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| Speakers |
 Todd
Abraham is vice president of global research with Kraft Foods, and is
responsible for strategic innovative research programs as well as research
support to business divisions. Abraham has responsibility for the research
groups at the Glenview, East Hanover, Tarrytown, Madison and Munich sites.
He came to Kraft from his role as senior vice president, product
development, Nabisco Foods Company, and held previous leadership positions
in marketing and R&D at Pillsbury and Procter & Gamble, with both
North American and international experience. Abraham completed his
Sc.B. in chemistry at Brown University in Providence, RI; received his
doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981; and an
M.B.A. from The Wharton School in May 1981. |
| Steve Allen, vice president, new ventures for Nestlé, has been in the food industry for over 20 years, where he has had functional responsibility for marketing, sales and general management. Allen gained experience working in Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Switzerland. Prior to moving to the U.S., Allen was head of the nutrition division of Nestlé in Canada. Current responsibilities are with the venture capital activities of Nestlé and the investments that Nestlé has made in start-up companies in the U.S. and Canada. Allen was born in England and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Leeds and a master’s degree from the University of London. |
 Elliott
Balbert, founder and executive chairman of Natrol, Inc., founded the
company in 1980, and served as its president, CEO and chairman of the
board until February 2006, when he became executive chairman. Balbert has
been actively involved within the dietary supplements industry for more
than 25 years. He served as president of the Dietary Supplement Education
Alliance (DSEA), and is a member of the Bastyr University board of
regents, the Natural Products Association, and the American Herbal
Products Association. Balbert also supports numerous non-profit
organizations within the dietary supplements industry. |
 Jon
Benninger is the director of business development at Virgo Publishing,
with responsibility for industry outreach and new business development for
Virgo. Benninger entered the natural products industry in 1990 and joined
Virgo in 1995 as the founding editor of HSR. He is an active member
of many associations, including the Natural Products Association (NPA),
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and Council for Responsible
Nutrition (CRN). Benninger also serves as president of the Dietary
Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA). |
 Judy
Blatman, vice president, communications, for the Council for
Responsible Nutrition (CRN), has over 20 years experience in the
communications field, including expertise in issues management, lifestyle
consumer marketing, crisis communications and development and execution of
results-oriented publicity campaigns. Blatman has worked in the
consumer/health group of a large international public relations agency,
led public relations efforts for a luxury resort company, and managed
communications efforts for an alcohol industry trade association. At CRN,
Blatman is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the
association’s overall strategic communications efforts. |
 Jeffrey
Blumberg, Ph.D., FACN, CNS, is a senior scientist and director of the
Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition
Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Dr. Blumberg’s research
efforts are focused on the biochemical basis for the role of antioxidant
nutrients and their dietary requirements in health promotion and disease
prevention during the aging process via their modulation of oxidative
stress status. Dr. Blumberg is a professor in the Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. He also participates in
activities relevant to the incorporation of sound nutrition science into
public health policy and has served on committees of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO), Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, U.S. Surgeon General’s
Office, and U.S. Olympic Committee. Dr. Blumberg has published over 180
articles and currently serves on the editorial board of several nutrition
science journals. |
 Laurie
Demeritt is president and COO of The Hartman Group, a leading
consulting and market research firm. The Hartman Group specializes in the
analysis and interpretation of consumer lifestyles and how these
lifestyles affect the purchase and use of health and wellness products and
services. Their client base includes a number of Fortune 500 consumer
packaged goods companies, pharmaceutical firms, and mass and natural food
retailers. As president, Demeritt is responsible for the quantitative and
qualitative market research and client services departments, and is the
team lead on all consulting projects, including brand development
strategies, retail services, and new product market analysis. Her
background includes a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and an
M.B.A. from the University of Washington. |
 Rabbi
Moshe Elefant is the COO of the Orthodox Union’s Kashruth Department
– the world’s largest not-for-profit kosher certification agency.
Charged with managing the day-to-day operations of the Orthodox Union,
Rabbi Elefant has a uniquely broad understanding of the global kosher
certification industry and the practical applications of kosher in the
manufacturing and consumer marketplace. The trademark 
symbol appears on over 400,000 industrial and consumer products, made in
more than 6,000 facilities in 83 countries around the world. It is
regarded as a mark of trust not only by observant Jews but by Moslems,
Seventh Day Adventists, vegetarians and the lactose intolerant, as well as
a broad array of health and quality conscious consumers. Rabbi Elefant is
the author of numerous articles and two books on Jewish law, as well as a
sought-after lecturer on Jewish legal topics and the kosher industry.
