Our Team
We can’t wait to meet you!
We are a personable team of diverse and dedicated, food service professionals who love what we do! We have years of experience in the food service industry and an entrepreneurial mindset that serves up compelling marketing programs. We put our clients first, developing long-term relationships and effective, strategic, marketing programs.
Allison Day
Digital Curator
Allison Day from Good Things, Done Right has worked with the Food Connector team for the last five years as a social media consultant with a focus on helping our clients with their social media and content marketing efforts. She brings strong strategy, likable content, and responsive community management to every project with the goal of igniting conversations that attract target audiences. We work together to develop, implement, and measure all things social, driving a variety of different KPIs and success metrics, utilizing all the well trafficked platforms.
Betsy Earle
Trade Shows
Betsy Earle is one of only twenty Diamond-level Certified Trade Show Marketers (CTSM) through the EXHIBITOR program, an outreach program by Northern Illinois University. She’s been managing trade show programs, with expertise in the foodservice industry, since 2006, and been in the event marketing arena since 2000. She has been teaching with EXHIBITOR Magazine since 2012 and is a columnist for EXHIBITOR Magazine, writing the monthly Exhibiting 101 column since the beginning of 2019.
Betsy works with The Food Connector to manage their clients’ food shows and trade events. Her unique skill to blend proven event processes with innovation for the rapidly changing food industry, makes her invaluable.
Betsy holds her MBA in Marketing & Statistics from the University of Miami and has her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her Bachelor of Art in Spanish from the University of Rhode Island. She also has her Certificate of Entrepreneurship from Babson College and her Certificate in Residential Interior Design from the University of Central Florida.
Betsy works with The Food Connector to manage their clients’ food shows and trade events. Her unique skill to blend proven event processes with innovation for the rapidly changing food industry, makes her invaluable.
Betsy holds her MBA in Marketing & Statistics from the University of Miami and has her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her Bachelor of Art in Spanish from the University of Rhode Island. She also has her Certificate of Entrepreneurship from Babson College and her Certificate in Residential Interior Design from the University of Central Florida.
Brooks Nguyen
Operations and Finance
Brooks Nguyen is a business development expert with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry. She specializes in defining operation goals and creates strategic plans to achieve them. Her passion is maximizing profit and supporting management.
Following her passion for food, Brooks moved to California to study pastry at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, CA. The combination of food and people was irresistible and a career path in the food industry was set. Her work experience includes restaurants, bakeries, distribution sales, manufacturer sales, and consulting start up food companies. Brooks’ passion for sales, sweets, and food manufacturing led her to start Dragonfly Cakes, a mail-order cake company. At Dragonfly Cakes she developed partnerships with national distributors, e-commerce companies, and drop-ship partners. After 12 years she sold the business, and the cakes live on in Washington state.
When not working, Brooks spends her free time with her husband, two teenage children, and two dogs. She loves to travel, read, sit at the beach, and share delicious food with friends.
Following her passion for food, Brooks moved to California to study pastry at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, CA. The combination of food and people was irresistible and a career path in the food industry was set. Her work experience includes restaurants, bakeries, distribution sales, manufacturer sales, and consulting start up food companies. Brooks’ passion for sales, sweets, and food manufacturing led her to start Dragonfly Cakes, a mail-order cake company. At Dragonfly Cakes she developed partnerships with national distributors, e-commerce companies, and drop-ship partners. After 12 years she sold the business, and the cakes live on in Washington state.
When not working, Brooks spends her free time with her husband, two teenage children, and two dogs. She loves to travel, read, sit at the beach, and share delicious food with friends.
Edward Zimmerman
Looking Forward
Edward began his foodservice career in 1974. He spent four years in restaurant operations and management. Edward then worked in the retail deli/bakery business, where he set up and managed in-store operations for a 14-store chain. He had a 13-year career in the wholesale bakery industry and then did consulting work for foodservice distributors and manufacturers for 5 years.
