Speakers

Chief Executive Officer, De Soi
Scout Brisson is the CEO of De Soi, a line of non-alcoholic sparkling apéritifs co-founded by pop star Katy Perry and master distiller Morgan McLachlan. Before De Soi, Scout co-founded the successful better-for-you CPG brand, DEUX. With a Neuroscience degree from MIT and experience at McKinsey and M13, Scout has driven De Soi’s rapid growth, expanding its retail presence to over 5,000 locations including Target, Publix and Sprouts. De Soi is set to double its retail footprint and revenue in 2024, with four distinct, highly successful product flavors redefining mindful drinking.

Managing Director, Chief of Staff, Tilia Holdings
Rob Celin is a Managing Director and Chief of Staff at Tilia Holdings and has 13 years of principal investing and operating experience. Rob is a member of the investment team and has been involved in the firm’s investments in Certified Group, Ever Fresh, FlexXray, NutriScience Innovations and Universal Pure. As Chief of Staff, Rob leads the development and implementation of Tilia’s sustainable value creation model.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance, summa cum laude, from Boston College with a focus on Environmental Studies and an MBA and MS in Design Innovation from the Kellogg School of Management and Segal Design Institute at Northwestern University.

Partner, RX3 Growth Partners
Andrew is a Partner at RX3, responsible for managing all aspects of the fund’s investment process, including sourcing, diligence, investment committee and portfolio management. Prior to RX3, Andrew was the Chief Investment Officer at Roth Capital where he oversaw Roth’s holding company investment activity. Prior to joining Roth Capital, Andrew was a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division at Morgan Stanley where he led numerous landmark M&A and equity transactions in the retail, marketplace and eCommerce sectors. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Andrew was an Investment Banker at J.P. Morgan, and prior to that, served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Andrew is a Board member of Therabody and Kroma Wellness.
Mr. Costa graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a B.S. in Systems Engineering Management and earned an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business.

CEO & Co-Founder, BeeHero
Omer Davidi, a distinguished technologist and entrepreneur, seamlessly integrates computing with sustainable agriculture. As the driving force behind BeeHero, Omer leads a mission to enhance global food security through data-driven technology that improves pollination, benefiting bees and other crucial pollinators. He envisions an agricultural framework harmonizing advanced technology with nature's essential pollinators, ensuring a sustainable and resilient food supply chain for future generations.
Through BeeHero, Omer pioneers transparency, collaboration, and sustainability in agri-tech, empowering growers and beekeepers with real-time, data-driven insights for informed decision-making that supports both bee welfare and food sustainability. His commitment to sustainable agriculture stems from a deep love for nature and a dedication to future generations, evident in his diverse interests including championship horse showjumping in Israel and a passion for surfing.

Managing Partner, Frontenac
Walter joined Frontenac in 1994. Today, he focuses on sourcing new investment opportunities and working with portfolio companies. Throughout his career, Walter has led investments in a variety of industries, including consumer products and services where he is currently focused. Walter is a director at Better Than Home, CCI Prime, Crofter’s Organic, Monterey Bay Herb Co., Schlotterbeck & Foss, and Zipline Logistics. Walter’s prior investments include Aspire Media, Health Valley Foods, H-E Parts, Mercer Foods, Salient CRGT, Sigma Corporation, SI International (Nasdaq: SINT), Spice Chain Corporation, Wenner Bread Products, and Whitebridge Pet Brands. Walter serves on Frontenac’s Investment Committee and leads the firm’s Management Committee where he shares responsibility for the overall management of the firm.
Prior to Frontenac, Walter served as an Investment Banking Analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. A Pittsburgh native, Walter graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College and earned an MBA with distinction from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Aliment Capital
Phil Erlanger is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Pontifax Global Food and Agriculture Technology Fund, a growth equity investment firm focused on the food and agriculture technology space. He has more than 35 years of investing and advisory experience across a wide array of transactions, markets and industries, with transactional expertise across corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions and capital markets transactions of all kinds. Dr. Erlanger has a PhD in Economics and Finance from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School. Dr. Erlanger lives in Los Angeles.

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Balchem Corporation
Jonathan Griffin serves as the Senior Vice President for Corporate development at Balchem Corporation, where he leads efforts to accelerate the company’s strategic growth through acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, and value-creating partnerships. Balchem is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: BCPC) company, focused in the health and wellness space. The company is committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions to the nutrition, health, and food markets. Balchem operates across three reporting segments; Human Nutrition & Health, Animal Nutrition & Health, and Specialty Products (including Plant Nutrition). Jonathan has worked with Balchem for thirteen years, and previously served in various executive roles, including General management, strategy, and commercial leadership.
He holds a BS from Cornell University and a Masters in Business Management from the University of Florida. Jonathan lives with his beautiful wife and two teenage children on the family’s farm in rural Northern Connecticut.

