Outstanding Advisory Board
Axiom Foods has been fortunate to attract key individuals in various, complimentary areas of research, manufacturing, business development and distribution. Each brings unique yet complimentary knowledge bases that result in propelling Axiom Foods to the next level. Click on the name for their bio explaining why each individual stands out in their respective areas of expertise.
David Janow, CEO & President, Axiom Foods
Thomas D. Aarts, Founder, NBJ, Investment Banker & Nutrition Company Advisor
Thomas C. Kelly, Dietary & Nutraceutical Consultant
Cheryl R. Mitchell, Ph.D. –President, Owner & Senior Research Chemist, Creative Research Management
Robert Orr, President & CEO, Ocean Nutrition Canada
Matt Pearson, President, Marron Foods
Donald K. Thorp – President, Premium Ingredients
“I want to be involved with Axiom Foods because it’s on the cutting edge of launching WGBR (whole grain brown rice) ingredients into the mainstream food and nutrition markets, thanks to David Janow’s passion for the power of brown rice. Keep an eye on the ingredient labels for the WGBR revolution that has begun.”
–Thomas Kelly, Advisory Board Member
David Janow, CEO & President, Axiom Foods
David Janow has arrived to the position of CEO and President of Axiom Foods after an extensive education and work experience that makes him uniquely qualified. He received a B.S. degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Miami, followed by a JD then MBA from Pace University School of Law and Lubin School of Business. His education culminated with an LLM from Fordham University in New York. After passing the New York, Connecticut, and California Bars, he worked for Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft on Wall Street. Next, David joined his mother and father in the family business, helping grow New York’s Citadel International Corporation’s commodities distribution network. After designing and setting rice ingredient manufacturing standards that are still followed today, he became solely focused on the untapped possibilities of WGBR fractions. A sought-after industry advisor and speaker, David is continuing to set new standards while dedicating himself to the creation of better foods through rice, for all stages of life.
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Thomas D. Aarts, Founder, Nutrition Business "Journal of Record", Investment Banker & Nutrition Company Advisor
Thomas D. Aarts has more than 20 years experience in management consulting, M&A transactions, investment analysis and market research. In the nutrition industry, Aarts successfully managed the sale of Nutrition 21, a $20 million company, and has advised many leading companies in the Nutrition, Food and Pharmaceutical industries. These include GNC, Rexall, Nestle, Bayer, and Cargill. He co-founded the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), the "journal of record" in the nutrition and natural products industry. Aarts is also the Founder and co-chair of the NBJ/Newport Summit, the premier executive retreat in the Nutrition Industry (www.newportsummit.com). Prior to NBJ, Tom was a founding Partner with Health Business Partners (HBP), one of the leading investment banking and consulting firms in the Nutrition Industry. Thomas D. Aarts is currently Managing Director of Nutrition Business Advisors, LLC (NBA), a strategic advisory firm.
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Thomas C. Kelly, Dietary & Nutraceutical Consultant
Thomas C. Kelly has an undergraduate Degree in Chemistry (BS), with related MBA courses from the University of Akron. He has spent a major part of his career in the “Fortune 500” environment, with such companies as; Diamond Shamrock, Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Kelly has consulted with a number of off shore companies, for entrance into the U.S. market. Beyond these companies, he has been active with startup companies, regulatory compliance, M&A activities, business integration, business development in specialties and fine chemicals, early stage pharmaceutical intermediates, dietary and nutraceutical (bulk ingredients and contract manufacturing for tablets and capsules) and genetic testing. He has held positions ranging from National Accounts Manager to Executive Vice President of Business Development and Managing Director for international off shore companies in the Pharmaceuticals, Botanical, Nutraceuticals, and Food supplement industries, such as SynProTec (UK), Sinochem Inc. (Chinese), Indfrag Ltd. (India), and Renaissance Herbs Inc. (US/Indian).
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Cheryl R. Mitchell, Ph.D. –President, Owner & Senior Research Chemist, Creative Research Management
With over 47 patents to her name, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell is recognized as a world authority on sweeteners, rice processing, and the extraction and metabolism of insulin. She has spent the last 30 years working in the food industry, creating wholesome ingredients through unique food processing methods that retain and maximize the natural beneficial components of foods. In 1980, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell co-owned and co-founded California Natural Products (CNP). Utilizing four of the many patented products created by her, CNP became a highly successful manufacturer and aseptic packager. The Rice Dream® product, which is the largest-selling rice beverage in the United States, is just one of Dr. Mitchell’s very successful products. Dr. Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Association of Cereal Chemists.
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Robert Orr, President & CEO, Ocean Nutrition Canada
Since 1997, Orr has expertly managed the startup, financing and growth of Ocean Nutrition Canada – the creators of Omega 3. His 20 years of senior management experience in the Natural Product, Marine Biotech, Food Retailing, Wholesaling and Advertising industries have helped make us Canada’s fastest-growing marine biotechnology and natural product ingredients company. This experience includes the creation and management of several startup companies, and responsibility for large multinational corporate division operations. It has also allowed Robert to assemble a sizeable, extremely accomplished, multidisciplinary team – the cornerstone of our business strategy, and a major contributing factor to our revenue growth.
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Matt Pearson, President, Marron Foods
In 2002, Matt Pearson established Marron Foods, which manufactures and packages powdered products, such as non-fat dried milk, whey protein concentrates, and various food additives. He is one of the leaders in the process of instantizing powdered products, including calcium citrates in multiple juices. Using his own resources, he has funded the development of proprietary manufacturing equipment that allows the company to do more specialty work. Pearson’s professional philosophy is to stay focused and maintain profitability while preparing for the inevitable change in life and business cycles. He attributes his success to problem-solving experience and creating a team of extremely dedicated employees.
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Donald K. Thorp – President, Premium Ingredients
Don Thorp attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and received a B.S. degree in Business Finance. He has more than 20 years experience in the Food and Beverage Industry working along side his father, Richard Thorp, who started Greenfield Thorp Co. - a broker company, along with partner Aaron Greenfield in 1978. Since that time, he had worked directly in every aspect of the business from customer service to accounting and sales. In 1992, with his father, brother and uncle, he established Premium Ingredients International to expand the food ingredients business. Currently residing as President and CEO, Don actively manages the day to day global business. He also is an active member of the IFT (Institute of Food Technologists), DCAT (Drug, Chemical & Allied Trades Assoc.), YPO (Young President’s Organization), and TAB (The Alternative Board).
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