In 1996, Edward helped to begin a foodservice marketing group that became the largest pizzeria distribution network in the United States. Edward has possibly sold, marketed, and tasted more pizza than anyone in the United States over the last 20 years. A dynamic speaker, Edward captures audiences with a mixture of fun, facts and personal challenges for improvement. A well-known and respected sales trainer, he has developed several programs for food sales representatives designed to increase sales and improve customer relationships.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Md., Edward’s career in the food industry spans more than 40 years. He holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Administrative Management and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, reading, playing the bass guitar and volunteering on behalf of organizations that feed the hungry.
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In 1996, Edward helped to begin a foodservice marketing group that became the largest pizzeria distribution network in the United States. Edward has possibly sold, marketed, and tasted more pizza than anyone in the United States over the last 20 years. A dynamic speaker, Edward captures audiences with a mixture of fun, facts and personal challenges for improvement. A well-known and respected sales trainer, he has developed several programs for food sales representatives designed to increase sales and improve customer relationships.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Md., Edward’s career in the food industry spans more than 40 years. He holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Administrative Management and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, reading, playing the bass guitar and volunteering on behalf of organizations that feed the hungry.
Emma Hartvickson
Multimedia Production
Emma joined The Food Connector in November 2021 as a Marketing Associate. She is currently a sophomore at Dominican University of California, working towards her BA in Graphic Design and Business Administration, with a minor in communications. She is also a member of Dominican’s collegiate volleyball team.
Using her previous experience in retail, media management, and college courses, Emma’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include bringing a creative perspective to client websites, socials, and other media, and assisting the team in developing new ways to use and improve the marketing platforms for clients.
Born and raised in Kent Washington, Emma has a passion for film, art, and animation. She plans to attend Cal Arts after graduating from Dominican and live in the Bay Area. When she’s not studying or playing volleyball, Emma enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and drawing.
Using her previous experience in retail, media management, and college courses, Emma’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include bringing a creative perspective to client websites, socials, and other media, and assisting the team in developing new ways to use and improve the marketing platforms for clients.
Born and raised in Kent Washington, Emma has a passion for film, art, and animation. She plans to attend Cal Arts after graduating from Dominican and live in the Bay Area. When she’s not studying or playing volleyball, Emma enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and drawing.
Greg Pannier
Vision Implementation
With 30 years of experience in the food industry, Greg bring several facets of the trade to The Food Connector team including merchandising and supply chain management experience with foodservice distributors and produce companies. On the sales and marketing side, Greg worked at several innovative cheese and dairy producers over the years and was involved with both commodity market items and value-added product development projects.
Before joining The Food Connector, Greg worked with Cookietree Bakeries, a leading cookie and brownie producer. He developed unique solutions for several regional, national, and international clients and focused on customer service with a quick-to-market mentality.
Greg understands that the manufacturer, the distributor, and the customer are all part of one team. He brings new, creative, and collaborative aspects of product development and marketing to his practice each day.
In his free time, Greg plays golf, enjoys dinner parties with good food, wine, and friends, and working on the family cabin with his wife, Tricia. They raised two college graduates, but still have a feisty Puggle named Jake at home who keeps them busy.
Before joining The Food Connector, Greg worked with Cookietree Bakeries, a leading cookie and brownie producer. He developed unique solutions for several regional, national, and international clients and focused on customer service with a quick-to-market mentality.
Greg understands that the manufacturer, the distributor, and the customer are all part of one team. He brings new, creative, and collaborative aspects of product development and marketing to his practice each day.
In his free time, Greg plays golf, enjoys dinner parties with good food, wine, and friends, and working on the family cabin with his wife, Tricia. They raised two college graduates, but still have a feisty Puggle named Jake at home who keeps them busy.
Hannah Feldman
Creative Content
Hannah Feldman joined The Food Connector in February 2020 as a marketing intern. She has worked in a part-time position for the past year and a half, beginning as a Marketing Associate before moving up to her current position, Senior Marketing Associate. Hannah has developed skills in website content management and creation as well as social media management.
