Headquartered in Denver, INFB proudly shares Colorado with Maroon Bells, the most photographed mountain in the world.
Photo courtesy of Denise Stelzriede.
Photo courtesy of Denise Stelzriede.
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); Safeway Denver, Safeway SoCA, United; 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: 612 Washington St., #121, Denver, CO 80203
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, Rocky Mountain
Alison Smith
Key Acct Manager: Green Acres, KS
RM Sales Team Manager / KS Retail Sales Manager, NE KS
Alison received a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies (Policy) from the University of Kansas. She served as the Executive Director of the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, a broad-based public / private partnership watershed organization focused on cultural and natural resource conservation in the Kansas (Kaw) River watershed. Alison developed the Kansas StreamLink program, the state volunteer water quality monitoring program, as well as helped design and implement community-based environmental ed outreach for partner non-profits including Audubon of Kansas and the Kansas Native Plants Society. She helped pioneer Kansas' current Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy and won grant awards from EPA, Ks Dept Health & Env., National Fish & Wildlife Service, and Ks Dept Fish & Wildlife, among others. A family illness took her back to her farming roots and her focus shifted to raising chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, and turkeys. She created a 5-acre oasis of vertically integrated food production systems and peer mentored many, many aspiring backyard flock owners. Alison’s work with INFB is an exciting new chapter on organizing and empowering people to make everyday choices that meaningfully impact our world. She enjoys writing, cooking, and gardening at her 100-year-old home in North Lawrence, KS.
EMAIL: alison.smith@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: alison.smith@naturalfoodbroker.com
Randy Bayes
Key Acct Manager: Harmon's and Good Earth, 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, 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
Fatai Laja
Key Acct Manager: Fiesta Markets, TX & Rouse's, LA
SW Retail Sales 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
Virginia Stephens
Key Acct Manager: HEB, Central Market, Brookshire's, Royal Blue, TX
TX Retail Sales Manager, Austin
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I started in the restaurant industry when I was fifteen, serving and prepping food. That's what started my passion for food and people. I moved to Northern Virginia when I was about 23 years old. I got tired of the Minnesota winters and wanted a change. I lived there for about six years where I continued my restaurant career. I have done every position in restaurants. I started managing a store when I was twenty-five. I met my husband there and we decided to move to Austin, Texas. Moved here around thirty years old and now we have two kids, one boy and girl. My total time in the restaurant industry was about seventeen years. I have been a stay at home mom for the most part the last five years, doing some transcribing on the side. I love to cook and try new ingredients and new recipes. I also love wine and entertaining friends. My kids are finally both in school so this is a chance to get back to working and get back in the food industry and meet new people again.
EMAIL: virginia.stephens@naturalfoodbroker.com
EMAIL: virginia.stephens@naturalfoodbroker.com
Executive Team
Regional Accounts, SoCA
Rachael Roberts
Key Acct Manager: Jimbo's, Baron's, Erewhon, Jenson's, Element Foods
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
Carlene Dempster
Key Acct Manager: Mother's Markets, Major Markets, Fraiser Farms, Clark's Nutrition
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County
Carlene is passionate about Natural Health and Natural Foods. Outside of the natural world, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, being with friends, and traveling to fun places.
Her goal is to help create a path for new and established companies to bring their products into mainstream markets so people can enjoy them and be healthy. She enjoys what she does to make the world a healthier place to live for all people, and especially children.
EMAIL: carlene.dempster@naturalfoodbroker.com
Audrey Burton
Key Acct Manager: Lassens, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, Gelson's, Mrs. Winston's
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, Pacific Northwest
Cailee Anello
Key Acct Manager: New Seasons Markets, Market of Choice, 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
Luane Abend
CO Northern Retail Sales 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
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
Cindy Smith
CO Western Retail Sales Manager
Cindy’s interest in alternative foods began in Tokyo during the 1970’s with an early introduction
to tempeh, tofu and kombu. She began her career in ‘93 west of Chicago as a cashier in a store
called Soup to Nuts. Three years later as Store Manager, she followed this with positions in Ft
Myers at Ada’s and at Walnut Acres in Purchasing and Product Development, and in Sedona as
Food Service Manager. In 2002 she moved to Colorado and worked at the Boulder Wild Oats
and in distribution as a Category Manager. In addition, she spent 10 years at UNFI as an
Territory Manager and Key Account Manager.
