INFB has an independent streak, and so does our team!
Executive Team
National Accounts
Brenda Steele
Owner / Brand Manager for Natural Food and CBD Clients
Key Account Manager: Whole Foods National and Regional RM, SW, SoCA and PNW; Sprouts; Natural Grocers (NGVC); Pharmaca
Brenda is the owner and Brand Manager for INFB. She's worked in the natural foods industry for over two decades; from managing a small natural food store in the mid-nineties, to bookkeeping and marketing for Wild Oats, to running her own demo company, to learning the food broker business in the early 2000's, until finally deciding to open her own brokerage firm in 2008.
EMAIL: brenda.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
Phone: (303) 523-0095
Address: 8805 W 14th Ave, Suite #140, Lakewood, CO 80215
EMAIL: brenda.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
Phone: (303) 523-0095
Address: 8805 W 14th Ave, Suite #140, Lakewood, CO 80215
Sherry Erickson
Key Account Manager: Safeway Divisions SoCa, Denver, SW (AZ), Portland, Seattle
Sherry Erickson’s career began in the motion picture industry in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She worked in various capacities from Location Manager to Producer for over 20 feature
films and hundreds of commercials.
When her children’s needs began to supersede all else, she turned her attention to sales of
natural products, an industry where she would thrive. Following her strong belief in
plants as medicine and healthy living, she inserted herself into furthering the growth of
the Natural Products Industry, launching and representing some of the natural channel’s
finest brands.
Over the next fifteen years she managed a brokerage in the Rocky Mountain territory, furthering growth in the health food retail markets, as well as the mass/crossover and natural pharmacy markets. Erickson has worked as an industry consultant, formulator and international broker for natural wellness products and raw materials sourcing before moving into National Sales Management in 2017, where she currently thrives at placing
products into natural and conventional channels.
EMAIL: sherry.erickson@naturalfoodbroker.com
She worked in various capacities from Location Manager to Producer for over 20 feature
films and hundreds of commercials.
When her children’s needs began to supersede all else, she turned her attention to sales of
natural products, an industry where she would thrive. Following her strong belief in
plants as medicine and healthy living, she inserted herself into furthering the growth of
the Natural Products Industry, launching and representing some of the natural channel’s
finest brands.
Over the next fifteen years she managed a brokerage in the Rocky Mountain territory, furthering growth in the health food retail markets, as well as the mass/crossover and natural pharmacy markets. Erickson has worked as an industry consultant, formulator and international broker for natural wellness products and raw materials sourcing before moving into National Sales Management in 2017, where she currently thrives at placing
products into natural and conventional channels.
EMAIL: sherry.erickson@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Rocky Mountain
Dawn Schmidt
UT Key Acct Manager: AFS, Good Earth
Dawn grew up in the Midwest where you work hard, food is sustenance and Doctors took care of your
health. The fact that she lost both her parents to cancer at a fairly young age, as well as numerous family
and friends, prompted her, her husband of now 38 years, and their two children to move to UT in 2012.
Prior to that time, she worked for a pharmaceutical company and soon she realized the true downside
of healthcare. In February of that year she began working for Xlear/Spry where, as an Educator, she was
soon promoted to Eastern Region Sales Manager. This is where she discovered natural supplements and
that food does one of two things. It either builds your body up, or tears it down. Understanding that
diet, as well as environment were more than likely contributors to her parents early passing, it created a
need to educate others as to the importance of what we put into our bodies. From there, she became
the Western Regional Sales Manager for YouTheory and went on to become the National Sales Manager
for Sovereign Silver. At which point, Dawn’s desire to work for herself and represent multiple brands, led
to her becoming an Independent Broker in early 2021. Now, her passion to help others achieve a healthy
lifestyle results in natural growth for her accounts!
EMAIL: dawn.schmidt@naturalfoodbroker.com
health. The fact that she lost both her parents to cancer at a fairly young age, as well as numerous family
and friends, prompted her, her husband of now 38 years, and their two children to move to UT in 2012.
Prior to that time, she worked for a pharmaceutical company and soon she realized the true downside
of healthcare. In February of that year she began working for Xlear/Spry where, as an Educator, she was
soon promoted to Eastern Region Sales Manager. This is where she discovered natural supplements and
that food does one of two things. It either builds your body up, or tears it down. Understanding that
diet, as well as environment were more than likely contributors to her parents early passing, it created a
need to educate others as to the importance of what we put into our bodies. From there, she became
the Western Regional Sales Manager for YouTheory and went on to become the National Sales Manager
for Sovereign Silver. At which point, Dawn’s desire to work for herself and represent multiple brands, led
to her becoming an Independent Broker in early 2021. Now, her passion to help others achieve a healthy
lifestyle results in natural growth for her accounts!