Hannah attends Dominican University of California and will graduate in 2022 with a BA in Marketing and Management. In this internship, she has learned how to write strong articles for online promotions, newsletters, and website content. Her other responsibilities at The Food Connector include social media management and content creation, including videos, graphics, and copywriting. Hannah has a passion for leadership, collaboration, and learning new things.
Hannah currently lives in Marin County and has a big passion for horses. She has competed nationally since she was 8 years old, attributing to her hard work, dedication, and responsibilities. Hannah also enjoys trying new foods, reading, and watching sports.
Hannah attends Dominican University of California and will graduate in 2022 with a BA in Marketing and Management. In this internship, she has learned how to write strong articles for online promotions, newsletters, and website content. Her other responsibilities at The Food Connector include social media management and content creation, including videos, graphics, and copywriting. Hannah has a passion for leadership, collaboration, and learning new things.
Hannah currently lives in Marin County and has a big passion for horses. She has competed nationally since she was 8 years old, attributing to her hard work, dedication, and responsibilities. Hannah also enjoys trying new foods, reading, and watching sports.
James Ferraro
Create & Launch
James manages creative, editorial, marketing, and interactive production to help clients compete, grow, and succeed. He has run digital agency, marketing, internet production, and editorial groups at startup, publicly traded, and global companies in Silicon Valley and New York. James has served as an executive, marketing lead, editor and interactive producer for B2B, B2G, and B2C companies They include roles at Agrellus, Prologis, Technical Communities/TestMart, Scient, Icon Media Lab, and his own production company. His communications foundation started with senior editorial roles at Hearst Magazines/Town & Country, Avenue Magazine, and as a staff news reporter for Gannett Newspapers.
James holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and History from Rutgers University. He has served on the Young Donors Board at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Lobby Gallery Associates Board at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. James now lives with his family in coastal San Diego County, California. His interests include competitive tennis and sailing, fly fishing, classic/sports cars, and volunteer work with his church.
James holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and History from Rutgers University. He has served on the Young Donors Board at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Lobby Gallery Associates Board at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. James now lives with his family in coastal San Diego County, California. His interests include competitive tennis and sailing, fly fishing, classic/sports cars, and volunteer work with his church.
Jeffrey Slater
Marketing Sage
From 1975-1989, Jeff and his wife built a successful wholesale bakery, Rachel's Brownies. They sold through convenience stores, specialty stores, grocery, retail, and food service. In 1989, they successfully exited selling to GoodMark Foods, who hired him into a senior leadership role in marketing and their executive team. GoodMark Foods was sold in 2003 to ConAgra Foods, a 29-billion-dollar house of brands.
Jeff remained as their EVP of snack marketing. He managed the marketing for a $400MM snack portfolio, including Slim Jim® and David's® Sunflower Seeds that eventually merged into a $1B new snack division along with Orville Redenbacher and Act II Popcorn.
Jeff was VP of Marketing for Cheerwine, a 100-year-old family-owned, regional soft drink brand selling primarily through Pepsi's distribution network and other food service channels. He was an advisor to Noble, a grower of tangerine juice and other ready-to-drink specialty juice drinks.
Jeff worked in the wine industry and led the global marketing for the private equity portfolio company Nomacorc®, now called Vinventions®. They own several brands, including the leading synthetic wine-closure (cork) company closing billions of wine bottles. Through innovative B2B marketing strategies, in-depth trade research, and conference marketing, he helped raise global brand awareness of new and disruptive brands. In this capacity, he worked with wineries, retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and DTC brands.
He advises B2B startups, portfolio companies, various food, beverage, healthcare, consumer electronics, technology, non-profits, toys, and transportation.
Jeff has extensive experience advising startups to billion-dollar companies in different food industry channels. He recently completed an assignment with The Wall Street Journal's CMO Network.
