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; Lucky's Market
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
Nike Vanarsdale
Key Account Manager: Safeway Divisions SoCa, Denver, SW (AZ), Portland, Seattle
Niké has over 20 years in the natural products industry and is a seasoned manager with experience in all aspects of sales, marketing, merchandising, brand management, promotional strategy, new product introductions, and new business development. She has an in-depth knowledge of natural and organic products, standards and protocol. She has supported many emerging brands that have become icons in the natural foods industry, including; Amy’s, Udi’s, Suja, RX Bar, Orgain, Late July, Food for Life and many more. Niké has worked as a buyer, both for natural retail, at Wild Oats and conventional retail, at Schnucks Markets. Her focus has centered on natural and organic brands. She understands the processes for getting natural products on the shelf and into customers baskets. Her creativity and dedication to working with others results in growing the bottom line. Through successful analysis, she increases revenue by utilizing information from industry syndicated data streams including SPINS and IRI.
Niké has a degree in accounting and is a certified Health Coach. She lives the natural lifestyle on a small farm in Western Colorado with her Husband who is a chef and farmer. They have 2 cats and a dog and look forward to expanding the animal family at some point. With a goal of living sustainably, they grow food, herbs, fruit and flowers.
EMAIL: nike.vanarsdale@naturalfoodbroker.com
Phone: (303) 579-8383
Address: 8805 W 14th Ave, Suite #140 Lakewood, CO 80215
Niké has a degree in accounting and is a certified Health Coach. She lives the natural lifestyle on a small farm in Western Colorado with her Husband who is a chef and farmer. They have 2 cats and a dog and look forward to expanding the animal family at some point. With a goal of living sustainably, they grow food, herbs, fruit and flowers.
EMAIL: nike.vanarsdale@naturalfoodbroker.com
Phone: (303) 579-8383
Address: 8805 W 14th Ave, Suite #140 Lakewood, CO 80215
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Rocky Mountain
Randy Bayes
Key Acct Manager: Harmon's, Good Earth, AFS, UT
Utah Retail Sales Manager, Utah and Western WY
Randy has worked all sorts of positions in the Natural Food Industry, including working with INFB to open up SW division in 2011. We are thrilled to have Randy back assisting us with the UT territory!
EMAIL: randy.bayes@naturalfoodbroker.com
Pam Williams
Key Acct Manager: Green Acres
RM Retail Sales Team Manager, KS Retail Sales Manager, NE KS
I grew up in Oklahoma. Both sets of grandparents were farmers and grew veggies and my fondest childhood memories were picking fresh strawberries, blackberries and sun ripe tomatoes. I was very athletic in high school participating in track and softball and loved being outdoors. I studied Home Economics in college at Oklahoma State University and my father’s degree was in Food and Health Nutrition. He worked in hospitals and universities. I have 3 beautiful daughters and my youngest just graduated High School. I have been a Hair Stylist for over 10 years and part of my passion is helping people feel good and beautiful inside and out. I am very excited to be joining this amazing company and I am very grateful for this new opportunity to grow in this business.
EMAIL: pam.williams@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: pam.williams@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, South West
Jen Taylor
Key Acct Manager: Akin's, Reasor's, Homeland, Buy For Less, Uptown Grocers, OK
SW Sales Team Manager / OK Retail Sales 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
Nancy Wardlaw
Key Acct Manager: HEB, Royal Blue, Safeway Southern, People's Pharmacy, Wheatsville Coop, TX
TX Retail Sales Manager, Austin/San Antonio
Growing up in Texas and raised by parents that only gave their big family real food, often out of our garden, I've always had an appreciation for natural, whole ingredients. I now have added "organic", "cruelty free", "grass-fed", and other phrases to what I define as real food.
I have been in the natural health industry in the US and Canada for 15 years and I am so excited to be representing such beautiful brands! I am happy to offer stores and consumers only the best products with the highest quality ingredients!