EMAIL: dawn.schmidt@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, South West
Jen Taylor
Key Acct Manager: HERG, Reasor's, Homeland, Pruett's Uptown Grocery, GreenAcres Market, Brookshire Grocery, Vitamins Plus, Central Market, HEB, Rouse's
SW Sales Team Manager
Jen's curiosity about the natural products industry began when she was growing up in Oregon. In college, she studied health and science, which fueled her curiosity further. Personal health struggles encouraged her to dive into a natural lifestyle which included using food medicinally, healing with natural remedies/treatments, and working towards overall wellness.
Professional experience began in 2011 while managing a health food store in Wyoming. Jen spent several years as a buyer before transitioning to a broker in 2015 when she moved to Oklahoma. Natural choices came full circle in 2016 when Jen became a mother of an allergy child. This has continued to fuel her thirst for quality products.
EMAIL: Jen.taylor@naturalfoodbroker.com
Professional experience began in 2011 while managing a health food store in Wyoming. Jen spent several years as a buyer before transitioning to a broker in 2015 when she moved to Oklahoma. Natural choices came full circle in 2016 when Jen became a mother of an allergy child. This has continued to fuel her thirst for quality products.
EMAIL: Jen.taylor@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, SoCA
Gwen Hill
Key Account Manager: Mother's Market, Clark's, Jensens
SoCA Sales Team Manager
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County, Los Angeles
Gwen Hill is a sales and management professional with over 20
years of in-depth knowledge of the health /nutrition industry. A
demonstrated leader with a track record of delivering consistent
revenue streams and outperforming sales goals, Gwen is energetic,
creative, and a proven performer committed to continued
excellence.
As a strong believer in health and wellness, Gwen is passionate
about selling and promoting products that enhance your wellbeing.
EMAIL: gwen.hill@naturalfoodbroker.com
years of in-depth knowledge of the health /nutrition industry. A
demonstrated leader with a track record of delivering consistent
revenue streams and outperforming sales goals, Gwen is energetic,
creative, and a proven performer committed to continued
excellence.
As a strong believer in health and wellness, Gwen is passionate
about selling and promoting products that enhance your wellbeing.
EMAIL: gwen.hill@naturalfoodbroker.com
Brenda Steele
Key Acct Manager: Lassens, Bristol Farms, Gelson's, Lazy Acres, Erewhon, SoCA
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles, Orange County
See Bio and Picture Above
Patti Francis
Key Acct Manager: Frazier Farms, Jimbo's
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, San Diego
Patti grew up in Southern California and went to San Diego State. From there she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, She still lives in Southern California with her two dogs and Partner Brian. .Her experience includes a position as a salesperson with Halshan Raw Food where she was introduced and sparked her interest in natural products. She has also worked at Danone Speciality Sales and was awarded the Award of Excellence in 2020. Her territory included Orange County San Diego .
EMAIL: patti.francis@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: patti.francis@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Pacific Northwest
Cailee Anello
Key Acct Manager: New Seasons Markets, Market of Choice, Sherm's, C&K, PCC, Metropolitan Market, Haggen's, Yoke's, Rosauer's/Huckleberry's, ION PNW
PNW Sales Team Manager / Retail Sales Manager, OR
Cailee found natural medicine in 2013 when searching for a way to improve digestion and has dabbled in the healing arts ever since. She strongly believes that food is the greatest medicine and that organic food free of chemical additives and preservatives is a great way to nurture the body and the senses.
Cailee has mentored with some of Chicago's most respected healers and continues to do so at her new home in Portland, Oregon. She has always had a love of small businesses, which is one of her favorite parts of Portland culture. She looks forward to fostering relationships with natural food purveyors through her work with INFB.