CEO & Co-Owner, Copper Moon Coffee
Brad Gutwein is the CEO and co-owner of Copper Moon Coffee, a leading branded and contract coffee roaster and packager where he leads strategy, business development, and brand development. Prior to Copper Moon, he owned and operated Morning Song wild bird food before it was sold to Scotts Miracle-Gro in 2005. Brad graduated from Purdue University and resides in West Lafayette, Indiana.

CEO, AgXplore International
Tim Gutwein, CEO of AgXplore International, joined the company in 2006 as a co-investor when the company had just five employees and revenue of slightly over $2 million. As Director of Sales, Tim was instrumental in growing revenue at an annual average rate of more than 35% for over ten years. During that time the company also experienced operating income growth averaging more than 46% per year.
In 2018 Tim successfully completed a buyout of the founder. Since becoming the sole owner of AgX, Tim has completed the acquisition of their largest supplier, upgraded the entire product portfolio, improved quality control processes, and created a work environment that is both safe and attractive to employees. Today AgX operates out of two manufacturing facilities, four regional warehouse and has a sales foot print spanning much of the US. Under Tim’s ownership and leadership the company continues to grow and thrive.
Prior to joining AgX Tim worked in banking and commercial lending. Tim has a degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri.
Personally, Tim is very active. He loves to mountain bike, run, hike, travel, cook and spend time at the lake with his family.

National Director, MetLife Investment Management
Jonathan Holbrook is the National Director for MetLife Investment Management’s (“MIM”) Food & Agribusiness lending platform. He manages a national team of mortgage originators and analysts. Jonathan returned to MIM in February 2020 to assist managing the platform after a 5-year hiatus and was asked to head the team in October 2023. Jonathan originally joined MIM in 2007 where he was responsible for originating agribusiness loans in the western U.S.
Prior to that, Jonathan worked in commercial and agribusiness lending for large commercial banks, starting his career with the Farm Credit system. His lending career spans 35+ years.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from BYU Marriott School of Business.

CEO, NaturPak
Aaron Jackson is the CEO of NaturPak, a global leader in Tetra Pak Recart services, offering a variety of pet-food and human-food manufacturing solutions to many of the most renowned CPG brands across North America.
Prior to NaturPak, Jackson was instrumental in building Tru Fru, one of America’s fastest-growing snacking brands. Jackson helped scale the business and facilitated its acquisition by Mars Inc. in December 2022.
Jackson served as CEO at NorQuin (The Production Board) and was CEO of Ready Wise (Trivest Partners), creating a rapidly growing food products company known for its omni-channel approach and industry-leading direct-to-consumer (DTC) capabilities. He built Ready Wise into a category leader, which led to a successful exit in 2016.
Jackson’s career also includes leadership roles at Post Consumer Brands and Tyson Foods. Aaron actively serves on the boards of AgroAmerica, Miami Beef, and resides in Salt Lake City, UT with his family.

Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Food & Beverage Group, City National Bank
Shahe Kassardjian is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. CNB provides cash flow, asset-based, real estate, and equipment financing to middle-market food processors, distributors, and grocery retail.
Mr. Kassardjian has more than 25 years of financial services experience and has covered the food and beverage industry for the past 20 years. Prior to joining City National, he served as a senior vice president with GE Capital’s Food & Beverage Group.
Mr. Kassardjian earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University, Fullerton.

Principal, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Jeff Kragel is a private wealth professional with nearly two decades of experience at AllianceBernstein. Jeff specializes in providing strategic insights and multi-family office solutions to owners of food and beverage companies, athletes, and entertainers. Jeff's expertise includes investment management, income and estate tax planning, and philanthropic advising. Drawing on his extensive experience in the consumer sector, Jeff leverages his vast network of consultants, venture capital and private equity firms, and retail partners to help clients smoothly navigate the complexities of managing their wealth within the industry. Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and graduated cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Managing Director, Proterra Investment Partners
Prior to Proterra, Mr. Logan worked at CoBank ACB, a Farm Credit Bank, where he served as Executive Vice President of the Corporate Agribusiness Banking Group responsible for the bank’s large agribusiness and trade finance portfolios. Prior to CoBank, Mr. Logan was Managing Director of Glitnir Capital Corporation, a boutique investment company focused on seafood/food and geothermal energy. Prior to GCC, Mr. Logan worked for Rabobank International in Canada, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, and the Netherlands in investment and corporate banking. Previously, he worked for Senechal, Jorgenson, Hale & Co. as a management consultant serving the food and agribusiness industries.
Mr. Logan holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Lincoln University in New Zealand.

