We’ve gathered influential leaders from food industry companies, as well as industry experts who can help you navigate the best route to increased growth for your company or brand.
Join CFBN and Wells Fargo for an event designed for leaders of emerging brands, leadership from established mid-size brands, CEOs, Founders, and Owners. Your company’s ability to drive innovative approaches to growth across all departments -- from product, customer service, sales, operations, leadership and culture, down to finance and planning -- are what set you apart from your competitors as an emerging, growing, or established brand in the Chicagoland food and beverage industry.
This event is specifically designed for leadership to participate in conversations and content focused on growth and innovation across the industry landscape. Join us for an event designed to give you new tools and insights from food & beverage industry leaders.
AGENDA
5:00 PM Doors Open
5:30 PM Panel Discussion and Q&A
6:30 PM Networking
8:00 PM Event Ends
SPEAKERS
TIM BOSSLET
CFO
Chomps
Tim Bosslet serves as the CFO of Chomps, one of the fastest-growing food brands in the U.S., with products made from the highest-quality proteins and no harmful ingredients. With over 15 years of Finance and CPG experience, he has served as part of Chomps’ Leadership team for over 5 years. Tim is responsible for supporting the Company’s significant growth while establishing and scaling the financing, planning, reporting, finance, and accounting functions at Chomps. Prior to Chomps, Tim spent ~8 years in investment banking, focusing on M&A and financing activities for Consumer and Food companies. Tim also spent several years working professionally as a chef at leading Chicago restaurants. Based in the Chicago office, Tim is passionate about creating a sustainable and profitable enterprise by supporting a strong team and collaborating across functions.
GARRETT OLSON
CFO
Miniat Holdings
Garrett is the CFO of Miniat Holdings, a fifth-generation, family-owned business portfolio specializing in custom food products for North American restaurant chains, food service companies, global CPG companies and South Chicago Packing branded beef tallow sold in retail and ecommerce channels.
Garrett joined Miniat Holdings in early 2024, bringing over 25 years financial expertise and strategic leadership to the organization. Garrett is responsible for partnering with the business leaders to build the organizations strategic financial plans and implementing the overall shareholder return algorithm. Before joining Miniat, Garrett served as CFO of the Prepared Foods segment at Tyson Foods and his experience spans business unit finance, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, international finance, and financial planning and analysis. Garrett also serves as an operating partner with Shore Capital Partners.
JOEL D. WARADY
Board Chairman and Strategic Advisor
Joel Warady most recently served as President of Catalina Snacks Inc. after developing and leading the team that grew the Catalina Crunch cereal and snack brand to over $120 million in brand sales in 5 short years. Prior to this, Joel was at Enjoy Life Foods in a Sales, Marketing, and General Manager role, experiencing18 consecutive years of growth under his guidance, achieving $100 million in North American consumption in 2019. In 2015, Joel was part of the two-person senior management team that successfully negotiated an acquisition by Mondelez International, remaining to run the business for 4 years post-acquisition. No longer involved in daily operational management, Joel is focused on lending his expertise as an advisor and board member to a select number of early-stage and mid-market companies. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Fody Foods, a leading brand in the digestive health space, and Chairman of Prevail Jerky, an allergy-friendly meat protein brand. Joel also serves as Chairman of the Maine Crisp Company, a manufacturer of Buckwheat crackers and crisps.
(moderator)
ALAN REED
Executive Director
The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
Alan Reed is the Executive Director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network, a startup, nonprofit organization that brings industry players together, provides a forum for collaboration and support, and better connects the 4,500 companies in the industry across Chicagoland to drive innovation and growth in the region. The group leverages the power of the food & beverage industry in Chicagoland to grow the industry, and the local economy.
More speakers to be announced........
We’re hosting this event in collaboration with...