EMAIL: cailee.anello@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Northern California
Stacey Breidenstein
Key Account Manager: Drager's, Mollie Stone's, Piazza's, Oliver's, Berkley Bowl, Nugget Market
When Stacey was eleven years old, she asked her mom to bring her to health food stores “for fun”. At age fourteen, she bought a paperback copy of Back To Eden that she still has today, kept together with duct tape. This early interest led to a lifelong study of health and wellness. A passionate cook, Stacey started her food career as a partner in a natural foods café in the mid 90’s. Years later after teaching elementary school, working in non-profit and selling cars (ALL challenging sales jobs) she began retail natural foods grocery management. Stacey has managed busy independent and chain stores, including Natural Grocers, as well as a high end specialty grocer. Stacey walks the talk when it comes to using the products she sells and is passionate about natural foods, bodycare products, and supplements. She is a functional wellness advisor and accessible yoga teacher. She lives in Salt Lake City UT with her partner Brandon, and their rescue, paddle boarding pitbull Penny.
EMAIL: stacey.breidenstein@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: stacey.breidenstein@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Midwest
Lisa Jacobs
Key Account Manager: KAM: Meiher, Jewel, Hy-Vee, Buehler's, Fairway, Busches, Coburns, Constentinos, Festival Foods, Hornbachers, Minors, Pete's, Schnuck's
Lisa Jacobs resides in the Chicagoland area and covers the Midwest.
Retailers such as Hy-Vee, Fresh Thyme, Independents, Woodmans, Albertsons, Schnucks, and Coborns, to name a few. She has 16 years of experience in the industry.
For fun, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.
EMAIL: lisa.jacobs@naturalfoodbroker.com
Retailers such as Hy-Vee, Fresh Thyme, Independents, Woodmans, Albertsons, Schnucks, and Coborns, to name a few. She has 16 years of experience in the industry.
For fun, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.
EMAIL: lisa.jacobs@naturalfoodbroker.com
INFB Sales and Rep Team
Rocky Mountain, CO
Erick Cruz
CO Retail Sales Manager
Erick has over 8 years of experience in the natural products industry. He discovered natural, nutrient dense, organic food in college and he instantly knew this was going to be a big part of his life. He eventually became a campus Food Co-op VP which lead to him get a job as a Nutrition Educator. A year later, he started working with CPG companies in the natural foods channel - it was inevitable, with all the time he spent at grocery stores admiring the endless effort and creativity of the brands on shelf! He has worked as a Brand Ambassador, Field Sales Manager, Account Executive and Inside Sales Representative with brands like R.E.B.B.L, Perfect Bar, Beckon Ice Cream, Organic Traditions and many more.
EMAIL: erick.cruz@naturalfoodbroker.com
Luane Abend
CO North Side Promo and New Item Checks, CO Office Manager / Sales Team support
Luane Abend's experience includes 20+ years in the Natural Products business, in retail management and outside sales. In her positions she has honed client management and customer service skills, with a focus on utilizing education as a means to increase sales, product awareness and brand loyalty.
Luane also enjoys container gardening, walking and hiking, reading, jewelry making and spending time with her young grandchildren.
EMAIL: luane.abend@naturalfoodbroker.com
Rocky Mountain, UT
Dawn Schmidt (see picture and bio above)
UT Retail Sales Manager
Rocky Mountain, NM
Jolene Gallegos
NM Retail Sales Manager
I have been excited about the Natural Products Industry ever since my late 20's when working at a hospital and frequenting the neighboring Health Food Store after work.. During this time I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr, which is a long term viral condition, leaving my body depleted, and run down. In time, it was suggested I meet with a holistic physician who placed me on supplements, herbs and a diet change. Within a few months, my health and wellbeing increased, and I was convinced this was working. I made a huge life change to get a job at a health Foods store. I dug into research on any, and all books about natural healing and healing food diets. I soon worked as a manager at Wild Oats and after six years, began working as a Vitamin Rep. I was hired to open territory in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with a national vitamin company and soon expanded my account, adding new lines, and started my own broker company. The broker company was a sixteen year success! While on the east coast, I attended the Natural School of Gourmet in NYC to further my education with natural foods and culinary. I have now been with INFB for seven years, (taking a short hiatus), and now back working with some amazing brands. I am passionate from head to toe, and enjoy working with buyers, learning new products and educating customers about clean, healthy living. I am excited to be back with INFB working as a Regional Sales Manager supporting the New Mexico territory accounts.
EMAIL: jolene.gallegos@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: jolene.gallegos@naturalfoodbroker.com
Rocky Mountain, KS
PENDING
KS Retail Sales Manager
Southwest Region, OK
Jen Taylor (see picture and bio above)
SW Sales Team Manager / OK Retail Sales Manager
Southwest Region, TX
Jenn Harmsen
Dallas/Ft Worth TX Retail Sales Manager
Jenn Harmsen has worked 20 years in the natural industry, in which the last 9 years she managed a health food store in Rockwall, TX.