Co-Fonder, CEO, and Executive Chairman, Agrovision
Steve Magami is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Executive Chairman of Agrovision, a global leader in the superfruit industry that produces premium blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries. Agrovision has invested over $500 million in building a global highly integrated operation that owns and controls the entire value chain from R&D of leading genetics and tech to partnerships w/ leading retailers. The company has developed proprietary cutting-edge software, technology, and AI, to deliver consistently high-quality superfruits year-round. With production developed across the world’s most optimal micro-climates spanning 8 countries, Agrovision is reshaping the global produce market by offering a superior eating experience with its Fruitist and Big Skye brands.
Steve has a long career backing and building companies. After recognizing a significant opportunity to transform the consumer experience in the produce category, envisioning the potential for more delightful, premium products by fully leveraging technology and AI to build and operate the business across the entire value chain, Agrovision was born and has since grown rapidly, becoming the global leader in premium blueberries.
Prior to Agrovision, Steve served as Principal at Lovell Minnick Partners, the private equity arm of Putnam Lovell Jefferies, managing $1 billion in private equity partnerships. He has held board positions in numerous private equity, hedge fund, and venture capital-backed companies, bringing a deep understanding of global markets and business growth to his leadership role at Agrovision. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

CEO, Sun World International, LLC
David O. Marguleas is chief executive officer of Sun World International, LLC, a global fruit genetics company dedicated to developing and out-licensing new fruit varieties and the Intellectual Property they comprise. Sun World breeds new fruit varieties and works with a network of licensed growers and marketers in most of the world’s fruit producing regions. The California-based company maintains offices in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Israel, China and South Africa. It was acquired by Bridgepoint Advisers, a London-based private equity firm, in May 2021.
Marguleas began his Sun World career in 1986 in retail merchandising and public relations. He has since overseen many facets of Sun World’s former vertically integrated produce business, including sales and marketing, packing and cold storage facilities and operations, farming, research & development, international licensing, grower relations and business development. He previously served as the Company’s executive vice president until he was named CEO in July 2019.
He is a past board chair of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) where he served two terms as a director and member of that global trade association’s executive committee. He served on and has chaired several industry boards including the California Table Grape Commission and the California Fresh Fruit Association. In addition to being a shareholder and board director of Sun World, Marguleas serves on the board of Divine Flavor, a leading Mexico-based produce marketing company, and on the advisory board of Elevated Foods, a start-up aiming to bring transparency and visibility to the fresh produce supply chain.
A third-generation member of the produce industry, Marguleas earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is a regular attendee of the University of California at Davis’ Agribusiness Executive programs. He was previously a journalist for various publications including The New York Times, The Packer and The Bakersfield Californian.
He lives with his wife Robin in Palm Desert, California.

Head of Investment Development and Capital Markets, Paine Schwartz Partners
Mr. Novak joined Paine Schwartz Partners in 2010 as a member of the firm’s investment team. In 2020, he was appointed to the position of Head of Investment Development and Capital Markets where he primarily focuses on identifying new investment opportunities, as well as strengthening the firm’s relationships with industry stakeholders and optimizing capital markets and financing activities.
From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Novak was a member of Swander Pace Capital, a middle-market private equity firm in San Francisco, where he focused on investing in manufacturers, marketers, and distributors of consumer products. He began his career at Banc of America Securities in their consumer and retail investment banking group in Chicago.
He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (Bachelor of Arts in Economics).

Managing Director, Head of Private Equity, Fengate Asset Management
As Managing Director, Group Head of Private Equity, Jennifer is responsible for the management and expansion of the firm’s private equity funds, as well as investor relations, team leadership and development, strategic planning, and operations. She is a member of the Fengate Executive and Investment Committees.
Prior to joining Fengate in 2023, Jennifer was with CPP Investments for almost twelve years, most recently acting as Managing Director, Private Equity, leading coverage in the consumer sector. Prior to CPP Investments, Jennifer worked as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group where she advised a broad range of clients with a focus on financial institutions and consumer companies.
Jennifer holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a B.A.Sc in Engineering from the University of Toronto. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for GraceMed and Saco Foods, and previously served on the boards of Ultimate Kronos Group and Petco Health and Wellness.

Executive, Creative Artists Agency
Haley Sproull is an Executive at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading global talent agency focused on creating limitless opportunities for the storytellers, trendsetters, icons, and thought leaders who shape popular culture. As a member of the Talent Business Ventures team, she works between clients, capital partners and operators to incubate new brands. Before CAA, Haley was an early-stage technology investor at LA-based fund, Crosscut Ventures, and spent several years at BCG, where she focused on consumer and retail. Since 2020, she has supported CAA portfolio companies in raising $50M+ in private equity capital from leading consumer funds like L Catterton, New Mountain Capital and Willow Growth Partners.
Haley graduated from Yale with a B.A. in History.

