New talent and staff realignments reflect strategic priorities to drive egg industry growth opportunities.

March 27, 2023

3 Min Read
American Egg Board announces new sustainability, innovation directors

The American Egg Board (AEB) recently announced new talent additions and key staffing realignments to support egg industry strategic priorities.

New Director of Sustainability Kristen Wharton will oversee development and administration of AEB’s sustainability program encompassing critical industry-level research and education initiatives. She brings important food system expertise and experience in regenerative agriculture, climate change resilience and water/nutrient management stewardship, most recently as vice president of corporate responsibility with Handsome Brook Farms.

Nelson Serrano-Bahri has been hired as director of innovation. As a key member of AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab, Serrano-Bahri will manage execution of the strategic innovation program, including new product pipeline development and customer relationship building. Serrano-Bahri will also establish AEB’s first technical research program to more effectively work with food technologists and research chefs. He most recently served as the culinary and innovation manager with Ingredion Inc. and has previously held positions at Unilever, Kraft and Nestle.

Director of Project Management Francis Garvey Garvey has been hired to provide strategic direction and project management for major AEB programs and projects, ensuring efforts receive proper planning, resources, and focus to maximize impact and effectiveness. She brings 16-plus years of experience driving enterprise-level initiatives for a wide range of organizations and holds PMP (Project Management Professional) and CSM (Certified Scrum Master) certifications.

Cassie Morren has joined the organization as executive assistant. She will support AEB’s Leadership team as executive assistant. She brings 16 years of experience in executive administrative and meeting/event coordination. Morren fell in love with agriculture during her time at the Pig Improvement Company and is excited to return to the ag industry.

AEB also announced the following changes for key current personnel:

  • Mike Hostetler promoted to vice president, consumer insights. This elevated role recognizes both Hostetler’s contribution and the strategic importance of Consumer Insights at AEB—establishing a centralized, standalone function with a seat on AEB’s Leadership Team. Hostetler has distinguished himself as the architect of the AEB’s insights hub—the egg industry’s first-ever integrated consumer, customer and industry research and intelligence center to support marketing, innovation and industry-level strategic initiatives. He also led creation of the AEB’s enterprise-wide data analytics framework and the AEB Newsroom—the egg industry’s first real-time news and social media monitoring and response center.

  • Nate Hedtke assumes new role as vice president, innovation and customer engagement. Previously vice president of insights and innovation, Hedtke will continue leading AEB’s innovation and market development programs spanning manufacturing, foodservice, retail and exports, with additional director-level support for channel outreach and relationship building.

  • Elisa Maloberti assumes new role as manager of special projects and food safety. Maloberti’s extensive technical and industry expertise in eggs and egg products will be extended to oversight of special projects. As the AEB’s in-house food safety expert, Maloberti will also continue to support consumer and customer communications initiatives.

“The success of our organization rests with our people, and the American Egg Board is continuing to deepen its talent and expertise in furthering our shared vision,” said Emily Metz, AEB president and CEO. “Sustainability and purpose-driven production are table stakes today and pushing the boundaries of opportunities for eggs through innovation is crucial to our future. We’ve made new additions to our team in both areas, along with adding new project management and administrative support. We’re also repositioning some of our existing leadership and functions to ensure we are set up to achieve both near- and long-term strategic objectives for America’s egg farmers.”

 

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