspections and recalls, as well as FTC investigations. He also prepares and reviews industry contracts such as supplier and manufacturing agreements. And lately, he has been defending companies in class action lawsuits over labeling claims like "all natural" filed in California and other states.

    • Justin Prochnow, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Grow Your Amazon Sales... Like Mushrooms
    Location: Palisades Salon, 5th Floor
    • Tero Isokauppila
      , Founder, Four Sigmatic
      Tero Isokauppila, Founder, Four Sigmatic -

      Tero Isokauppila

      Founder, Four Sigmatic

      Tero Isokauppila is the founder Four Sigmatic, a nature-centric Nordic company specializing in functional superfoods, mushrooms, and adaptogens. Tero’s roots (or mycelium, if you will) are in Finland where he grew up foraging for mushrooms and other wild foods on his family’s farm. He later earned a degree in Chemistry and a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition at Cornell University. In 2012, Tero founded Four Sigmatic with the dream of bringing a little Everyday Magic to the lives of all. An expert in all things related to mushrooms and natural health, Tero is the author of two books: Healing Mushrooms: A Practical and Culinary Guide to Using Adaptogenic Mushrooms for Whole Body Health, his first book from Avery Publishing, and this Fall’s Santa Sold Shrooms, the untold story of Saint Nicholas. Tero was chosen as one of the world's Top 50 Food Activists by the Academy of Culinary Nutrition and has appeared in Time, Forbes, BuzzFeed, Vogue, W Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Bon Appétit. He is also a sought-after speaker, having been featured at Summit Series, Wanderlust, Further Future, and the Culinary Nutrition Conference. In 2012 Tero bid the cold Finnish winters goodbye and now resides in sunny Southern California.

    • Tero Isokauppila, Founder, Four Sigmatic
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Flavor Trends: Insights from the Experts
    Location: Catalina Room, Lobby Floor
    • Emmanuel Laroche
      , VP, Marketing, Symrise
    • Emmanuel Laroche, VP, Marketing, Symrise
  • 2:40 PM
    -
    2:50 PM
    Networking Break
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: Food Service: Two Lenses into the Channel
    Location: Venice Room, Lobby Floor, through the Ocean & Vine Restaurant 
    • Adam Hertel
      , Senior VP of Sales - Grocery & Alternate Channels, ITO EN (North America) INC.
    • Gerry Martin
      , President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company
      Gerry Martin, President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company -

      Gerry Martin

      President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company

      Gerry is a 35 plus year veteran of the beverage industry and currently serves as President and CEO for one of the largest independent beverage dispensing Company’s in the Country in Al’s Beverages. Prior to Al’s, Gerry was a key player in both the Cola and Polar Wars having spent time operationally with Pepsi Cola In the 80’s and mid 90’s and over 17 years with independent giant, Polar Beverages. Gerry’s experiences include an in depth knowledge of both On and Off Premise sales and marketing and has a hands on history of product launches while dealing with buyers from Corporate to Independent Bottlers and at all levels of Retail. As Polar’s brand gatekeeper, Gerry played a major role in launching dozens of startup brands including Monster Energy, Vitamin Water, Fiji Water, and Nantucket Nectars and accurately foresaw the industry’s sparkling water growth by helping to develop Polar single serve and seasonal seltzers. Gerry has been a Bevnet Live contributor over the years where he has helped educate entrepreneurial brand owners on how to navigate distributor and retailer financial hurdles. Gerry is a graduate of Assumption College in Worcester MA and serves as a board member on the International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association (IBDEA) where he joins other dispensing executives in navigating the next wave of dispensed offerings.

    • Alicia LeBeouf
      , SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group
      Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group -

      Alicia LeBeouf

      SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

      Alicia LeBeouf is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Culinary Operations for Canteen, a sector of Compass Group North America which accounts for over $4B in managed volume and the largest footprint of automated unattended merchandising (vending), markets, and coffee solutions through corporate and franchise locations in the United States. In this role, Alicia is primarily responsible for supporting the brand’s transition from traditional vending to a consumer-driven unattended retail platform and facilitating its efforts to curate unique breakroom programs for corporations, entertainment venues and other public spaces. Alicia also oversees Canteen’s “grab-and-go” food portfolio and partnerships with food delivery service platforms. Prior to this role, Alicia held several roles at Target Corporation (Minneapolis, MN), the most recent of which she was the Senior Director of Store Operations, where she led strategy and operational development efforts for store openings, closings, in-store innovation and the creation of small store formats (Target Express). During her tenure at Target, Alicia also held roles focusing on consumer engagement initiatives, innovation, public-private partnerships and the transition of Target’s pharmacy portfolio to CVS. Alicia holds B.A. and M.A degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Economics and Public Administration, respectively. She enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with her 2 year old son MJ and 6 month old daughter Sydney. When she has spare time, Alicia can be found in the gym, reading a good book or honing her culinary skills in the kitchen.

