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
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
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, South West
Jen Taylor
Key Acct Manager: Akin's, Reasor's, Homeland, Buy For Less, Firelake Foods, United, 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, Central Market, Fiesta, United / Market St., Brookshire Bros, Royal Blue, Safeway Southern,
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
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, SoCA
Gwen Hill
Key Account Manager: Mother's Market, Clark's, Jensens
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
Jamie MeKeown
Key Acct Manager: Erewhon
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
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, Gelson's, Lazy Acres, SoCA
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
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
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, AZ
Ted Miller
Key Acct Manager: Basha's, AJ's Fine Foods, AZ
AZ Retail Sales Manager, Tuscon
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, C&K, OR, PCC, Metropolitan Market, Haggen's, Yoke's, Rosauer's, Huckleberry's
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
Noah Steele
CO Central and Northern Retail Sales Manager
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
David Pech
CO Retail Sales Manager
A Colorado Native, Dave Pech's driving principles center around empowering others to be their best. Dave fully overcame paralysis from a car accident and went on to help others maintain/regain their physical independence. Along the road, he has developed a strong background in Public Health Administration as a Keynote Speaker for a Minnesota Governor's Summit for Seniors, an author of a portion of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a consultant to Clinton's Healthcare Reform Taskforce, and the creator, founder and owner of a precursor to "Silver Sneakers" fitness programs for Mature Adults.
Dave is excited to become part of INFB where he will continue to empower others to be their best. Living in Palmer Lake, Dave loves his God, his three children and anything outdoors (except hail).
EMAIL: david.pech@naturalfoodbroker.com
PHONE: 303-564-7131
Dave is excited to become part of INFB where he will continue to empower others to be their best. Living in Palmer Lake, Dave loves his God, his three children and anything outdoors (except hail).
EMAIL: david.pech@naturalfoodbroker.com
PHONE: 303-564-7131
Hazel Allison
Inside Sales Rep, CO and WY
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
Rocky Mountain, UT
Randy Bayes (see picture and bio above)
UT and Western WY 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
Southwest Region, OK
Jen Taylor (see picture and bio above)
SW Sales Team Manager / OK Retail Sales Manager
Southwest Region, TX
Nancy Wardlaw (see picture and bio above)
TX Retail Sales Manager, Austin
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
Jenn Harmsen
Dallas/Houston 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
Southern Pacific, SoCA
Gwen Hill (see picture and bio above)
REP: All retailers
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County, Los Angeles
Jamie McKeown (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Audrey Burton (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Patti Francis (see picture and bio above)
REP: All retailers
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, San Diego
Pacific Northwest, OR
Christina Callan
WA/OR Retail Sales Manager
Christina Grew up in Missoula Montana attended nursing school at Montana State University. She quickly realized that small business was her passion having had small businesses for 15 years while raising her daughters.
She enjoys working with independent store owners, hearing about their stories and why they choose to be entrepreneurs. She is finishing classes to attain a business degree and pursue a Masters in Business Administration.
She has always enjoyed an active and healthy lifestyle and was introduced to the business side of the Natural Food Industry a year ago where she has enjoyed learning everything from the inside out. She has a daughter that has been a vegetarian for 6 years she knows the importance of healthy eating and getting the proper nutrition your body needs to fuel itself so she enjoys learning about all of the wonderful products and benefits they bring to the consumer.
EMAIL: christina.callan@naturalfoodbroker.com
She enjoys working with independent store owners, hearing about their stories and why they choose to be entrepreneurs. She is finishing classes to attain a business degree and pursue a Masters in Business Administration.
She has always enjoyed an active and healthy lifestyle and was introduced to the business side of the Natural Food Industry a year ago where she has enjoyed learning everything from the inside out. She has a daughter that has been a vegetarian for 6 years she knows the importance of healthy eating and getting the proper nutrition your body needs to fuel itself so she enjoys learning about all of the wonderful products and benefits they bring to the consumer.
EMAIL: christina.callan@naturalfoodbroker.com
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, All Administrators
National Retailer Promos & NIF Submissions: Whole Foods, Safeway, Sprouts
National Distributor Promos
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
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
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
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
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
EMAIL: melissa.bayes@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, Turnover Submissions, and UNFI Stock
Melliessa Bayes (See bio and picture above)
KEHE Updates and Stock Levels
Administrative Team, Internal Work
Nike Vanarsdale (See bio and picture above)
Client Onboarding and Data Updates
Janessa Stevens (See bio and picture above)
Accounting Department
Luane Abend
CO Office Manager / Sales Team support, Demos and Sample Coordination
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
Josh Steele is a Design and Marketing student from Denver. He was raised to value healthy eating as a cornerstone of a healthy life. As such, he believes healthy food should be a right, accessible to all. Josh has worked on the INFB vendor newsletter for years, and designed the most recent version himself. He has worked a variety of odd jobs for INFB and proud to help with family business.
When not designing, Josh can be found hiking and camping in the Rockies or exploring Denver’s art scene with his friends.
EMAIL: josh.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
When not designing, Josh can be found hiking and camping in the Rockies or exploring Denver’s art scene with his friends.
EMAIL: josh.steele@naturalfoodbroker.com
Nik Jones
Website Administrator
It was the presence of Nik's three wonderful nieces that first led her to being more health-conscious with her dietary choices. She began researching the role of different foods in keeping the body working and started to be more selective with the foods she purchased. Now, it's very important to keep her family safe and healthy by buying fresh, natural foods.
EMAIL: nik.jones@naturalfoodbroker.com