EMAIL: nancy.wardlaw@naturalfoodbroker.com
Bryan Bootka
Key Acct Manager: Central Market, Vitamins Plus, Brookshire Grocery, Brookshire Bros, Fiesta, United/Market St, Rouses, TX/LA
TX Retail Sales Manager, Dallas/Ft. Worth
Bryan was born in Independence, MO and moved to Texas as a child, spent time in East Texas in elementary school and finished middle and high school in San Antonio. He graduated from U.T. San Antonio while beginning his natural foods career at Sun Harvest. After college and a brief stint as corporate grocery buyer he moved to Austin, where he has been for more than 20 years.
Not long after moving to Austin he met his bride-to-be and they have been married for almost 20 years. They have three children, one grandchild and enjoy working in the Sunday School Ministry at New Life Austin. During this time he went back to school at Texas State and earned a MBA.
Bryan has had various roles in the natural products industry from retail, to regional and national brokerages along with a variety of roles with brands. He is pleased to be working with our team servicing key accounts in the Dallas market.
EMAIL: bryan.bootka@naturalfoodbroker.com
Not long after moving to Austin he met his bride-to-be and they have been married for almost 20 years. They have three children, one grandchild and enjoy working in the Sunday School Ministry at New Life Austin. During this time he went back to school at Texas State and earned a MBA.
Bryan has had various roles in the natural products industry from retail, to regional and national brokerages along with a variety of roles with brands. He is pleased to be working with our team servicing key accounts in the Dallas market.
EMAIL: bryan.bootka@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, SoCA
Rachael Roberts
Key Acct Manager: Jimbo's, Baron's, Mother's Market, Jensen's, Frazier Farms, Clark's Nutrition, CA
SoCA Sales Team Manager;/SoCA Retail Sales Manager, San Diego
Rachael Roberts was born in Topeka Kansas but was raised in San Diego,CA. Growing up Rachael played competitive soccer and during high school she joined the Future Farmers of America program. She learned about the industry of agriculture, visited farms, worked in the greenhouse, raised animals, and competed in floral competitions. Rachael attended Palomar College, Mira Costa College, and she received her vet assistant certificate. Rachael has always had a passion for people, food, plants, and animals. While working at a private pet resort she learned about holistic medicine, natural cleaning products, and natural dog food. Shortly after that, she started working at INFB as the San Diego sales rep and currently manages the soCal team.
When Rachael isn't working, she spends her time with her family and dogs, enjoys growing plants and veggies, and loves going to local shops, resturants, and farmers markets!
EMAIL: rachael.roberts@naturalfoodbroker.com
When Rachael isn't working, she spends her time with her family and dogs, enjoys growing plants and veggies, and loves going to local shops, resturants, and farmers markets!
EMAIL: rachael.roberts@naturalfoodbroker.com
Jamie MeKeown
Key Acct Manager: Erewhon, CA
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County
Jamie grew up in New York, went to college in Michigan (Go Blue!) and lived in Chicago for many years before she finally realized winter is optional and moved to Southern California in 2015. She's been enjoying the warmth and sunshine in Los Angeles ever since.
During a 15 year personal and professional journey in natural health she's developed a passion for natural products and healing modalities such as yoga, ayurveda and herbal medicine. She has many years of experience as a health coach, educator and sales rep and is thrilled to see the natural products industry grow and thrive.
EMAIL: jamie.mckeown@naturalfoodbroker.com
Audrey Burton
Key Acct Manager: Lassens, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, Gelson's, CA
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Audrey has always had a healthy relationship with food. She eats to live AND lives to eat! Cooking, baking, gardening and learning about food are her hobbies. She loves to grow tomatoes!
She earned a degree in Business at Arizona State University (go Devils!). She has 2 spectacular daughters who are both currently living in NYC, building their careers.
She worked at Nestle in both specialty foods and confections, and has also worked in the pet industry. She's a people-person and a dog-person!