Her first career comprised of a decade spent breeding and training hunter/jumper and dressage
horses and managing horse farms in FL and IL. You may find her around any local equine
event, concert or comedy club.
EMAIL: cindy.smith@naturalfoodbroker.com
to tempeh, tofu and kombu. She began her career in ‘93 west of Chicago as a cashier in a store
called Soup to Nuts. Three years later as Store Manager, she followed this with positions in Ft
Myers at Ada’s and at Walnut Acres in Purchasing and Product Development, and in Sedona as
Food Service Manager. In 2002 she moved to Colorado and worked at the Boulder Wild Oats
and in distribution as a Category Manager. In addition, she spent 10 years at UNFI as an
Territory Manager and Key Account Manager.
Her first career comprised of a decade spent breeding and training hunter/jumper and dressage
horses and managing horse farms in FL and IL. You may find her around any local equine
event, concert or comedy club.
EMAIL: cindy.smith@naturalfoodbroker.com
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
Alison Smith (see picture and bio above)
RM Sales Team Manager / KS Retail Sales Manager, NE Kansas
Southwest Region, TX
Doug Lindsay
TX Retail Sales Manager, Dallas / Fort Worth
Doug Lindsay has been in Natural and Organic sales since January 2001. After one year doing inside sales of produce and perishables at Boulder Fruit Express, which became part of the Albert's family, he was recruited to work for United Sales and Service in their first month of operations an outside sales representative. Doug was responsible for the Colorado Mountains, different segments of the Colorado Front Range and at different times New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah as well. He is familiar with many lines and "players" in the industry. In July 2018 Doug, a native Texan, relocated to Texas from Colorado when a position became available in the Houston area to manage Eastern Texas and Louisiana.
EMAIL: pending
Fatai Laja (see picture and bio above)
TX Retail Sales Manager, Houston
Virginia Stephens (see picture and bio above)
TX Retail Sales Manager, Austin / San Antonio
Southwest Region, OK
Jen Taylor (see picture and bio above)
SW Sales Team Manager / OK Retail Sales Manager
Pam Williams
OK Retail Sales Manager
My name is Pam Williams and I grew up in Oklahoma. Both set of grandparents were farmers and grew veggies and my fondest childhood memories were picking fresh strawberries and 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
Southwest Region, LA
Fatai Laja (see picture and bio above)
Southern Pacific, AZ
Ted Miller
AZ Retail Sales Manager, Tucson / Northern 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
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
Carlene Dempster (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Orange County
Audrey Burton (see picture and bio above)
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, West Los Angeles
Jamie McKeown
SoCA Retail Sales Manager, Central Los Angeles
Bio Pending
EMAIL: jamie.mckeown@naturalfoodbroker.com
Pacific Northwest, OR
Cailee Anello (see picture and bio above)
PNW Sales Team Manager / OR and South WA Retail Sales Manager
Pacific Northwest, WA
Pending
WA Retail Sales Manager
Adminstrative Team
Emily Evans-Rice
Administrative Lead / National Retailer Submissions
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 Regional Administrative Assistant
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
Lynsie Griffith
SoCA/AZ Regional Administrative Assistant
SW Regional Administrative Assistant
Lynsie was born and raised in the Seattle area and relocated to Texas last year. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.A. in Communications and minor in Sociology. She has three years of contract and marketing experience within the grocery and natural channels. In her free time, you can find her out and about with a camera in hand and her dog close by. She’s excited to continue working in the food industry and happy to be part of the INFB team!
Em Florence
PNW Regional Administrative Assistant /Client Intake Administrator
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
Luane Abend
Demo Coordinator
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
Heather Wambold
I.T. Administrator / Client Intake Administrator
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
Melliessa Bayes
Administrative Assistant to Admin Team
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
Lindsey Rhodes
Administrative Assistant to Retail Sales Management Team, Distributor Admin
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
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
Janessa Stevens
Bookkeeping/Billing/Accounting
Bio pending
EMAIL: janessa.stevens@naturalfoodbroker.com
Bio pending
EMAIL: janessa.stevens@naturalfoodbroker.com
Pending
Representative Trainer/Special Projects
Bio pending
EMAIL: pending
Bio pending
EMAIL: pending