    • Adam Hertel, Senior VP of Sales - Grocery & Alternate Channels, ITO EN (North America) INC.
    • Gerry Martin, President & CEO, Al's Beverage Company
    • Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: Winning at the Shelf: How to Leverage Data for Retail Execution
    Location: Catalina Room, Lobby Floor
    • Max Baumann
      , Founder & CEO, Bear Brands, Basemakers
    • Matthew Brogie
      , CEO, Repsly
    • Max Baumann, Founder & CEO, Bear Brands, Basemakers
    • Matthew Brogie, CEO, Repsly
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: The Shifting Landscape of Tea Beverages
    Location: Ocean & Vine, Lobby Floor
    • Arthur Lopez
      , Director of Sales, North America, Finlays
    • Arthur Lopez, Director of Sales, North America, Finlays
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: The Future of Functionality: CBD and Beverage
    Location: Palisades Salon. 5th Floor
    • Stephen Horgan
      , Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital
      Stephen Horgan, Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital -

      Stephen Horgan

      Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital

      Stephen Horgan is an experienced senior executive and entrepreneur who has successfully built businesses domestically and internationally. For over 20 years, he served in executive positions for The Coca-Cola Company, Coors Brewing Company and MillerCoors where his talents most often started or transformed organizations and resulted in dramatic improvements in capability and performance. He is a leader with highly developed general business acumen and skills in strategy development and commercialization, distribution, customer management, franchise management, sales and global retail. His focus segments have been CPG, food, beverage, distribution, global retailers and franchising. He has worked extensively in both domestic and international markets in Europe, South America and Asia where he forged a strong track record and developed deep knowledge, understanding and strategic relationships. Mr. Horgan is a founding partner of InterContinental Beverage Capital. Established in 2013, Intercontinental Beverage Capital (IBC) is a New York-based, global advisory and investment group focused specifically on the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. In 2011, Horgan launched Brand Aspirations with his wife Cathy. It is a consulting and investment company specializing in nurturing and developing emerging CPG, Food and Beverage companies. Brand Aspirations works with a broad range of companies and brands to compress the business cycle and deliver accelerated results. He has worked with the largest bottling and distribution companies in the world and launched ground breaking businesses and organizations in his time with The Coca-Cola Company. His legacy includes creating the foundation and models for still active businesses with Walmart, Global Retailers and TCCC hydration businesses. He also developed a world class organization as Coors Brewing Company’s CCO. Early in his career, Mr. Horgan worked for the Atlantic Richfield Company in marketing and franchise management and was a labor negotiator with United Technologies. He serves on the board of directors for The Career Platform and TQ Logistics. Stephen graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with bachelors degrees in Business and Economics. He received his MBA in Business Management and Finance from the University of Connecticut School of Business. He was born in South Boston, MA. and grew up in Schenectady, NY. Mr. Horgan is active in community service, and served on the advisory board of Children’s Miracle Network as well as numerous other industry advisory committees. He is a sports enthusiast, and enjoys history and travel. He is a current member of the University of Connecticut and University of New York alumni associations. He is married to Catherine B. Horgan of Marengo, Iowa, and has four children. Mr. Horgan resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his family.

    • Jessica Lukas
      , VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc.
      Jessica Lukas, VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc. -

      Jessica Lukas

      VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc.

      Prior to joining BDS Analytics, Jessica Lukas spent 10 years working with top global CPG and Beverage Alcohol companies at BASES (Nielsen Innovation) and on the shopper marketing team at Dr Pepper Snapple Group. After taking a short break to develop and launch an app with a business partner, Jessica returned to data analytics—but this time for cannabis. At BDS Analytics, she is the VP of Consumer Insights. BDS Analytics is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and is the leader in data, market research, analytics, and consumer insights for the cannabis industry. She helps clients understand the evolution of the cannabis market and consumer in order to assess the opportunities and threats that drive strategic decisions. Given her many years spent working within beverages (alcohol and non), the interaction, overlap, substitutability, pairing of cannabis with beverages is a particular focus.

