Food Science & R&D Leader | Alternative Proteins, Fermentation & Scale-Up Expert | Food Safety, Quality Systems & Manufacturing Commercialization

Overview

Food science leader with extensive experience building and leading R&D, quality, and food safety organizations in high-growth food companies. Career includes executive leadership roles at pioneering alternative protein companies, hands-on startup of manufacturing facilities, and global technology transfer across multiple regions. Current consulting work focuses on helping food companies accelerate product development, de-risk scale-up, and implement robust food safety and quality systems.

Short Bio

Food scientist and R&D executive with 25 years of experience bringing innovative food products from concept to commercial scale. Advises food companies on product development, food safety, quality systems, and manufacturing scale-up.

What I Bring

End-to-end food product development from bench research to commercial manufacturing
Executive leadership across R&D, quality, food safety, and manufacturing functions
Proven startup experience launching new plants, products, and manufacturing programs
Deep expertise in GMP, HACCP, HARPC, SQF, and PCQI food safety systems
Hands-on scale-up, piloting, and technology transfer to co-manufacturers
Strong formulation, shelf-life, and microbiology expertise across frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable foods
Ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing technical teams

Key Technologies & Product Expertise

Plant-based and alternative protein products
Precision fermentation and enzyme-based ingredients
GMP, HACCP, HARPC, SQF program design and audits
Food safety and microbiology testing programs
Pilot plant and lab kitchen design and operation
Manufacturing scale-up and technology transfer
Packaging design, procurement, and implementation
Label development and nutrition facts panels
Sensory, consumer, and application testing
Downstream fermentation processing (filtration, centrifugation, drying, coating)

Titles Held

Founder & Principal Consultant, Dewdrop Consulting, 2024-Present
Vice President, Product, Process & Quality, Tezza Foods, 2023-2024
Vice President, Product Development & Quality, Impossible Foods, 2013-2023
Formulation & Process Development Scientist (Progressive Roles), Genencor-Danisco / DuPont Industrial Biosciences, 2000-2013
Product Development Assistant / Internships, Dreyer’s-Edy’s, McCormick, J.M. Smucker, 1995-1997

Career Highlights

Built and led a 37-person R&D, packaging, and quality organization supporting rapid product expansion
Led startup of Impossible Foods’ first manufacturing plant and commercial launch of Impossible Burger in 2017
Scaled multiple SKUs from pilot to full commercial production with global co-manufacturing partners
Designed and implemented enterprise food safety and quality systems supporting regulatory approvals and audits
Improved margins through product renovation, ingredient optimization, and manufacturing quality strategies
Led global product and process scale-up across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America

Education & Professional Certifications

MS, Dairy Products Technology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 2000
BS, Food Science, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 1997
Minor: Packaging
PCQI Qualified
SQF Level 2 Certified
HACCP / HARPC Leadership Responsibility
ServSafe Trained

Languages

English- Native

Impact

Commercialized breakthrough food technologies by taking products from concept through pilot, scale-up, and full manufacturing launch.
Built and led high-impact R&D, quality, and food safety organizations enabling rapid SKU expansion and operational excellence.
Established robust GMP, HACCP, HARPC, and SQF systems that enabled regulatory approval, audit readiness, and safe global production.
Enabled margin expansion and manufacturing stability through product renovation, process optimization, and quality-driven scale-up.
Accelerated innovation and reduced risk for food companies through hands-on consulting, mentoring, and technical leadership.

Expert Details