Jeff graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. and M.A. in Communications from The Annenberg School.
Jeff remained as their EVP of snack marketing. He managed the marketing for a $400MM snack portfolio, including Slim Jim® and David's® Sunflower Seeds that eventually merged into a $1B new snack division along with Orville Redenbacher and Act II Popcorn.
Jeff was VP of Marketing for Cheerwine, a 100-year-old family-owned, regional soft drink brand selling primarily through Pepsi's distribution network and other food service channels. He was an advisor to Noble, a grower of tangerine juice and other ready-to-drink specialty juice drinks.
Jeff worked in the wine industry and led the global marketing for the private equity portfolio company Nomacorc®, now called Vinventions®. They own several brands, including the leading synthetic wine-closure (cork) company closing billions of wine bottles. Through innovative B2B marketing strategies, in-depth trade research, and conference marketing, he helped raise global brand awareness of new and disruptive brands. In this capacity, he worked with wineries, retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and DTC brands.
He advises B2B startups, portfolio companies, various food, beverage, healthcare, consumer electronics, technology, non-profits, toys, and transportation.
Jeff has extensive experience advising startups to billion-dollar companies in different food industry channels. He recently completed an assignment with The Wall Street Journal's CMO Network.
Jeff graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. and M.A. in Communications from The Annenberg School.
Joe DeBilio
Build and Grow
For more than two decades, Joe DeBilio has delivered results for food operations, warehousing, and distribution companies. DeBilio has helped clients nationwide, both large and small, improve profits and EBITDA, reduce operations and finance costs, maximize sales management, undertake mergers and acquisitions, right-size headcount and introduce labor incentives, and recruit management. He brings real world experience to every project, working ten years as president of a food distributor that served multiple states, where under his leadership annual sales tripled to $36M which included rapid growth in street, multi-unit, and chain account revenue.
With his broad experience and deep knowledge, clients have relied on DeBilio to optimize systems and facilities, develop contracts and financial agreements, and create marketing and revenue programs. He has won the National Distributor of the Year Award and held board positions at a national food distribution buying group and federal credit union. DeBilio is the founder and serves on the board of the children’s medical research charity 3for99.
With his broad experience and deep knowledge, clients have relied on DeBilio to optimize systems and facilities, develop contracts and financial agreements, and create marketing and revenue programs. He has won the National Distributor of the Year Award and held board positions at a national food distribution buying group and federal credit union. DeBilio is the founder and serves on the board of the children’s medical research charity 3for99.
Kevin Foley
Sustainability
Kevin’s company, Valley to Summit, works with The Food Connector’s clients as a sustainability consultant. He helps purpose-driven business leaders in the agriculture, food, and beverage industry who want to build a well-rounded sustainability program. Kevin works one on one with clients to customize a plan tailored to the unique needs of their business. This relationship-focused approach helps clients improve their environmental footprint, reduce operating costs, and cultivate deeper relationships with stakeholders. Through baseline analysis, strategic planning, goal setting, and targeted implementation, Kevin can help you build a solid foundation that will serve your business for years to come. For more information, please CONTACT US
Kim Marquardt
Visual Direction
Kim brings more than 30 years of graphic design experience to The Food Connector team. Since 2015, she has been responsible for designing promotions, sell sheets, web sites and trade show booths. Currently she oversees visual branding, ensuring that our clients’ marketing materials effectively communicate the brand and message. She understands that design isn't just about looking good -- it must consistently deliver the message.
She began her career as a production assistant for a statewide association, producing a monthly magazine and promotional materials. She then spent 10 years at a public affairs / public relations agency where she was responsible for website design and development. In 2003 she became a freelance designer, developing print collateral, logos and web sites for a wide range of businesses, associations and public relations agencies.
Kim graduated from California State University Sacramento with a master’s degree in English. She lives on the Northern California coast with her husband and two dogs, and occasionally sneaks away from her computer to enjoy the ocean and the redwoods.
