KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dave Kapic
Weavix
David Kapic has extensive work experience in various roles within the food and manufacturing industry. David is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Stella & Chewy's since 2022. Prior to this, they worked as the Vice President of Product-to-Market at Johnsonville from 2020 to 2022, where they were responsible for sourcing, manufacturing, and supply chain processes. Before Johnsonville, they held several positions at Schreiber Foods, including Executive Vice President and member of the C-Suite team, Board of Directors, Senior Vice President of Product Lifecycle & Strategies, Vice President of Operations, Director of Logistics and Replenishment, Director of Distribution, and Business Manager. David also gained experience at General Mills in various operations and supply chain positions. Throughout their career, Kapic has demonstrated leadership in driving strategic initiatives, implementing process improvements, and achieving cost savings.
Jake Hall
Manufacturing Millenial
Jake Hall is the Manufacturing Millennial. He talks about the latest technology in the automation and manufacturing while making it engaging for all audiences. He is an experienced sales professional with extensive knowledge building lasting business relationships across multiple accounts, designing sales strategies, and creating and accomplishing project goals. Proficiency in creating new business opportunities with existing and new accounts by leveraging key strengths and maintain customer relationships. Jake graduated from Grand Valley State University with his bachelor’s in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. He worked during college in the automation, furniture and product design industries as well as starting a company after receiving investments and winning business and pitch competitions.
Scott Whiteside
Clemson University
Dr. Whiteside has expertise in food safety, thermal food processing, food product shelf life, and food packaging. He has taught various short courses and made numerous formal presentations both domestically and internationally on a variety of topics such as; packaging fundamentals, biopolymer packaging, food packaging, thermal food processing, confectionary packaging, retort packaging, packaging design and development. He is also sought by various U.S. and International food processing and packaging companies for his knowledge of thermal processing of food products, retort pouch processing, food packaging and shelf life.
Larry McManis
ThinkWay Strategies
ThinkWay was founded by Larry McManis in 2008 after 30 years in high level strategy roles at Kraft Foods which at that time was a $45B global consumer products powerhouse. He's the pioneer and developer of ThinkWay's strategy methodology and the ThinkPoints® web app for developing strategies, aligning the organization and tracking major milestones. Larry started his career in various operations and research positions at Oscar Mayer. He advanced to positions leading major strategic initiatives at Oscar Mayer and then Kraft Foods before leading in various roles in Kraft global strategy. Besides his extensive strategic experience at Kraft Foods, Larry has helped an impressive array of clients including Mattel Toy Company, Saputo Cheese USA, Alliant Energy, Travero, Dane Manufacturing including Dantherm Cooling, Columbus Chemical Industries, KL Engineering, FIPCO (owned by Wisconsin Bankers Association), and other clients in manufacturing, transportation, financial services, furniture, as well as non-profit organizations.