    • Doug Christoph
      , Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital
      Doug Christoph, Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital -

      Doug Christoph

      Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital

      Doug is a managing partner at Intercontinental Beverage Capital (IBC), a New York-based global advisory and investment firm focused on the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries in the $500-100million range, with unique functional beverage products, services, and proprietary game-changing technologies. Most of his expertise has been focused in the areas of brand strategy, development and design, packaging, positioning, consumer insights and the shopper exerience, new product launch initiatives, social and digital marketing, client engagement, as well as those busineses needing access and a path to investment capital. Prior to IBC, Doug was a senior executive and Global Brand Marketing, Business Development, and Emerging Brands professional from The Coca-Cola Company and Miller Coors, as well as his involvement in several early stage businesses since 2011. For over 20 years, he has focused on driving business strategy and performance, revenue growth, profitability, and building value based relationships in large multi-national companies with iconic global brands, complex international business systems, and annual sales of $4-30B worldwide. He is extremely comfortable and effecive working across diverse international cultures throughout the world. World Regions include: ASEAN/SE Asia, mainland China/Hong Kong, APAC (Japan, South Korea, Australia), South Pacific/Hawaiian Islands, Europe (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, UK), Mexico, and North America. Channel expertise: Convenience Retail, Grocery, Retail Mass, Club/Warehouse, Drug, On-Premise (Bars, Clubs, Alcohol/Adult Beverages), Casino/Hotel, Sports Venues, Traditional/Modern Trade, and more recently Dispensaries for the sale and distribution of recreational Cannabis and CBD. Prior to his Coca-Cola journey, Doug worked 10 years for Miller Brewing (MillerCoors) where he held several key positions involving Brand/Lifestyle Marketing, Strategic Planning, Live Music, Events and Entertainment, Sports Sponsorships, and Celebrity Talent Mgt. working with many of the most popular campaigns of the era involving Miller’s portfolio of brands (Lite Beer from Miller, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller High Life, Leinenkugel, and many others.) As a part of a personal mission, Doug has also been involved in The Cambodian Children’s Fund in Phnom Penh, Cambodia an organization dedicated to the transformation of impoverished children into tomorrow’s leaders through education, free medical and health care, family support, and community development programs. He is based in Atlanta, GA USA.

    • Stephen Horgan, Executive VP, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, InterContinental Beverage Capital
    • Jessica Lukas, VP, Consumer Insights, BDS Analytics, Inc.
    • Doug Christoph, Managing Partner, Intercontinental Beverage Capital
  • 3:30 PM
    -
    5:30 PM
  • 6:30 PM
    -
    8:30 PM
    BevNET Live Afterparty Powered by ForceBrands
    Location: Museum of Flying @ 3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405

    All registered BevNET Live Winter 2018 attendees are invited to attend. A conference badge and valid ID are required for admittance.

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 8:30 AM
    -
    9:00 AM
    Breakfast & Registration
  • 9:00 AM
    -
    9:25 AM
    Data Dive: How Independent Brands Spend to Drive Beverage Categories
    • Andrew Henkel
      , Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS
      Andrew Henkel, Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS -

      Andrew Henkel

      Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS

      Andrew joined SPINS in 2015 to help the most innovative health & wellness brands in the industry grow even faster. The Brand Growth Solutions team now advises a broad portfolio of high-performing brands and investors on marketing, sales, innovation, and M&A. The team leverages SPINS’ industry- leading market data in combination with robust consumer information, analytics, and strategic analyses to generate powerful insights and develop profitable growth solutions for our clients. Andrew brings a passion for the Natural and Specialty Products Industry, plus over twenty years of consumer brand experience in strategy, marketing, and innovation leadership roles at McKinsey, Kraft, and PepsiCo.

    • Andrew Henkel, Senior VP, Brand Growth Solutions, SPINS

     Watch Video

  • 9:25 AM
    -
    9:50 AM
    Growing and Staying the Course: A Conversation about Guayaki
    • David Karr
      , Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate
      David Karr, Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate -

      David Karr

      Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate

      David Karr is the Chief Brand Cebador of Guayaki SRP, inc., a company he co-founded with Alex Pryor, his “soul brother” in 1996. As the brand steward, David is responsible for the look, feel and story of Guayaki and is committed to creating sustainable, regenerating enterprises that nourish the planet and humanity. He lives on his community farm on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada with his wife Jennifer Lloyd and two boys Alex and Rio.

    • David Karr, Chief Brand Cebador/Co-founder, Guayakí Yerba Mate

     Watch Video

  • 9:50 AM
    -
    10:30 AM
    Deal Breakdown: Why Dean Foods Sought Good Karma
    • Doug Radi
      , President & CEO, Good Karma Foods
      Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods -

      Doug Radi

      President & CEO, Good Karma Foods

      Doug is a classical, ‘big company’ packaged goods marketer turned growth entrepreneur in the natural products industry. He currently serves as President and CEO of Good Karma Foods, one of the fastest growing Brands in the plant-based dairy category. Prior to Good Karma, Doug served as interim General Manager of Rudi’s Organic Bakery after the successful sale to The Hain Celestial Group. During his tenure at Rudi’s, Doug was responsible for all key growth initiatives, acting as SVP of Sales & Marketing where he was able to more than double revenue in less than 4 years. He has 22 years of experience in various consumer products categories, including healthcare, snack foods, frozen, dairy, and organic. Doug has held various leadership positions with many leading consumer brands such as Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Silk Soymilk, Horizon Organic, and Doritos. Passionate about the natural products industry, Doug is a past President of Naturally Boulder, serves on a number of small company boards, and regularly mentors emerging brand entrepreneurs. He has an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and a MBA in Marketing from Wake Forest University.

