David Robinov is now the executive vice president of operations and product development for Galaxy Nutritional Foods, Inc. of Orlando, FL.

Stephen Strassler, president of Haddonfield, NJ-based Reviva Labs, presented a Certificate of Excellence to broadcast journalist and Philadelphia news anchor Tracy Davidson for her consumer protection reports.

Vitasoy USA of Ayer, MA announced several changes to its staff: Walt Riglian is the new president and CEO, Susan Rolnick is now the marketing director, Mark Sherburne is director of sales and Jay Toscano will serve as West natural sales manager.

Los Angeles, CA-based Jarrow Formulas, Inc., hired Kaori Shimazaki, Ph.D. to be its new technical specialist.

Akkeem Harrison
and Stephen DiNatale joined the sales team of Elmwood Park, NJ-based Nutraceuticals International LLC. Harrison will cover the mid-Atlantic states and DiNatale will be responsible for the west and mid-west states.

Charles Amidon was chosen to be the chief operating officer of National Enzyme Company, headquartered in Forsyth, MO. He will oversee information systems, manufacturing, quality assurance and purchasing.

S.K. Dash, president of Eden Prairie, MN-based UAS Laboratories, will serve as an adjunct professor for South Dakota State University’s department of food science and nutrition.

Vitamin Shoppe of Bergenfield, NJ named Joe Weiss as its new vice president of corporate brands. “In this capacity, he is responsible for sourcing, innovation and branding strategy for all Vitamin Shoppe private label brands,” said the firm.

The American Botanical Council of Austin, TX has a new member of its board of trustees: Margaret M. Wittenberg, who is currently the global vice president of quality standards and public affairs for Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Joan Boykin, previously of Celestial Seasonings, has joined The Organic Center, based in Boulder, CO. She will be the executive director.

Irvine, CA-based Vitamer Labs, announced several executive changes at Nexgen. Steve Brown will be CEO and chairman of the board of Nexgen Pharma, Inc. (Vitamer’s parent company); his son, Kyle Brown, will be the president of the Private Label Division; and his son-in-law Ian Gibson will be the president of the Nexgen division of Nexgen Pharma, Inc.

Deerland Enzymes, Inc.
of Kennesaw, GA expanded its technology and R&D departments. Deerland Enzymes Co-Founder Hilton Dawson was named chief technology officer, reporting to Scott Ravech, CEO. Reporting Hilton is Qing-lin Li as vice president of research and development. John Deaton continues as director of quality control. Phil Ronsivalli was promoted to the position of senior application development manager.
 

In Memoriam
At the beginning of January, Betty Franklin passed away at the age of 91. Franklin was a feature writer for Let’s Live magazine, where she wrote many articles on nutrition, health and beauty. Stephen Strassler, president of Reviva Labs wrote of her, “If one were to describe a truly sweet, intelligent, genuine, honest and caring human being it would be Betty Franklin…I know she imparted a wealth of information and enlightenment to her readers.”

 

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2010