Chief Executive Officer, Pegasus Foods
Barry joined Pegasus Foods in October of 2018 and led the relocation of Pegasus from California to Rockwall, Texas before becoming CEO in 2020.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Barry relocated to the United States in 2012 with LSG Group, a subsidiary of German airline company, Lufthansa AG. Barry spent 17 of his over 25 years food industry experience with LSG in various senior and executive leadership positions working in the United Kingdom, Middle East and the United States.
Barry holds an MBA from the University of Brighton and currently lives in Richardson, moving to Texas from New York in 2019.
Based in Rockwall, Pegasus Foods is a leading contract manufacturer of high-quality, frozen appetizers, burritos, sides and frozen desserts for some of the largest retail and restaurant chains in the country.

Senior Operating Partner, Inverness Graham Partners and CEO, Intrinsyx Bio
Greg has been engaged over the past 25 years in the biofuel, food ingredients and agriculture verticals. He current serves as CEO at Intrinsxy Bio which just announced a global distribution agreement with Syngenta and Senior Operating Partner with PE firm Inverness Graham.
He has held numerous executive leadership roles, including CEO of Intrinsyx Bio (current), CEO of PureField Ingredients – the largest wheat protein producer in North America, CEO of White Energy – 7th largest Biofuel company in North America, and Co-Founder, President and COO of Verdesian Life Sciences. Additionally, Greg has served in advisory roles at Bain & Company and is a board member of NewLeaf Symbiotics. Throughout his career, he has led nine M&A transactions totaling over $1.3B. Greg currently serves at the Board Chair of Custom Agronomics and My Yield.
He holds a B.S. in Marketing and Finance from Penn State University and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School.

Co-CEO, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Inc.
Oscar Verges is co-CEO of Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Inc., a variety developer, licensor and nursery stock provider serving the world’s leading blueberry growers with the industry’s best genetics, plants and technical support around the globe.
Oscar joined Fall Creek in 2016 after 8 years in telecommunications as an investor and Managing Director of two mobile service providers in Spain. His prior 15 years in the fruit sector began with Chiquita Brands International, Inc. where he served for 12 years in various roles including Managing Director for Chiquita’s Food Innovation department.
Oscar holds an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor of Science in Management and International Relations awarded from the University of Tampa.
Oscar and his wife live in Eugene, Oregon and have 4 sons who are active cyclists and Track & Field athletes.

Managing Director, Endeavour Capital
Bradaigh is a Managing Director at Endeavour, where she focuses on identifying and investing in companies in the food, consumer, specialty retail, consumer services, and distribution industries. She currently sits on the boards of Manitobah and Global Harvest. She previously was on the boards of PMI/Stanley, New Seasons Market, Columbus Salame, OFD Foods, Arizona Nutritional Supplements and other privately held companies.
Endeavour has been investing in privately-held, Western U.S.-based companies since its founding in 1991. Today, the Firm has over $2.3 billion under management and has offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver and Portland to support its ‘local’, relationship-based approach. Stewardship and a long-term view are at the heart of their strategy. To learn more, please visit Endeavour’s website: www.endeavour.com.
Bradaigh has an A.B. from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two children. Bradaigh is also on the board of Rainier Scholars, a Seattle-based non-profit.

CFO, Pairwise
Lynsey Wenger is Chief Financial Officer of Pairwise. Prior to joining Pairwise in 2020, Wenger served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer at Calysta, a biotechnology company developing alternative protein ingredients using a novel fermentation technology platform. She also spent 16 years with Goldman Sachs, including the greater part of a decade specializing in global natural resources investment banking. Wenger holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Duke University.

Chief Executive Officer, Devansoy LLC
Deb joined the founder of Devansoy in January 1990. After a transition of many roles over the years, Deb was named CEO in 2014 and became sole owner in 2016. Deb has grown the company into a leading supplier of plant based proteins, including liquid oat and liquid soy as the raw material found in many leading brands, private label and box store brands. The facility is located in Rock City, IL. Deb was raised on a farm in western Iowa, attended the University of Iowa, and is married and has three adult children, and 7 grandchildren.

Principal, Aurora Capital Partners
Bryant Yung joined Aurora Capital Partners in 2019. Previously, he was at Empyrean Capital Partners, an event-driven hedge fund, and Oak Hill Capital Partners. Prior to Oak Hill, he was in the Investment Banking Division of UBS in New York. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of SRP, Spray-Tek and Universal Pure.
Mr. Yung holds a Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.

Co-Founder & CEO, Plant Grow Harvest
David Zaitz is the co-founder and CEO of Plant Grow Harvest, and has served as CEO of B. Zaitz & Sons, the Zaitz family holding company, since 2013. David began his career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in its investment banking division in the Corporate Finance and Capital Restructuring Group, and left in 2013 to join his father, Ben Zaitz, in managing the family’s assets. David also serves as Board Member of E-Green Americas, a tissue culture laboratory based in Minneapolis, MN. In 2016, David was named to Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30: Food & Drink for his role at BZS.

2024 Speakers