    • Sharon Kieffer
      , Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners
      Sharon Kieffer, Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners -

      Sharon Kieffer

      Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners

      Sharon Kieffer has spent the majority of her 20+ year career as a successful innovator and business builder in the consumer packaged goods industry. As an executive at PepsiCo and Kraft Foods she leveraged her strong consumer and business insights to create and build over $2 billion of new CPG businesses around the globe. Most notably she worked to launch Aquafina and Starbucks ready to drink beverages in the US and expand the Philadelphia and Kraft cheese brands into new categories internationally. Today, she is focused on working alongside entrepreneurs to help create the next generation of differentiated and high growth CPG businesses. As a partner at 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners, Sharon led the investment in Good Karma and continues to sit on the Board of Directors. Sharon began her marketing career in advertising at Leo Burnett, working on personal care and paper businesses. She spent the next 18+ years rising through the ranks in Marketing and Innovation at Kraft Foods, Fort James and PepsiCo. Most recently, Sharon was the VP of Global Innovation at PepsiCo where she led disruptive innovation efforts for the Quaker brand and Global Nutrition Group around the world. Sharon received both a B.B.A. and an M.B.A from the University of Wisconsin. She enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys and pursuing her passions of athletics, the outdoors and health and wellness. She is an avid Badger and Packer fan, has completed two marathons, biked through Italy and enjoys hiking whenever possible.

    • Alex Jacobs
      , VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Dean Foods Company
    • Doug Radi, President & CEO, Good Karma Foods
    • Sharon Kieffer, Managing Partner, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners
    • Alex Jacobs, VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Dean Foods Company

     Watch Video

  • 10:30 AM
    -
    11:00 AM
    Networking Break & Livestream Studio
  • 11:00 AM
    -
    11:30 AM
    New Beverage Showdown Finals I
    • Kellam Mattie
      , VP of Marketing & Innovation, VEB Coca-Cola
    • Ken Sadowsky
      , Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest
      Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest -

      Ken Sadowsky

      Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest

      Ken Sadowsky is known by insiders in the beverage business as “the beverage whisperer” for having an incredible track record of investing in and advising many of the fastest-growing and most successful new beverages over the last 20 years, including Glaceau/VitaminWater, VitaCoco, and Bai. Prior to becoming a prominent investor and advisor in the industry, Ken was a principal of Atlas Distributing Inc., overseeing the non-alcoholic beverage division that he developed. The division was founded in 1988 and sales were $50k that year. In 2007, sales were over $16 million and the total company sales were in excess of $75 million.

    • Vanessa Walker
      , Founder, Millennial Brands
    • John Craven
      , CEO & Founder, BevNET
      John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET -

      John Craven

      CEO & Founder, BevNET

      As founder and CEO of BevNET, John Craven is a widely-recognized authority on the beverage industry and he is frequently cited in mainstream media. His vision shapes the editorial, publishing, and positioning of all of BevNET's properties, including BevNET.com, BevNET Magazine, Brewbound.com, BevNET FBU and their associated conferences. John is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Computer Science.

    • Kellam Mattie, VP of Marketing & Innovation, VEB Coca-Cola
    • Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest
    • Vanessa Walker, Founder, Millennial Brands
    • John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET

     Watch Video

  • 11:30 AM
    -
    12:00 PM
    Taking the Risk: On Women in Beverage
    • Sheryl O'Loughlin
      , CEO, REBBL
      Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL -

      Sheryl O'Loughlin

      CEO, REBBL

      In 2017, Sheryl O'Loughlin introduced her book, Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart. She is currently the CEO of REBBL, the first super herb adaptogen beverage company. REBBL partners with Not for Sale, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating human trafficking. Sheryl was the CEO of Clif Bar and Company and co-founded and served as CEO for Plum, Inc. She has held positions in the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Sonoma State University, and she currently serves the boards of Once Upon a Farm, the Harvest Summit, and Conscious Capitalism. She is a member of the Forbes San Francisco Business Council and One Step Closer to a Sustainable Community (OSC2). Sheryl earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She lives in California with her husband, Patrick, and their two sons.