She began her career as a production assistant for a statewide association, producing a monthly magazine and promotional materials. She then spent 10 years at a public affairs / public relations agency where she was responsible for website design and development. In 2003 she became a freelance designer, developing print collateral, logos and web sites for a wide range of businesses, associations and public relations agencies.
Kim graduated from California State University Sacramento with a master’s degree in English. She lives on the Northern California coast with her husband and two dogs, and occasionally sneaks away from her computer to enjoy the ocean and the redwoods.
Kristen Agin
Marketing Innovator
Kristen is a Global Marketing Leader with extensive experience building and strengthening both large, well-known brands, and smaller, entrepreneurial products. She is a spirited public speaker, motivator, team-obsessed leader, and known for her contagious enthusiasm. She uses her highly positive, energetic outlook, and 25 years of brand marketing and advertising experience to help companies achieve their goals.
Some of Kristen’s accomplishments include: Leading the innovation, product positioning, design and marketing strategies for brands such as Dunkin Brands Inc., Baskin Robbins, Mattel, AT&T Wireless, Macy’s, and for smaller, innovative start-ups. She has developed key partnerships with well-known players in the industry (Netflix, DecoPac, Build-a-Bear, Sony Entertainment) to build brand relevance, reach new demographics, extend share of voice, and to increase revenue. She has driven retail and indirect and B2B marketing strategies in highly competitive markets.
Kristen loves to travel and is fluent in conversational German. When not working, she loves hiking, spending days at the ocean, wine tasting, cooking, adventuring with her husband and two boys and lovable Labrador named Bodhi!
Some of Kristen’s accomplishments include: Leading the innovation, product positioning, design and marketing strategies for brands such as Dunkin Brands Inc., Baskin Robbins, Mattel, AT&T Wireless, Macy’s, and for smaller, innovative start-ups. She has developed key partnerships with well-known players in the industry (Netflix, DecoPac, Build-a-Bear, Sony Entertainment) to build brand relevance, reach new demographics, extend share of voice, and to increase revenue. She has driven retail and indirect and B2B marketing strategies in highly competitive markets.
Kristen loves to travel and is fluent in conversational German. When not working, she loves hiking, spending days at the ocean, wine tasting, cooking, adventuring with her husband and two boys and lovable Labrador named Bodhi!
Leonard Sbrocco
Marketing Creativity
Leonard has over 25 years of experience working for multiple media outlets in the San Francisco Bay Area, including as a Publisher, Ad Director, and Online Manager at various newspapers.
Since 2008, he has provided marketing expertise to more than 25 companies as a partner at Big Cat Advertising, where he specializes in online and email promotions. Previously, he was the Director of Business Development at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was responsible for creating and managing new products, generating $20 million in ad sales in three years. He has had significant success marketing restaurants through innovative campaigns, such as specialty magazines and websites. Most recently, Sbrocco has focused on building sales through referral-based email marketing services and social media.
Sbrocco also co-founded a golf and travel website and was editor of a leading market research website. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served six years as a U.S. Army officer.
Since 2008, he has provided marketing expertise to more than 25 companies as a partner at Big Cat Advertising, where he specializes in online and email promotions. Previously, he was the Director of Business Development at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was responsible for creating and managing new products, generating $20 million in ad sales in three years. He has had significant success marketing restaurants through innovative campaigns, such as specialty magazines and websites. Most recently, Sbrocco has focused on building sales through referral-based email marketing services and social media.
Sbrocco also co-founded a golf and travel website and was editor of a leading market research website. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served six years as a U.S. Army officer.
Lexi Prokopius
Content Creation
My name is Lexi Prokopius, and I'm a student at Baldwin Wallace University from Cleveland, Ohio. I'm looking forward to graduating in August of 2023 with a major in graphic design and a minor in business. Besides school and the Food Connector, I am starting a new high school men's volleyball program at my old high school. Additionally, I coach a girls traveling volleyball team at the club where I used to play volleyball. I am most passionate about graphic design and coaching. I enjoy playing volleyball, drawing, being with family and friends, and cuddling with my dog when I'm not coaching, studying, or working.
