Major Rob Dyer, founder of Noots Nutrition (maker of Ruckpack natural energy shot) of San Diego, CA, appeared on a recent edition of ABC’s The Shark Tank. Two “sharks” invested $150,000 in the brand, a 20% stake, so that the company can increase its production scale and decrease manufacturing costs.

Eric Schnell, co-founder of Steaz Teas and I AM enlightened nutrition, has launched MetaBrand, based in Edison, NJ. The firm is aimed at developing and marketing start-up and early-stage natural brands. Services include ingredient sourcing, private label, research and development, packaging design, labeling, production oversight and more.

Stephanie Volo, president of Planet Dog, based in Portland, ME, was one of 10 people named to the 2012 Mainebiz Next List as an innovative and inspiring business leader.

Karen L. Borie is now the vice president of sales at Nutiva of Richmond, CA.

In accordance with his contract, Roger Williams, M.D., will step down as CEO of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, based in Rockville, MD, on June 30, 2014. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will appoint an executive search firm and a committee by the end of this month.

Michael Smith, M.D., (a.k.a. “Dr. Mike, the country doctor with a city education”) now hosts the Healthy Talk radio program on WWNN-AM, 1470 in South Florida. The show, sponsored by Life Extension of Fort Lauderdale, FL, airs Wednesdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET and streams live on www.wwnnradio.com and www.lef.org/healthytalk. Archives will be available at www.lef.org/healthytalk.

Diamond Foods, Inc. of San Francisco, CA, announced that David J. Colo is now executive vice president of global operations and supply chain.

As it enters into the Latin American market, Frutarom Health BU, based in Switzerland, has appointed Jose Blasquez Fernandez as sales manager for Spain and Latin America.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, January 2013