Born and raised in Dallas, Jenn is passionate about living a healty lifestyle. Since the age of 16, she has researched nature’s healing remedies and implemented a healthy diet and alternative medicine as part of her daily routine.
Jenn and her husband have a blended family with 4 kids, which keeps them busy!
EMAIL: jenn harmsen@naturalfoodbroker.com
Born and raised in Dallas, Jenn is passionate about living a healty lifestyle. Since the age of 16, she has researched nature’s healing remedies and implemented a healthy diet and alternative medicine as part of her daily routine.
Jenn and her husband have a blended family with 4 kids, which keeps them busy!
EMAIL: jenn harmsen@naturalfoodbroker.com
Southwest Region, AR
Stacy Odorowski
AR Retail Sales Manager
My passion for the natural food industry began in NY when I was working for my aunt in her health food
store. It was there that I learned about the benefits of vitamins and eating healthy organic food. To get
away from the long winters, I moved to CO, where I worked for a large natural food retailer as a buyer,
department manager and cashier. I later became a Business Manager Assistant at a national food
brokerage creating promotional contracts, new item forms, price changes and deal sheets. I also assisted
the retail sales team by running monthly turnover reports, updating new item trackers, and adding
approved new items to the system. I received the Chairman’s award for developing a new filing system
to organize all documents on the shared drive that was used company wide. I spent a few years working
as a sales rep, selling to all natural food accounts throughout Colorado. Then I quickly moved into being
a Claims Coordinator, clearing deductions for several natural and CPG companies.
I now reside in NW Arkansas, where I enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, and antique shopping. I have 3
beautiful children and a French bulldog named Mirabel.
Email: stacy.odorowski@naturalfoodbroker.com
store. It was there that I learned about the benefits of vitamins and eating healthy organic food. To get
away from the long winters, I moved to CO, where I worked for a large natural food retailer as a buyer,
department manager and cashier. I later became a Business Manager Assistant at a national food
brokerage creating promotional contracts, new item forms, price changes and deal sheets. I also assisted
the retail sales team by running monthly turnover reports, updating new item trackers, and adding
approved new items to the system. I received the Chairman’s award for developing a new filing system
to organize all documents on the shared drive that was used company wide. I spent a few years working
as a sales rep, selling to all natural food accounts throughout Colorado. Then I quickly moved into being
a Claims Coordinator, clearing deductions for several natural and CPG companies.
I now reside in NW Arkansas, where I enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, and antique shopping. I have 3
beautiful children and a French bulldog named Mirabel.
Email: stacy.odorowski@naturalfoodbroker.com
Southern Pacific, AZ
Jodie Rivers
AZ Retail Sales Manager
I became intrigued by nutrition at a young age. I learned of the direct correlation between the foods we eat and our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. My knowledge and passion led me to study nutrition at Worcester State University where I obtained a BS in Health Science. I enjoy hiking, working out, juicing, and eating at healthy restaurants. I have worked in the natural products industry for most of my career and am excited to be a part of INFB.
EMAIL: jodie.rivers@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: jodie.rivers@naturalfoodbroker.com
Southern Pacific, SoCA
Gwen Hill (see picture and bio above)
REP: All retailers
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County, Los Angeles
Patti Francis (see picture and bio above)
REP: All retailers
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, San Diego
Pacific Northwest, OR
Pending
WA/OR Retail Sales Manager
Cailee Anello (see picture and bio above)
PNW Sales Team Manager / OR and South WA Retail Sales Manager
Adminstrative Team, NIFs and Promotional Forms
Emily Evans-Rice
Administrative Lead
National Retailer Promos & NIF Submissions: Whole Foods, Safeway, Sprouts
National Distributor Promos, NGVC, Pharmaca
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Emily is a mother, wife, marathon runner, volleyball player and avid traveler. She attended California State University Los Angeles where she graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2010.
After living in Los Angeles for five years, she returned home to Denver and took a job working in the collateral department for a large corporation.
She is now eager to learn all she can about the natural food business and is excited to work with the entire INFB team.
EMAIL: emily.evans-rice@naturalfoodbroker.com
After living in Los Angeles for five years, she returned home to Denver and took a job working in the collateral department for a large corporation.
She is now eager to learn all she can about the natural food business and is excited to work with the entire INFB team.