As a new member at The Food Connector I hope to contribute a creative viewpoint to our clients websites and social media, and collaborate with the team to create the best outcomes or designs for our clients marketing platforms.
As a new member at The Food Connector I hope to contribute a creative viewpoint to our clients websites and social media, and collaborate with the team to create the best outcomes or designs for our clients marketing platforms.
Lloyd Oshiro
Authentic Partnerships
Lloyd has over 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry and brings a deep understanding of how manufacturers and distributors can stand out and grow sales. Lloyd ran a family-owned bakery supply distributor for 15 years and has had a successful career in sales and sales management with a national foodservice distributor and several manufacturers supplying the pizza industry. Lloyd is a dynamic speaker and effective sales trainer who excels at showing how to sell on value, not price.
Lloyd is passionate about the food industry and the creativity of chefs and bakers. His career has allowed him to create lifelong friendships with artisans that are constantly innovating and delighting their customers.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii Lloyd is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz (Go Banana Slugs!) and enjoys playing Pickleball, mountain biking and road cycling, and horseback riding.
Lloyd is passionate about the food industry and the creativity of chefs and bakers. His career has allowed him to create lifelong friendships with artisans that are constantly innovating and delighting their customers.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii Lloyd is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz (Go Banana Slugs!) and enjoys playing Pickleball, mountain biking and road cycling, and horseback riding.
Matt Fry
Project Alignment
Matt joined the The Food Connector in an internship position in January 2019. A student-athlete at nearby Dominican University of California, Matt worked for a year and half in a part-time position, developing his skills in website management, digital marketing strategies, and content creation.
Matt graduated in 2020 with a BA in Marketing and Sales and has transitioned into a more featured position within The Food Connector.
Matt has leveraged his recent college coursework and internship experience to form strong copywriting techniques for email marketing campaigns, digital newsletters, and website content with a focus on lead generation. His other responsibilities at The Food Connector include content creation, social media management, and database management.
Matt has spent over 15 years honing his golf skills, earning a spot on the Dominican Men’s Team in 2018, and he continues to compete at Dominican as he completes his MBA. Matt lives in Laguna Niguel and enjoys college football, wine tasting, and running.
Matt graduated in 2020 with a BA in Marketing and Sales and has transitioned into a more featured position within The Food Connector.
Matt has leveraged his recent college coursework and internship experience to form strong copywriting techniques for email marketing campaigns, digital newsletters, and website content with a focus on lead generation. His other responsibilities at The Food Connector include content creation, social media management, and database management.
Matt has spent over 15 years honing his golf skills, earning a spot on the Dominican Men’s Team in 2018, and he continues to compete at Dominican as he completes his MBA. Matt lives in Laguna Niguel and enjoys college football, wine tasting, and running.
Nancy Tejeda
Engagement
Nancy Tejeda recently joined The Food Connector as an intern in June 2021. A junior at Dominican University of California, Nancy is currently working towards her BA in Marketing and Global Business and plans to graduate in 2023.
Using her previous internship experience and college courses, Nancy’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include updating client websites with weekly content to drive SEO optimization, managing multiple social media accounts, and assisting her team in the development of email marketing campaigns.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Nancy has a passion to travel and hopes to move to New York or Seattle in the future. When not studying, she loves to read, watch films, and spend time with family and friends.
Using her previous internship experience and college courses, Nancy’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include updating client websites with weekly content to drive SEO optimization, managing multiple social media accounts, and assisting her team in the development of email marketing campaigns.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Nancy has a passion to travel and hopes to move to New York or Seattle in the future. When not studying, she loves to read, watch films, and spend time with family and friends.