EMAIL: audrey.burton@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, AZ
Ted Miller
Key Acct Manager: Basha's, AJ's Fine Foods, AZ
Ted is excited to be part of a team that is intent on changing the manner that we feed ourselves and sustain our environment. He is a long-time educator, musician, and also has had a stint in the restaurant business. Ted began working for INFB in May 2016 , and has found that many of the strategies that are involved in teaching are also predominant in brokering food products.
Ted is very happy to be a part of INFB and admires the spirit and commitment to offering quality products and establishing that crucial link between vendor and buyer.
Ted was first led to natural foods growing up in Delaware and getting his fingers dirty in the family vegetable garden. His value for food and its connection to the source continued while cooking fine- dining dishes that favored freshness and locally grown ingredients over typical restaurant fare. He still keeps a garden, loves to hike, grow wildflowers and plunk on the piano.
EMAIL: ted.miller@naturalfoodbroker.com
Ted is very happy to be a part of INFB and admires the spirit and commitment to offering quality products and establishing that crucial link between vendor and buyer.
Ted was first led to natural foods growing up in Delaware and getting his fingers dirty in the family vegetable garden. His value for food and its connection to the source continued while cooking fine- dining dishes that favored freshness and locally grown ingredients over typical restaurant fare. He still keeps a garden, loves to hike, grow wildflowers and plunk on the piano.
EMAIL: ted.miller@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Pacific Northwest
Cailee Anello
Key Acct Manager: New Seasons Markets, Market of Choice, Sherm's, Shop n Kart, Chuck's Product, Zupan's, Roth's, C&K, OR
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
INFB Sales and Rep Team
Rocky Mountain, CO
Neil Dowling
RM Sales Team Manager, Rep Trainer Projects Manager
Neil's made Colorado his home for most of his life and has been working with INFB for several years. He enjoys the outdoors and nature, hiking, running, and playing basketball. He is a long-time musician and songwriter and is currently working on music projects reflecting his Christian faith.
EMAIL: neil.dowling@naturalfoodbroker.com
Britney Crawford
CO Southern Retail Sales Manager
What delights me the most about being a part of the health and wellness industry is seeing the dramatic and beneficial changes the body can make once it is properly nurtured with organic food, supplements and skin care regimens. From my time managing a supplements and cosmetics apothecary, to my experiences representing natural products lines, I have come to believe in the healing potential of the body, and that proper nutrition is the best tool we have for health.
EMAIL: brit.crawford@naturalfoodbroker.com
Noah Steele
CO Central and Northern Retail Sales
Noah is a young Colorado native who is passionate about feeding his mind and body right. After finishing his education he pursued personal training and kickboxing, followed by a career in leading the outreach team for his local public broadcast station. Leadership opportunities such as those helped him to quickly discover that he wanted to not only help his mother in her family business, but run his own business as well. Noah enjoys filling his days with self-development reading, art, and exercise. When he is not deep in a book, practicing painting, nor riding his bike, you can find him playing board games with friends and family.
EMAIL: noah.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
Rocky Mountain, UT
Randy Bayes (see picture and bio above)
UT and Western WY Retail Sales Manager
Rocky Mountain, NM
Jolene Gallegos
NM and SW CO Retail Sales Manager
Jolene comes to INFB with 25 years experience in the industry. Her journey began as a manager for Wild Oats in New Mexico, followed by vitamins and general merchandise HEB sales representative in New Mexico and Arizona. Following that, she opened territory in the East coast, mostly New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
She joined INFB after moving back to her home base of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to coming to INFB, Jolene also attended school and worked for another broker company.