EMAIL: emily.evans-rice@naturalfoodbroker.com
Janessa Stevens
Accounting
SoCA Office Manager
Over the last 10 years Janessa has gained experience in the accounting/finance Industry with a vast array of clients. She was introduced to the natural food industry 3 years ago. Life changing! Two beautiful children keep Janessa busy. They enjoy a healthy home cooked meals as a family as often as possible!
EMAIL: janessa.stevens@naturalfoodbroker.com
Accounting
SoCA Office Manager
Over the last 10 years Janessa has gained experience in the accounting/finance Industry with a vast array of clients. She was introduced to the natural food industry 3 years ago. Life changing! Two beautiful children keep Janessa busy. They enjoy a healthy home cooked meals as a family as often as possible!
EMAIL: janessa.stevens@naturalfoodbroker.com
Melliessa Bayes
RM Administrative Assistant
RM Regional Retailer Promos and NIF Submissions: Harmon's, Good Earth, AFS, ION RM, Cid's
I was introduced to the natural & organic market through doing demo's for INFB's Vendors. I have learned a lot about health and caring for our planet. I find myself a convert to living a more natural life, doing my part to help the planet. I am detail oriented, experienced in data entry and enjoying working as an Admin Team Member!
EMAIL: melliessa.bayes@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: melliessa.bayes@naturalfoodbroker.com
Lindsey Rhodes
SW Administrative Assistant
SW Regional Retailer Promos and NIF Submissions: Central Market, HEB, Green Acres, Akin's (HERG), Rouse's, Reasor's, Homeland, Vitamins Plus, Pruett's/Uptown
Being born and raised in Colorado I love the mountains and enjoy spending time outdoors camping, boating and spending time with my dogs and other animals as I am an avid animal lover. I am a new mom to a handsome little boy. My husband and I love to travel and we hope to travel more in the future. A number of years ago I began seeing a chiropractor where I was introduced into healthier living and eating. I’m excited to work for this company and learn more about natural foods.
EMAIL: lindsey.rhodes@naturalfoodbroker.com
Collete Dye
SoCA/AZ Administrative Assistant
SoCA/AZ Regional Retailer Promos and NIF Submissions: Gelson's, Bristol Farms, Erewhon, Lazy Acres, Lassens, Mother's Market, Jimbo's, Clarks, Jensens, Basha's, AJ's
I lived in California for most of my life and just moved to Texas 4 years ago with my husband so
that we could be closer to our daughter and granddaughter. Now that we have another one due
in March, it couldn’t be any better!
I have been in retail for over 25 years and 2 years of that as a General Merchandise Manager.
Great customer service is always my main priority.
I am excited to be with INFB and to see what the future holds!
EMAIL: colette.dye@naturalfoodbroker.com
Em Florence
PNW Administrative Assistant: All Retailers
PNW Regional Retailer Promos and NIF Submissions: New Seasons Markets, Market of Choice, Sherm's, C&K, PCC, Metropolitan Market, Haggen's, Yoke's, Rosauer's/Huckleberry's, ION PNW
Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a certification in Nutritional Therapy, and is currently studying mineral balancing. Natural food was the biggest catalyst for dramatically improving her health, which is why it has been a passion of hers for many years now. Her hobbies include martial arts, cooking, natural health, and exploring the beautiful PNW region.
EMAIL: em.florence@naturalfoodbroker.com
Stacy Odorowski (See bio and picture above)
MW Administrative Assistant: All Retailers
MW Regional Retailer Promos and NIF Submissions: KAM: Meiher, Jewel, Hy-Vee, Buehler's, Fairway, Busches, Coburns, Constentinos, Festival Foods, Hornbachers, Minors, Pete's, Schnuck's
Adminstrative Team, Distributor Work
Lindsey Rhodes (See bio and picture above)
UNFI & KEHE: Distributor NIFs, Turnover Submissions, and UNFI Stock
Melliessa Bayes (See bio and picture above)
Client Onboarding and Data Updates, KEHE Updates and Stock Levels
Administrative Team, Internal Work
Janessa Stevens (See bio and picture above)
Accounting Department, SoCA Office Manager
Luane Abend (See bio and picture above)
CO Office Manager / Sales Team support, Demos and Sample Coordination
Hazel Allison
Vendor Letter, All Stores List, Principle Lists, Website Administrator, PA/Internal Docs
Raised in Denver by health-conscious doctors, Hazel grew up eating exclusively organic, healthy fare. As an adult, she is now rediscovering her love of good food through a new passion for baking with fresh, natural ingredients.
EMAIL: hazel.allison@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: hazel.allison@naturalfoodbroker.com