    • Sharelle Klaus
      , Founder & CEO, Dry Soda
      Sharelle Klaus, Founder & CEO, Dry Soda -

      Sharelle Klaus

      Founder & CEO, Dry Soda

      As the visionary behind DRY Soda Company, Sharelle Klaus has always had a passion for the culinary world and celebrating each part of a meal – including the beverage. After having four children, she didn’t want to let a lack of wine or cocktails stop her from creating a great pairing. Klaus recognized an absence of refreshing, clean, non-alcoholic options in the market, and became determined to create the first line of less-sweet sodas that was worthy of meal pairing and premium mixology. She believed savory and sweet flavors more commonly used in cuisine could offer exciting compliments to her favorite meals. In 2005, Klaus crafted the first batches of DRY Sparkling soda in her home kitchen and officially launched DRY Soda Co. a few months later. In 2018, she launched DRY Soda Co.’s second brand – DRY Zero Sugar organic sodas – to bring that same elevated experience to consumers seeking a better sugar-free soda option. Klaus brings nearly two decades of entrepreneurial, financial and technology industry experience to her role as CEO at DRY, and oversees all marketing, strategic planning and innovation for the brand. With guidance from some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chefs and a savvy corporate team, Klaus pioneered a new category of sparkling beverages, fearlessly leading DRY’s aggressive growth in a male dominated industry. Prior to founding DRY, Klaus worked as a consultant for Infrastructure Management Group and Price Waterhouse. She also served as president of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, where she drove strategic development of programs, events and fundraising for the organization’s 250+ Seattle-area members. Klaus has been featured by ParentMap, Huffpost, Forbes, BevNET, Seattle Magazine, Imbibe, and was honored by Seattle Business Magazine as one of its 2018 CEOs of the year. With a keen appreciation for humor and wit, Klaus is an avid supporter of entrepreneurship and frequently speaks at professional conferences, workshops, and the University of Washington Business School, where she also participates as a judge for the Michael G. Foster’s School’s well-known business plan competitions. She has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Seattle Pacific University Business School, the Board of Directors at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Board of the Seattle Lung Force. Klaus graduated from Seattle Pacific University with an undergraduate degree in political science, and currently resides in Seattle, Wash.

    • Vanessa Walker
      , Founder, Millennial Brands
    • Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL
    • Sharelle Klaus, Founder & CEO, Dry Soda
    • Vanessa Walker, Founder, Millennial Brands

     Watch Video

  • 12:00 PM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Beating the Break Room
    • Alicia LeBeouf
      , SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group
      Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group -

      Alicia LeBeouf

      SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

      Alicia LeBeouf is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Culinary Operations for Canteen, a sector of Compass Group North America which accounts for over $4B in managed volume and the largest footprint of automated unattended merchandising (vending), markets, and coffee solutions through corporate and franchise locations in the United States. In this role, Alicia is primarily responsible for supporting the brand’s transition from traditional vending to a consumer-driven unattended retail platform and facilitating its efforts to curate unique breakroom programs for corporations, entertainment venues and other public spaces. Alicia also oversees Canteen’s “grab-and-go” food portfolio and partnerships with food delivery service platforms. Prior to this role, Alicia held several roles at Target Corporation (Minneapolis, MN), the most recent of which she was the Senior Director of Store Operations, where she led strategy and operational development efforts for store openings, closings, in-store innovation and the creation of small store formats (Target Express). During her tenure at Target, Alicia also held roles focusing on consumer engagement initiatives, innovation, public-private partnerships and the transition of Target’s pharmacy portfolio to CVS. Alicia holds B.A. and M.A degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Economics and Public Administration, respectively. She enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with her 2 year old son MJ and 6 month old daughter Sydney. When she has spare time, Alicia can be found in the gym, reading a good book or honing her culinary skills in the kitchen.

    • Alicia LeBeouf, SVP of Marketing, Communications, and Culinary Operations, The Compass Group

     Watch Video

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    1:30 PM
    Lunch & Livestream Studio
  • 1:30 PM
    -
    2:00 PM
    New Beverage Showdown Finals II
    • Kellam Mattie
      , VP of Marketing & Innovation, VEB Coca-Cola
    • Ken Sadowsky
      , Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest
      Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest -

      Ken Sadowsky

      Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest

      Ken Sadowsky is known by insiders in the beverage business as “the beverage whisperer” for having an incredible track record of investing in and advising many of the fastest-growing and most successful new beverages over the last 20 years, including Glaceau/VitaminWater, VitaCoco, and Bai. Prior to becoming a prominent investor and advisor in the industry, Ken was a principal of Atlas Distributing Inc., overseeing the non-alcoholic beverage division that he developed. The division was founded in 1988 and sales were $50k that year. In 2007, sales were over $16 million and the total company sales were in excess of $75 million.