EMAIL: jolene.gallegos@naturalfoodbroker.com
Rocky Mountain, KS
Pam Williams (see picture and bio above)
KS Retail Sales Manager
Southwest Region, OK
Jen Taylor (see picture and bio above)
SW Sales Team Manager / OK Retail Sales Manager
Pam Williams (see picture and bio above)
OK Retail Sales Manager
Southwest Region, TX
Nancy Wardlaw (see picture and bio above)
TX Retail Sales Manager, Austin
Bryan Bootka (see picture and bio above)
TX Retail Sales Manager, Dallas
Fatai Laja
TX Retail Sales Team Manager, Houston
Fatai has over 26 years experience in retail sales and marketing as a sales rep for manufacturers, brokers and distributors across food industry in grocery and as well as convenience stores markets.
He loves meeting new people, often attends natural foods products expos, and loves to sample various foods. In his spare time, Fatai enjoys tennis, running and sauna
EMAIL: fatai.Iaja@naturalfoodbroker.com
Southern Pacific, AZ
Ted Miller (See picture and bio above)
AZ Sales Team Manager
AZ Retail Sales Manager, Tuscon
Jodie Rivers
AZ Retail Sales Manager, Phoenix / Northern AZ
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
Rachael Roberts (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Sales Team Manager / SoCA Retail Sales Manager, San Diego
Audrey Burton (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Jamie McKeown (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Pacific Northwest, OR
Cailee Anello (see picture and bio above)
PNW Sales Team Manager / OR and South WA Retail Sales Manager
Pacific Northwest, WA
Adminstrative Team, NIFs and Promotional Forms
Emily Evans-Rice
Administrative Lead, All Administrators
National Retailer Promos & NIF Submissions: Whole Foods, Safeway, Sprouts
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
Victoria Wynn
RM Administrative Assistant: Pharmaca, NGVC, Harmon's, Good Earth
Viki is happy to be part of the team at Independent Natural Food Brokers. Her degree is in human nutrition and she has been working in the field for 20 years.
She's had her own business in nutritional demos for the past four years has deep experience in the whole foods industry. Vicki is excited about the new opportunities that lay ahead.
EMAIL: victoria.wynn@naturalfoodbroker.com
Melliessa Bayes
RM Administrative Assistant #2: CID's, ION RM, GreenAcres
SoCal Administrative Assistant: Bristol Farms, Gelson's, Lassen's, Lazy Acres
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: melissa.bayes@naturalfoodbroker.com
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: melissa.bayes@naturalfoodbroker.com
Heather Wambold
SoCal Administrative Assistant #2: Jimbo's, Mother's Market, Jensen's, Clark's, Erewhon
AZ Administrative Assistant: Basha's, AJs
Heather has worked in the natural foods industry for almost 7 years and at her previous employer was she was dubbed the product guru because she was always training her fellow employees about all the newest products in the industry and keeping up with market trends. From early on she had a passion for healthy lifestyle. She even wrote a column in her high school newspaper about the subject. Heather has personal experience with vegan and vegetarian diets and she is also interested in sustainability and philanthropy. She shares her love of the outdoors by hiking and camping with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She is excited for the opportunity to work for INFB and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
EMAIL: heather.wambold@naturalfoodbroker.com
Lindsey Rhodes
SW Administrative Assistant: All Retailers
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
SW Administrative Assistant: All Retailers
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
Em Florence
PNW Administrative Assistant: All Retailers
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
Adminstrative Team, Distributor Work
Lindsey Rhodes (See bio and picture above)
UNFI & KEHE: Distributor NIFs, Promotional Submissions and Turnovers Submissions
Heather Wambold (See bio and picture above)
UNFI Updates and Stock Levels
Melliessa Bayes (See bio and picture above)
KEHE Updates and Stock Levels
Adminstrative Team, Internal Work
Nike Vanarsdale (See bio and picture above)
Client Onboarding and Data Updates
Janessa Stevens
Bookkeeping/Client Billing/Accounting
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
Luane Abend
Demo Coordinator All Territories / Office Manager
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
Josh Steele
Vendor Newsletter
Bio Pending
EMAIL: josh.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
Bio Pending
EMAIL: josh.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com