Thomas Edison State University

Chief Customer Officer at Kar's Nuts

Tropicale Foods, LLC

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

Second Nature Brands

Chief Customer Officer

Kettle Cuisine

EVP Sales, Marketing & R&D

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

Vice President Sales - Grocery

Led North American Sales that consisted of 130 people across all channels (Grocery, C Store, Drug, Foodservice). There were 10 direct reports and the role reported directly to the President of the Division. Revenue responsibility was $850M across carrots, refrigerated beverages and dressings. Senior leadership team responsibilities creating innovation, trade strategy and the execution of the strategic business plan for the Division. 
-	Launched new ultra premium beverage platform in 9 months across North America which led to an incremental $20M in sales for the Division.
-	Led the growth of both the top and bottom line for the 3 years in the Division increasing sales 10% and EBITDA 3%.
-	Expanded distribution of the CPG business to Foodservice, C Store and Drug Channels increasing sales $15M.
-	Coached, developed and led 14 internal promotions in the first year in role.
-       Broke sales records on beverage and dressings leading to 8% growth on beverage and 20% growth on dressings.
-      Achieved the highest share in company history for beverage (37%) and dressings (12.4%)
-      Delivered the highest share (53%) in the carrot category in company history.

Bolthouse Farms

SVP Sales/Chief Customer Officer

Led North American sales that consisted of 7 direct reports for regional grocery accounts, Canada and Europe. Reported directly to the Chief Customer Officer.  Revenue responsibility was $450M across carrots, refrigerated beverages and dressings. Led trade strategy ($30M) and the execution of the Division’s Annual Operating Plan. 
-	Achieved the highest distribution for new items in company history for the beverage businesses that led to an increase in $20M in sales and a 1% increase in household penetration.
-	Secured 3 new Carrot contracts that accounted for over $20M in sales annually.

V.P. Grocery Sales

Responsibilities were to develop and lead the sales strategy for the North American Food Service Division. The team consisted of 17 people and reported directly to the VP of Sales. Led the trade strategy ($80M), planning process and the overall strategic sales direction in conjunction with Marketing to achieve consecutive years of on plan performance. This role also led the corporate accounts team at the headquarter level for Sysco, US Foods, Gordon’s Food Service, Performance Foods Group and all Independent distributors leading to increased distribution and year over year contract renewals which accounted for $200M in annual sales. Revenue responsibility was $400M annually. 
-	Led the complete reorganization of the Traditional Food Service Sales Force in 2010 that led to the first year of Foodservice being on plan in 5 years. 
-	Co - Led the transformation of the North American Food Service Division trade strategy in 2010 that led to a savings of $5M on the bottom line.
-	Achieved the highest honor at Campbell’s, The Dorrance Award in 2012 rewarding the overall Foodservice team with the best business performance in the the Campbell Soup Company.

Campbell Soup Company

VP - Sales Planning and Strategy/Strategic Accounts

Led the trade strategy and planning process for the sauce and beverages business which consisted of the V8, Prego and Pace brands. The role reported directly to the VP of Sales Planning and Strategy and led 5 direct reports. This role was responsible for $200M in trade and was on the leadership team of a $1B Division. Accomplishments included, launching V8 V-Fusion that became a $500M brand, managed the launch of the V8/Coca Cola agreement that drove an incremental $10M in sales and lead the double digit growth of the Prego and Pace businesses.

Director - Sales Planning and Strategy

Led Field Sales for the West Area consisting of 4 Regional Managers and 19 Broker Agencies across all categories of the company. The top accounts were Costco, Michael’s, Ace Hardware, True Value, Kmart, Walgreen’s and Kroger.

Elmer's Products, Inc.

Director Of Sales

Created a team of 5 people that became the liaison between Marketing and Field Sales. Developed sales tools to create fact based selling materials that led to delivering plan consecutive years. Led the implementation the of trade strategy and the $35M budget.

Director of Sales Planning

Led Sales Planning for the Post Cereal Division of Kraft Foods consisting of 4 direct reports. Managed the execution of all Category Management, trade promotions and new item launches. Responsibilities for the trade budget and all trade strategy.

Kraft Foods Group

Director Sales Planning - Post Cereal Division

Led Sales Planning team for the Mass and Club channels in the Snack’s Division (Planters, Milk-Bone and Handi-Snack Cheese) of Kraft Foods. Responsibilities were to lead the Category Management, Marketing plans and the trade budget for the Planters business. Increased focus on efficient trade promotions and category management led to this Division eclipsing the Billion-dollar mark for the first time in company history.

Sales Planning Manager - Planters Divison

Responsible for the Mass channel on the Planters, Milk-Bone and the Handi-Snack businesses. Led the strategy for new items, category management and marketing plans.

Category Sales Planner

Managed 2 customer business teams consisting of 20 people totaling $200M in annual sales. Responsible for the management of the entire Kraft Foods North America portfolio (Ex. Biscuit). Superior execution of the annual plan resulted in back to back over plan attainment years.

Customer Business Manager

Responsible for all merchandising funds for 3 categories (Pizza, Boca and Dinners) in the Boston Region. This included working directly with corporate headquarters to execute annual objectives. The Boston Region was the fastest growing Pizza Region in the country +37%. This led to Boston being Region of the year.

Region Category Planner

Managed the frozen pizza direct store delivery business for 7 accounts (Shoprite, Pathmark, Acme, Giant Carlisle, Fleming, Clemens and Genuardi’s) in the New York/Philadelphia area. Managed all of the sales plans including planograms to deliver annual sales plans.

Key Account Manager

Managed $4.5MM district for the Pizza Division. Led 6 direct store delivery sales representatives, managed 8 key accounts and the District’s P&L.

Mike Illum