    • Vanessa Walker
      , Founder, Millennial Brands
    • John Craven
      , CEO & Founder, BevNET
      John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET -

      John Craven

      CEO & Founder, BevNET

      As founder and CEO of BevNET, John Craven is a widely-recognized authority on the beverage industry and he is frequently cited in mainstream media. His vision shapes the editorial, publishing, and positioning of all of BevNET's properties, including BevNET.com, BevNET Magazine, Brewbound.com, BevNET FBU and their associated conferences. John is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Computer Science.

    • Kellam Mattie, VP of Marketing & Innovation, VEB Coca-Cola
    • Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Beverage Advisor, Verlinvest
    • Vanessa Walker, Founder, Millennial Brands
    • John Craven, CEO & Founder, BevNET

     Watch Video

  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:15 PM
    L.A. Libations at 10: What We've Learned
    • Danny Stepper
      , Co-Founder & CEO, L.A. Libations
    • Pat Bolden
      , President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations
      Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations -

      Pat Bolden

      President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

      Patrick Bolden is a business expert with 24 years of beverage experience. Alcohol, non-alcohol, traditional, non-traditional, on and off premise are many aspects of the beverage industry that are familiar to Pat. Pat is the Co-Founder and President of L.A. Libations. After a short stint playing professional basketball, Pat began in beverage by working for 7up / Rc Bottling in 1993. He worked in a variety of different roles there from field sales to operations to national accounts. After 7 years he transitioned to the Coca Cola Company into their trade development department and called on national accounts such as BP ampm, Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club. In 2005, Pat took on a National Account Manager role at Heineken USA. Learning the ins and outs and legalities of the alcoholic beverage industry was challenging but rewarding. This experience allowed Pat to be much better-rounded within the beverage channel but also understand how to create a new approach to being innovative and disruptive. In 2009 Pat, Danny and Dino started this organization to position “better for you and healthy alternative” products in mainstream retail accounts. Pat’s strength are his deep nationwide retail relationships. He has always said “providing value is the key to true partnership.” Innovation and incubation continue to be the phases of beverage brands where Pat’s experience shines. His passion to integrate beverages that are centered on health and wellness into mainstream outlets is what drives him to trail blaze in this industry and his results speak for themself.

    • Dino Sarti
      , Co-Founder, L.A. Libations
      Dino Sarti, Co-Founder, L.A. Libations -

      Dino Sarti

      Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

      Dino Sarti is the chief executive officer of L.A. Aloe, LLC, makers of Aloe Gloe, and the co-founder of L.A. Libations, the premier national beverage development and sales organization specializing in super premium beverage brands in early phase development. Dino’s professional background includes 20 years of experience in the beverage industry from operations to customer management and brand development. His sales management experience covers every channel of trade and virtually every chain retailer nationwide. He acquired knowledge of complex distribution systems while managing a direct store delivery sales force for Coca-Cola in Southern California. Dino then went on to develop channel specific selling strategies as an account executive for Coca-Cola calling on national retailers. After completing an MBA at Pepperdine, Dino caught the entrepreneurial bug and joined Icelandic Glacial water as vice president of national sales where he played a key role in securing an investment from Anheuser-Busch and then rolling the brand out across the A-B national network. Dino’s tenure in emerging brands revealed a void in the market – early phase brands lack a portfolio approach and do not have the economies of scale to afford or justify a dedicated national team. In addition, large and established companies lack the processes and capabilities for incubating emerging, growth oriented brands. This void in the market and associated opportunities gave birth to the idea of L.A. Libations, a brand developer, and incubator. The L.A. Libations model proved highly successful.

    • Danny Stepper, Co-Founder & CEO, L.A. Libations
    • Pat Bolden, President & Co-Founder, L.A. Libations
    • Dino Sarti, Co-Founder, L.A. Libations

     Watch Video

  • 2:15 PM
    -
    2:35 PM
    Building Trust Between Investors and Founders
    • Sheryl O'Loughlin
      , CEO, REBBL
      Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL -

      Sheryl O'Loughlin

      CEO, REBBL

      In 2017, Sheryl O'Loughlin introduced her book, Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart. She is currently the CEO of REBBL, the first super herb adaptogen beverage company. REBBL partners with Not for Sale, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating human trafficking. Sheryl was the CEO of Clif Bar and Company and co-founded and served as CEO for Plum, Inc. She has held positions in the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Sonoma State University, and she currently serves the boards of Once Upon a Farm, the Harvest Summit, and Conscious Capitalism. She is a member of the Forbes San Francisco Business Council and One Step Closer to a Sustainable Community (OSC2). Sheryl earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She lives in California with her husband, Patrick, and their two sons.

