Stephen Chester has 20+ years experience in the food industry with progressive management experience across diverse categories and channels of distribution. This includes specific roles in Marketing, R&D, Sales, and General Management with large CPG branded food companies (Frito-Lay and Best Foods) as well as mid-size companies such as Doskocil Foodservice and Kerry Food & Beverage. Steve started his food career with Frito-Lay as a new product process engineer. In this position he was part of a team that successfully launched a new product, which is still on the retail shelf today. After furthering his formal education, he moved into the Marketing function - initially in cross-functional project management and then in brand management. Steve progressed through the various roles in marketing with Frito-Lay and Best Foods, and then accepted a position with IBP’s Doskocil Foodservice division as Vice President of Marketing and R&D. Upon IBP’s acquisition by Tyson Foods, Steve played a key role in the foodservice integration strategy. His last manufacturer position was as General Manager of the branded business for Kerry Food & Beverage including direct management of sales, marketing, R&D, and customer service in both the foodservice and retail channels. Steve’s consulting practice, including his work with Technomic, has leveraged his manufacturer experience with projects in business strategy, brand management, product innovation, go-to-market planning, acquisition assessment, and organizational structure. Steve is married, has three children, and lives with his family in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. He enjoys being with his family, sailing, working with Boy Scouts, and helping the food industry develop talent. He is co-inventor on a food patent (while at Frito-Lay) and served in the U.S. Navy on submarines prior to attending college. Steve has a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration, Southern Methodist University. |