Noah Alper
Wisdom
Noah is a consultant specializing in entrepreneurial strategy, and executive coaching. He is the author of Business Mensch–Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Entrepreneur. His experience includes concept creation, branding,marketing, retailing, and sales management.
A serial entrepreneur, Noah Alper is the founder of six ventures, including two mega-successful food businesses—the West Coast Noah’s New York Bagels chain and Bread & Circus, once the Northeast’s largest natural foods chain and now part of Whole Foods Market. Six and a half years after founding Noah’s New York Bagels, he sold the business for $100 million. At that time, it was the largest kosher retailer in the United States.
Noah has been a guest speaker at Google, the E2 Detroit Entrepreneur’s Conference, the “EO” Entrepreneur Organization, the League of Women Voters and many national and local business and community groups. He has been a guest lecturer at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin School of Business,UC Davis School of Management, Babson College, and a student advisor at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in Economics, and grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. He currently lives in Berkeley, California.
A serial entrepreneur, Noah Alper is the founder of six ventures, including two mega-successful food businesses—the West Coast Noah’s New York Bagels chain and Bread & Circus, once the Northeast’s largest natural foods chain and now part of Whole Foods Market. Six and a half years after founding Noah’s New York Bagels, he sold the business for $100 million. At that time, it was the largest kosher retailer in the United States.
Noah has been a guest speaker at Google, the E2 Detroit Entrepreneur’s Conference, the “EO” Entrepreneur Organization, the League of Women Voters and many national and local business and community groups. He has been a guest lecturer at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin School of Business,UC Davis School of Management, Babson College, and a student advisor at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in Economics, and grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. He currently lives in Berkeley, California.
Ron Richardson
Website Development
A UC Berkeley engineering grad working over 20 years in Silicon Valley. Ron has had many rolls starting as a printed circuit board test engineering manager and working up to manufacturing program management for many companies, including Sun Microsystems. He has moved on from Silicon Valley and for the past ten years has rekindled his passion for software design and development. Ron now brings his software and managerial skills to website design and development to the food industry.
Now with years of website development, Ron now specializes in WordPress theme development, hosting setup and security, site analytics, and SEO, and all facets and tools to bring a customer’s website vision to life.
Ron loves to discuss website development, to mentor, and to teach WordPress, and when time and weather allows, is an avid golfer.
Now with years of website development, Ron now specializes in WordPress theme development, hosting setup and security, site analytics, and SEO, and all facets and tools to bring a customer’s website vision to life.
Ron loves to discuss website development, to mentor, and to teach WordPress, and when time and weather allows, is an avid golfer.
Ryan Milani
Data Junkie
Ryan's professional career for the past twelve years has revolved around digital marketing, website development, and digital advertising. He has served clients from diverse industry verticals, in nearly all facets of online marketing; with a focus in B2B. His expertise covers SEO (search engine optimization), analytics (measurement & analysis), UX (user experience) conversion tracking (analytics to measure success rates), and website development.
Stefan Mueller
Production Support
Stefan Mueller recently joined The Food Connector in September 2022 as a Marketing Associate. He is currently a senior at Dominican University of California, working towards a BA in Business Administration, with a minor in computer science. He is also part of Dominican’s cross country and track team.
Some of Stefan’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include supporting the production team with editing and content creation, assisting website design and content updates, and engaging in database management.
Stefan is originally from Seattle, WA but moved to the Bay Area to attend Dominican University. After graduation, Stefan plans on staying at Dominican to work towards his MSBA. Stefan likes to watch TV and movies, listen to music, read, and hang out with friends and family in his spare time.
Some of Stefan’s responsibilities at The Food Connector include supporting the production team with editing and content creation, assisting website design and content updates, and engaging in database management.
Stefan is originally from Seattle, WA but moved to the Bay Area to attend Dominican University. After graduation, Stefan plans on staying at Dominican to work towards his MSBA. Stefan likes to watch TV and movies, listen to music, read, and hang out with friends and family in his spare time.