Rabbi Elefant received his rabbinic ordination at Mirrer Yeshiva in
Brooklyn, New York and his bachelor’s degree at Touro College in New
York. |
 Steve
French, managing partner at The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), has
more than 25 years of strategic marketing, business development, market
research and management experience. Complementing bachelors and master’s
degrees in marketing, French has accumulated extensive insight and
knowledge into health, wellness, environmentalism, and social
responsibility across a multitude of products, services and industries. He
has unparalleled experience across a wide range of corporate business
functions and has pioneered a range of consumer research databases. He is
a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences, a regular
contributor to media sources, and the author of numerous published
articles and research reports. |
 Loren
D. Israelsen is executive director of the United Natural Products
Alliance (UNPA), a trade association of dietary supplement companies
committed to safety, science and quality. Israelsen has been deeply
involved in the commercial and regulatory issues facing the global dietary
supplement industry since 1982. He has served as vice president/general
counsel to the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), co-founder and
counsel to the European American Phytomedicine Coalition (EAPC), industry
liaison to FDA’s Expert Advisory Committee on Ephedra, issue manager for
dietary supplements for the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), a
founding member and executive board member of the International Alliance
of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA), industry advisor to the Office
of Dietary Supplements (ODS), and an expert panel member to IFT’s
Functional Food Report published in 2005. He has authored over 150
articles, book chapters and has lectured in over 30 countries on dietary
supplement and functional food issues. Israelsen received his bachelor’s
degree in political science from Utah State University and received his
J.D. from J. Rueben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University. |
 David A. Jenkins, president and CEO of Next Proteins, is a 3-time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist, and has always been fascinated with all aspects of performance enhancement for sports. Utilizing his Sc.B. in engineering from Edinburgh University in Scotland, Jenkins founded Next Proteins in1988. Since 1993, Jenkins has been at the forefront of sports nutrition marketing with emphasis on innovating life changing whey protein products. In September 2006, Jenkins sold his Detour whey protein bar business and his factory. He will preview new patented “Good for You” protein soda technology, and how it utilizes whey protein’s amazing science to help Americans lead healthier lives. |
 Barbara
Katz, president of HealthFocus® International, has more than 20 years
of experience in the consumer packaged goods, food ingredients and
consulting industries. Katz’s marketing expertise includes functional
dairy products, children’s health and nutrition, new product development
and global consumer insights. She has been responsible for setting global
new product strategy, directing portfolio development and overseeing
global consumer insights for a multinational packaged goods company
focused on health and nutrition. Katz has also held a category director’s
role with responsibility to direct concept development, global brand
positioning, communication strategies, pricing strategies, channel
strategies and both health professional and consumer market research for a
nutritional products portfolio. She has worked on products in the United
States, the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines,
Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Mexico. |
 Mark
A. LeDoux is founder, CEO and chairman of Natural Alternatives
International, Inc., a firm engaged in the research, design and
development of nutritional supplement programs and products for large,
multinational clients. NAI currently produces products sold under major
brand and corporate names in the United States, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong,
Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, South America, Europe and many countries
in Africa and the Middle East. LeDoux is a member of the board of
directors of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and chairs its
International Trade and Market Development Committee. He is also a
recognized participant of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. He is
president of the Marie A. LeDoux Charitable Foundation, and a member of
the Young Presidents Organization and World Presidents Organization. A
graduate of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, LeDoux received his
bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. LeDoux is also a
graduate of Stanford University’s Program for Small Business Executives. |
 Virginia
Lee is a senior research analyst at Euromonitor International, which
she joined in 2000. In her role, Lee helps Euromonitor's clients make
informed strategic decisions by providing insights into consumer trends,
new product developments and retail channel developments. She
has shared her knowledge of packaged foods, health and wellness, and
cosmetics and toiletries at numerous conferences. Lee has been quoted in
numerous publications, including Business Week, Time, the Wall
Street Journal, The New York Times, the Financial
Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Drug Store News. A
native of South Korea, Lee has also lived in Montreal and Boston, obtained
a bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College, and now calls
Chicago home. |
 Michael
Lelah, Ph.D., is technical director at NOW Foods in
Bloomingdale, Ill. Dr. Lelah has a doctorate in chemical engineering
together with an M.B.A. He has been involved in research, quality,
operations, business development and management in the health care,
plastics, food, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. At NOW Foods, Dr.