    • Duane Primozich
      , Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures
      Duane Primozich, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures -

      Duane Primozich

      Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures

      Duane began his career in natural foods nearly two decades ago. In that time he has served in management positions for several prominent natural foods companies, including Frontier Natural Products Co-op and WhiteWave. In 2004 Duane co-founded Pixie Mate, a specialty tea business, and from 2007 to 2015 he held several senior management positions for Boulder Brands, ultimately serving as the Executive Vice President of the Balance segment for Boulder Brands, responsible for 3 of the 6 businesses in the portfolio. Concurrent to this, Duane was the Managing Director of the Boulder Brands Investment Group from 2013 to 2015. Duane’s general business management and entrepreneurial experience make him particularly well-suited to assist portfolio companies in their business operations, strategic planning and marketing and sales initiatives. Duane currently sits or has sat on the Board of Directors of Suja Juice, EPIC, Temple Turmeric, Primizie, Live Soda, Bonafide Provisions, Rebbl, Bobo’s Oat Bars, High Brew Coffee and Thorne Nature Experience, a Boulder-based environmental education non-profit.

    • Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO, REBBL
    • Duane Primozich, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, BIGR Ventures

     Watch Video

  • 2:35 PM
    -
    2:55 PM
    Right-Timing Raises and Sales
    • Nick Giannuzzi
      , Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP
      Nick Giannuzzi, Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP -

      Nick Giannuzzi

      Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP

      From Harvard University to New York University School of Law to a chic business residence in the Meatpacking District of NYC, Nicholas Giannuzzi is a partner and founder of The Giannuzzi Group, LLP. Started in 2011, the “Giannuzzi Group” has since become the leading law firm for nearly 500 high-growth consumer brand companies in the natural, better for you food and beverage industry. Among the firm's many clients – both present and historic – are some of the industry’s most successful and fastest growing companies such as Glaceau (creator of VitaminWater and SmartWater), Pirate’s Booty, Pretzel Crisps, Vita Coco, Siggi’s, WTRMLN WTR, Mamma Chia, Sir Kensington’s, Hint, Califia Farms, Krave, HappyBaby, Chameleon Cold Brew, Essentia, Rhythm Superfoods, Peeled, Runa, Oatmega, Sugarfina, Juice Press and many more. In addition to day-to-day legal services, advice and guidance the Giannuzzi Group has assisted its clients in over 500 financing transaction and in nearly 50 exits to strategics and PE funds, including but not limited to sales to Coke, Pepsi, General Mills, Group Danone, Hersheys, Hain Celestial, Amplify, Bacardi, White Wave and many other multi-national companies and some of the largest PE funds. In the last year, the firm has overseen the sale of KRAVE Jerky to The Hershey Company, the partial sale of Suja Juice to The Coca-Cola Company, the acquisition of Wallaby Yogurt by WhiteWave Foods, the sale of YummyEarth to the Riverside Company and the firm is currently working on multiple sales transactions in the 100s of millions of dollars for its other food and beverage clients. The Giannuzzi Group has an un-paralleled understanding of the industry and works tirelessly to serve its clients and to create positive relationships with all of the investors, co-packers, distributors, brokers, acquirers, service providers and difference makers throughout the industry so that we can shares these relationships with our clients.

    • Nick Giannuzzi, Managing Partner, The Giannuzzi Group, LLP

     Watch Video

  • 2:55 PM
    -
    3:00 PM
    Presentation of New Beverage Showdown Winner

     Watch Video

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW: A DEEP DIVE INTO A HOT EMERGING CATEGORY

The massive interest in -- and approaches to -- the incorporation of Marijuana, Hemp, THC and CBD as functional ingredients in food and beverage brands is shared by new companies and existing brands alike. Nevertheless, there is still much to understand. Food and beverage professionals are invited to navigate an ambiguous cannabis market and explore how it could impact their businesses at the new half-day forum.

Hosted on Saturday, December 1st, the weekend between NOSH Live and BevNET Live, professionals will receive a complimentary ticket to the Forum if registered for both conferences.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANNABIS FORUM

NEW BEVERAGE SHOWDOWN 16: YOUR BEVERAGE IN THE HOT SEAT

Catapult you and your company into the spotlight. New Beverage Showdown participants are the celebrities of BevNET Live. Be the center of attention among hundreds of industry executives and gatekeepers, receive instant feedback from an expert panel of judges, and compete for a prize valued at $10,000.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOWDOWN

BEVERAGE SCHOOL: LEARN THE ROPES OF THE INDUSTRY

Beverage School is a special half-day “Beverages 101″ session for early-stage entrepreneurs and industry newcomers. It is held the day prior to the full conference and is free for all BevNET Live Winter 2018 attendees. Young beverage brands get up to speed, identify keys for growth and initiate critical conversations.


