Daniel Best - President



- M.B.A. University of St. Thomas (Corporate Finance)
- M.S. Colorado State University (Nutrition & Food Science)
- B.A. w/ Honors - University of Wisconsin-Madison (Biochemistry & Psychology)

Identifying and building new opportunities at the business–technology
interface of food and nutrition.

Twenty-five-plus years committed to research food science, nutrition, product
development, ingredient marketing, editorial, and new business development in the
food and nutritional products industries. Credentials include:

•  Founder of BEST VANTAGE Inc. (1995)
•  Co-founder of Pasteurized Eggs Corporation (now, National Pasteurized Eggs).
•  Eight-years as Technical Director/Editor of Prepared Foods magazine
   and two years as Executive Editor of the AACC International's Cereal Foods World.

Work history
Rustco Products, General Mills, Gorman Publishing Company, Dairy Research Foundation,
Pasteurized Eggs Corporation.

JoAnne K. Colbert - Senior Consultant

- M.B.A. Northwestern University (Marketing & Intl Business)
- B.S. w/ Honors - University of Illinois (Mass Communications; minors -
  Psychology and Asian Studies)

Experience forged in fast-paced industries and results-oriented marketing programs.

Over 25 years’ marketing management, promotional and consulting experience
in both domestic and international markets: Japan and Latin America
(predominantly – Mexico & Central America)

•  Marketing Strategy Development for product & services, corporate image
    development & positioning plus full execution of corporate B2B marketing, advertising
    and promotional programs.
•  Consumer Marketing - product and program management, packaging and advertising
•  Communications Management – ad and brochure copy writing, PR & promotional
    campaigns, newsletter, mass email and, web copy; marketing & sales material development.
•  Market and Consumer Research – test markets, surveys and market analysis

Work history
Sony Creative & Japan Airlines Staff Magazine (Tokyo), Recycled Paper Products (Chicago),
Acting Director of McDonald’s Latin American Happy Meal Promotion Program as outside
administrative and promotion agency; Independent Communications & Marketing Consultant
to consumer product and professional services firms.

Gerald Batsford – Senior Consultant

- M.B.A. Program Coursework, Syracuse University (Operations Management)
- B.A., St. Lawrence University (English) 

Finding added value in the supply network from all the right places 

Thirty years of domestic and international supply chain, operations, and information technology. Executive food industry experience employing best practices cross-pollinated from a diverse
range of other industries that include automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, utilities, and
sporting goods.

•  Inventory reductions AND service improvements through enhanced
    forecasting strategies.
•  Successful supply chain strategic planning and Enterprise Resource
   Planning (ERP) implementation.
•  Transitioning from domestic to international sourcing for major U.S. manufacturers.
•  Development and implementation of decision-making models for comparing
    in-house to outsourced manufacturing scenarios.
•  Optimal integration of personnel, process and information technologies.
•  Supply network optimization.

Sara Lee Corp., Armour Swift-Eckrich Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., AT Kearney (EDS),
The Mpower Group, Brunswick Corp., Chrsyler Corp., Shure Electronics, Wilson Sporting Goods, FibreCraft Materials Corp.

Claudia O’Donnell – Senior Consultant

M.B.A. (Marketing) - Northern Illinois University
M.S. Food & Nutrition - University of Minnesota
B.A. Biology - St. Olaf College (Minnesota)

Industry perspectives and insights forged from hands-on experiences, analyzed and distilled into practical, clearly defined conclusions.

• More-than 35 years of hands-on food industry experience as an R&D and Quality Analysis & Control director for food companies.
• Editor-in-Chief for a leading food industry trade journal, Prepared Foods. 
• Market analyst with leading food, nutritional and nutraceutical research companies.
• Presenter and lecturer on new food and nutritional product trends.
• Market research and analyses on food, nutritional and nutraceutical trends.
• Industry editorial and promotional guidance to food manufacturer and ingredient companies.
• Consultant to dairy and soybean industries.
• Developed custom strategic “white papers” for food ingredient industry suppliers.

Work History
International Multifoods (Minneapolis), Alex Foods (Los Angeles), Orval Kent Foods (Chicago), Prepared Foods magazine (Chicago).