Press Release
Food Industry Veteran Thomas Oliver Joins NEXT Proteins® Executive Team
Oliver was Major Force Behind PowerBar's Lucrative Sale to Nestle Foods
(CARLSBAD, CALIF.) - June 17, 2008 - NEXT Proteins, the number one selling* whey protein supplement company, today announced the hiring of food industry veteran Thomas Oliver as Chief Operating Officer. Oliver will oversee all aspects of the company's internal and external operations, brand philosophies and product launches.
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Thomas Oliver to our executive management team," said David Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer and founder of NEXT Proteins®. "Thomas brings a wealth of relevant food product experience to NEXT Proteins. Moreover, his natural ability to lead and grow companies along with his global experience makes him the ideal person to expand our number one selling DESIGNER WHEY™ business into new markets and distribution agreements."
"I am delighted to bring my experience in operations, leadership, brand building and proven ability to grow businesses to NEXT Proteins," commented Thomas Oliver, chief operating officer for NEXT Proteins. "I look forward to working with our internal teams and distribution, retail and production partners to make DESIGNER Whey the must-have products in the competitive nutritional supplement category."
Oliver is a veteran snack food executive with extensive experience in product development and the operations of creating successful consumers goods. Oliver served as Executive Vice President of domestic and international operations while at PowerBar. He oversaw the development and launch of four new product lines in one year; managed a new factory and distribution center that produced over a million bars a year. Oliver also headed PowerBar's company-owned subsidiaries in Canada and Germany. Additionally, he was a member of the executive team that sold PowerBar to Nestle for one of the highest multiples ever paid for a food company.
Most recently, Thomas manned the helm for seven and one half years as Chief Executive Officer of Cool Systems. Cool Systems produces an advanced injury treatment system, marketed to physical therapists, athletic trainers, and professional athletes. The company's product, Game Ready, is a powerful solution for speeding recovery, minimizing tissue damage, and reducing pain. Oliver guided the company through a multitude of issues - product set-backs, funding challenges, and the loss of the Cool Systems headquarters from a devastating fire. Oliver directed the company from a three-person start-up to a respected medical device company with 75 employees and projected 2007 revenue of $19 million (USD).
Prior to his tenure at Cool Systems, was the Vice President of global Quality Control for Dole Foods and also served as Vice President & General Manager of Dole Foods in the Philippines. Many of the initiatives he executed led to overall company savings of $130 million (USD). Oliver started in the food industry with global powerhouse Nabisco Brands, where he was a project manager and plant manager in the company's wildly successful Biscuit Division.
Thomas earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. In addition, he received his Masters of Science Degree from Troy State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Delaware and is a graduate of Stanford University's Executive Program. Additionally, after graduating from the Air Force Academy Oliver piloted some of the most advanced service aircraft of the time. He also served as a flight instructor and combat flight instructor for both propeller and supersonic fixed-winged aircrafts.
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