Frontier has assembled a team of managers with both the business skills and personal qualities to maintain the high standards for products, service and responsibility that have been the company's tradition.
Tony Bedard, Chief Executive OfficerTony came to Frontier in 1991 and subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility in Operations. He has been Frontier's CEO since 2003. Prior to joining the company, Tony was a Production Manager with Winnebago Industries. Tony holds a B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.S. in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University.
Bill is the Chief Financial Officer at Frontier Natural Products Co-op. He has been with the company since 1992, when he started as Controller and was promoted to V.P. of Finance in 2000. Throughout his tenure at Frontier, Bill has been a member of the executive management team responsible for establishing, along with the board of directors, and implementing the key policies, overall direction and strategy for the business. Prior to joining Frontier, Bill was a partner in the public accounting firm Laird, Kooistra & Co. Bill has a B.S. in Statistics and Industrial Administration from Iowa State University and is a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of experience working with co-operatives. Bill served two terms as an Inside Director on Frontier's Board of Directors.
Clint Landis, Chief Marketing OfficerClint has over twenty years of experience in business management — twelve of those years marketing consumer-packaged goods in both the traditional grocery and the natural food industries. He has held the positions of Product Manager, Category Manager, Director of Marketing, VP of Marketing, and Chief Marketing Officer. Clint first started at Frontier in 1993 as the Category Manager for the co-op's aromatherapy lines and currently oversees all marketing activities for the company. Clint has an MBA from the University of Iowa.
Cole Daily, Vice President of Global SourcingCole has been with Frontier since 1991, working in various positions within purchasing and operations management. He spent four months in Weaverville as a member of the transition team following Frontier's acquisition of Aura Cacia. He also worked with the sale of the Frontier organic coffee business. As the purchasing director, Cole helped Frontier grow its pioneering organic spice business into one of the largest in the United States by developing strong relationships with organic suppliers around the world. He holds a B.A. from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa.
Nancy Hinkel, Human Resources DirectorNancy came to Frontier in 2004 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Human Resources department since then. She was promoted to HR Director in 2006. Nancy has seventeen years of human resources experience, including several years of generalist and HR management experience in manufacturing environments. She also managed a small full-service grocery store for nine years. Nancy has a B.A. in Business Administration from Coe College and has taken graduate courses at the University of Iowa. She also has certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the HRCI Institute and has been a member of national and local SHRM chapters for over seven years.
Dr. Ravin Donald, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Research and DevelopmentRavin has been with the company since 1999 and leads Frontier's Quality and Research and Development teams. Prior to joining Frontier, Ravin spent eight years working as a scientist. His research career includes a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa and work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey. Ravin holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University, and also has a Master's Degree and Bachelor's degrees in Microbiology and Electrical Engineering.
Kathy Larson, Vice President of SustainabilityKathy has worked at Frontier since 1980. She has been a member of the co-op's management team from its first formation, and she served two terms on Frontier's Board of Directors. She has held a variety of management positions in purchasing, quality assurance, research and development, marketing and social responsibility. She developed and implemented Frontier's sustainability program in 2006 and continues to direct and expand the program. She is currently the Frontier's Vice President of Sustainability and a member of the Board of Directors for the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association (FTSLA). Kathy travels to Europe, South America, Australia and Asia to visit botanical suppliers and establish organic and sustainable programs for Frontier. Kathy is an herbalist, an aromatherapist, and a strong advocate of organic agriculture.
Steve Shriver, Vice President Aura CaciaSteve is a pioneer and entrepreneur in the organic and sustainability movement within the United States. He has been in the natural products industry since 1995 and has owned a number of natural skin care companies. The best known is Eco Lips, of which he is chairman and the majority shareholder. A green enthusiast, Steve initiated a solar power project that turned into one of Iowa's largest solar power projects. In 2003 Steve ran from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Cedar Rapids, Iowa (52 miles) in less than nine hours to raise money and awareness for Iowa's homeless population. In 2006 he founded The Organic Endurathon -- a series of 10 marathons in 10 days to raise awareness of organic products.
Mike Otter, Director of OperationsMike joined Frontier in 2006. He has had a number of leadership positions in the Operations group, including Engineering and Maintenance, and, most recently, Plant Manager. Mike’s background includes 15 years of manufacturing experience, with over 10 years in the production and packaging of food products. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nebraska.
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