Lelah is responsible for quality assurance, quality control, regulatory,
R&D, science and nutrition, and NOW’s advocacy efforts. Although Dr.
Lelah has only been at NOW Foods for three years, he is committed to the
natural products industry and has been involved in promoting natural
products for many years. He is also a strong quality advocate and believes
that quality is the basis for industry and business leadership. |
| Edward Long, Ph.D., senior vice president, Capitol Associates
Inc., currently represents the Natural Products Association and the
Coalition to Preserve DSHEA. Before joining Capitol Associates, Inc., Dr.
Long served as the legislative director and health appropriations staff
director for Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). |
 Michael
E. Mangelson, Esq., is a partner at Stoel Rives LLP, a full-service,
western U.S. region law firm. He is chair of the firm’s nutritional
supplement team and the Salt Lake City office Technology &
Intellectual Property group. Mangelson routinely consults on long-term IP
strategies that help secure and protect market positioning and competitive
advantages. He has been recognized by Utah Business magazine’s
“Utah Legal Elite” (2005-2007), and The Best Lawyers in
America® (2007). He is also an adjunct professor of law at the J.
Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University where he teaches
intellectual property law and technology licensing classes. Mangelson
currently serves as chair-elect of the intellectual property section of
the Utah Bar Association and is a member of the California and American
Bar Associations, International Trademark Association, and Licensing
Executives Society. He received a law degree from Brigham Young University
in 1991 and a bachelor’s degree in 1988. |
 Jack
Martin, partner at Walker, Martin & Hatch LLC, has been a
political consultant for 13 years, and specializes in food and drug
policy. Prior to working at Walker, Martin & Hatch, Martin was vice
president with Parry, Romani, DeConcini & Symms. In this capacity, he
represented a variety of companies and associations to both the
legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Prior
to joining the private sector, Martin was associate commissioner for
public affairs and senior policy advisor to the commissioner of the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). Martin also spent time as the Utah press
liaison for Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. Martin is a graduate of Brigham
Young University. |
 Kirk
Neal is the vice president of operations at Arizona Nutritional
Supplements (ANS). Prior to joining the management team at ANS, Neal spent
five years as the vice president and general manager of Health Factors
International, a subsidiary of Twinlab Inc. In the more than 10 years Neal
has spent in the nutritional supplement manufacturing industry, he has
focused on quality, efficacy and safety of nutritional supplements, and is
acutely aware of the responsibility companies have in the area of quality.
Neal also understands the ongoing and growing importance of maintaining
exceptional quality standards as the industry grows and changes. He
regularly attends industry conferences, seminars, and trade shows, and
maintains relationships with several industry organizations. Neal has a
bachelor’s degree in economics and an M.B.A. from Arizona State
University. |
 Glen
Putnam, executive director of quality systems, USANA Health Sciences
Inc., began his career as a teenager working as a research technician on
rotary peristaltic intravenous infusion devices. This early exposure
provided a focus of more than 25 years in the field of research, quality
and regulatory in five major industries. Putnam has worked as an employee
and consultant to medical device, pharmaceutical, nutritional supplement,
cosmetic, and food companies. His academic work includes undergraduate
studies in science and business, with a master’s degree in business
administration. Putnam has served on numerous quality committees and
boards, such as the Intermountain Biomedical Association and the Industry
Advisory Council to the United States Pharmacopeia's Quality Demonstration
Program. |
 Howard
B. Schiffer is well known throughout the natural foods marketplace for
developing quality new products and turning them into best sellers through
innovative marketing and promotions. In 1994, Schiffer founded the Vitamin
Angel Alliance and turned his energies to providing basic nutrition to
people in need. Often called the “humanitarian arm” of the natural
products industry, Vitamin Angels has distributed more than 150 million
vitamins and other supplements (wholesale value over $14 million) to
people in need in 82 countries around the world. In 2005, Schiffer was
awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Newport Summit by Nutrition
Business Journal for “creating Vitamin Angel Alliance as a force to
bring better health and nutrition to millions of children and adults in
need around the world”. He was also honored with Golden Temple and Peace
Cereal’s Socially Responsible Business Award for "upholding the
highest in human ideals and business practices." |
 David Thibodeau is the managing director in Canaccord Adams
Investment Banking Group, and head of the firm’s Consumer Health,
Wellness & Lifestyle business, which specifically focuses on mergers
and acquisitions as well as public and private financings in North America
and Europe. Thibodeau’s operating experience and finance background
offers clients a unique combination of industry and corporate finance
skills. Prior to joining Canaccord Adams, Thibodeau worked for Wellfleet
Capital Partners, providing companies with mergers and acquisitions and
private placement advisory services. Thibodeau has more than 20 years of
corporate development, finance and operating experience with particular
expertise in the food and beverage industry. |
 Cynthia
Thomson, Ph.D., R.D., the director of nutrition research at the
University of Arizona, is a registered dietitian and doctoral trained
nutritional scientist with over 10 years of research experience in the
area of diet and cancer prevention. Dr. Thomson holds interest in research
related to the accurate assessment of dietary intake and is the director
of the Behavioral Measurements Shared Service at the University of
Arizona. She has recently been appointed vice chair of research for the
American Dietetic Association, and is the principal investigator on two
green tea studies designed to determine if green tea intake results in a
significant increase in resting energy expenditure and thus contributes to
weight control among overweight post-menopausal women and breast cancer
survivors. |
 James
S. Tonkin, principal, TonkinConsulting, is a private sector brand
management and development professional. Over his 30-year career, Tonkin
has created and implemented successful business, financial and marketing
strategies for domestic and international corporations, with hands-on
experience in food and beverage production, manufacturing, sales,
marketing and distribution. Tonkin started his beverage career as vice
president and general manager of a large West coast 7-UP bottler, where he
produced, marketed and distributed carbonated soft drinks. Tonkin was vice
president of marketing and sales of Napa Naturals, one of the first “new
age” beverages in the United States. He started a private consultancy in
1986, and recently served as president and CEO of two functional beverage
companies – Bio Essential and Essentia Water, Inc. – and created Hound
Hydrators Pet Water for PETsMART. |
 Peter
van Stolk, president and CEO of Jones Soda, is a marketing maverick
with a unique, interactive approach to grounding his products, an intense
connection to his consumers and an uncanny ability to predict trends. Van
Stolk entered the highly competitive beverage industry, learned the rules
and then promptly rejected them. He has attracted attention by setting his
products apart from the rest and developing an emotional bond with his
customers. This bond has attracted the attention of The New York
Times, CNN, People Magazine and INC. magazines
amongst many others. |
 John
Venardos, vice president, worldwide regulatory and government affairs,
Herbalife, leads a team of seasoned professionals who proactively
represent the company with regulators and elected officials in 63
countries where the company’s independent distributors conduct business.
Venardos is a member of the executive committee and board of the
Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and is a founding board member of
the Coalition to Preserve DSHEA. He represents Herbalife on the boards of
the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA), as well as the Natural
Products Association, and is active with the World Federation of Direct
Selling Associations (WFDSA), the U.S. Direct Selling Association (USDSA),
the International Alliance of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA), and
the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). Venardos joined Herbalife in
1997. Prior to Herbalife, he spent nearly ten years working with Pfizer in
New York, where he handled global government and regulatory affairs for
food ingredients and pharmaceuticals. |
 Anthony
L. Young, Esq., is a partner at Kleinfeld, Kaplan and Becker,
LLP. He has counseled and represented domestic and foreign manufacturers
with respect to compliance and defense of matters under the statutes
enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) for over 30 years. Young has a diversified litigation and
legislative practice from a regulatory, litigation and product liability
perspective. Young has counseled companies with respect to all forms or
regulatory filings with the FDA, including GRAS notifications, new dietary
ingredient notifications, and 510(k) notifications for medical devices. He
serves as general counsel to the American Herbal Products Association.
Young helped form, and serves as general counsel to, the National
Association of Free Clinics, the non-profit association of free clinics.
Young graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1973 and clerked
on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. |
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