LEARN MORE ABOUT BEVERAGE SCHOOL

THESE COMPANIES SENT DECISION MAKERS TO BEVNET LIVE

Coca-ColaVMGStarbucksPepsiCoCalifia Farms



TSG Consumer Partners

SEE THE LIST OF REGISTERED ATTENDEES

RECENT EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

BevNET Live Winter 2018 is Sold Out; Waitlist Now Available

BevNET Live Winter 2018 has officially hit capacity and is sold out. Over 775 beverage industry founders and executives registered to attend the leading conference for the U.S. beverage industry next week in Santa Monica, Calf., which makes it the largest BevNET Live conference to-date.

BevNET Live Livestream: Watch Main Stage Presentations & Additional Interviews

Next week’s BevNET Live Winter 2018 is tracking to be the largest conference to-date and will likely sell out. But even if you don’t have a seat at the conference, we don’t want you to miss out on the important conversations happening on the main stage and in the Livestream Studio. We will make a free livestream available on December 3rd and 4th, thanks to the support of ADM and Origin House.

New Beverage Showdown 16: Meet the Players

BevNET Live Winter 2018 is only five days away and we’re excited to pull back the curtain on the semi-finalists and judges that will take the conference stage next week in Santa Monica, Calif. New Beverage Showdown, sponsored by Venturing & Emerging Brands (VEB), an operating unit of the Coca-Cola Co., is the beverage industry’s leading pitch competition, selecting the most innovative and scalable startup beverage brands from a group of promising contenders.

The BevNET Live Afterparty: Take Your Conversations To New Heights

In just one week BevNET Live, the leading conference for the beverage industry, will take place in Santa Monica, Calif. On Monday, Dec. 3, after the first day’s content and expo ends, guests will get to enjoy the exclusive BevNET Live Winter 2018 Afterparty.

Beverage School: Education for Startup Beverage Brands at BevNET Live on Dec. 2

Beverage School is a half-day session on December 2nd -- the day prior to the BevNET Live Winter 2018 main conference -- designed to provide early-stage beverage entrepreneurs and industry newcomers a look at the basics of operating and growing a beverage company.

BevNET Live Breakouts: Foodservice and Amazon Sales; Regulation; CBD; Can Your Brand Be Food?

We love to give you tough choices, as this wide-ranging list of Breakout Sessions for the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 3, the first day of the BevNET Live conference, should demonstrate. Not tied to the mainstage agenda, attendees can choose what topic they want to dive into -- twice.

BevNET Live: Steps to Strategic Investment, with Dean Foods, Good Karma, and 2x Consumer Products GP

The BevNET Live audience will get a special look at the ways emerging brands and large companies can help develop next-level products and platforms together under the right partnership structure when executives from Good Karma Foods, Dean Foods and 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners take the stage.

BevNET Live Winter Agenda Released: Find FIJI, Peer Beyond Beer, Explore Equality

The BevNET Live Winter 2018 agenda, packed with over 30 distinguished beverage industry leaders, has been released. The two-day conference returns to Santa Monica, CA on December 3 and 4 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

Walmart, Spindrift to Speak at BevNET Live in Just 30 Days

We are excited to announce that the world’s largest retailer -- and also one of the world’s fastest-growing sparkling water brands -- will be taking the BevNET Live stage in just 30 days. Hundreds of beverage entrepreneurs and professionals are expected to gather in Santa Monica, CA for BevNET Live Winter 2018 on December 3rd and 4th.

Canteen and Forto Join BevNET Live Winter 2018 Lineup

BevNET Live Winter 2018 will feature speakers who can talk about where you’re headed and the kinds of adjustments it takes to get there. Joining the main stage lineup will be Jessi Moffitt, the director of innovation at national vending company Canteen, and Neel Premkumar, the founder and CEO of fast-growing coffee brand Forto.

Category Trailblazers Kick Off BevNET Live Winter 2018 Speaker Lineup

Here’s a preview of what’s to come: category trailblazers and channel pioneers. The first round of speakers has been released for BevNET Live Winter 2018 in Santa Monica, CA this December.

BevNET Live: Where the Beverage Community Meets

BevNET Live is the leading U.S. beverage industry conference. Top brands, investors, retailers, and experts are there to meet face-to-face, try new products and, together, map the road ahead. The industry will meet next at BevNET Live Winter 2018 in Santa Monica, Calif. this December 3 and 4.

New Beverage Showdown 16: Present Your Brand to the Industry this December

A new class of rising star beverage brands will take the BevNET Live stage to compete in the 16th edition of the New Beverage Showdown. The business pitch competition, respected for its record of identifying highly innovative next-generation beverage brands, will take place on December 3rd and 4th at BevNET Live Winter 2018 in Santa Monica, CA.

REGISTER TO ATTEND AN UPCOMING EVENT

BevNET Live brings the beverage community together twice a year for two days of business discussions and collaboration. Join your peers in New York, NY and Santa Monica, CA.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS