ChromaDex Appoints Former Nestle Executive, Steve Allen, as Chairman
04 Mar 2015 --- ChromaDex Corp., an innovative natural products company that provides proprietary, ingredients and science-based solutions to the dietary supplement, food and beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, announced the appointment of Steve Allen as the Chairman of its Board. Allen, age 65, joined the Company's Board as an independent director in January 2014.
Allen retired from Nestle in December 2009 after a 30-year career in sales, marketing and general management, including seven years as a member of Nestle's Mergers and Acquisitions group. In his time at Nestle, Allen was heavily involved in the company's venture capital investments as well as out-licensing technologies. He has extensive experience in negotiating merger and acquisition deals and coordinating related due diligence. He has many years of experience handling both in- and out-licensing agreements with technology providers and branded companies.
Commenting on his appointment, Allen stated, "Having been a ChromaDex board member for the past year has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the company's management, unique business model and portfolio of patented ingredient technologies. Our reputation is exemplary and the market momentum of our NIAGEN®-patented nicotinamide riboside is robust. I am proud to accept the appointment, and look forward to leading the ChromaDex board and working with our management team to maximize shareholder value."
Frank Jaksch, Jr., CEO and co-founder of ChromaDex, commented, "Steve brings an exceptional track record to ChromaDex and is a renowned and highly respected figure within our industry. His tremendous insight, experience and stature will be a great asset to our Board and management team. Simply put, Steve's appointment as Chairman is a coup for ChromaDex and its shareholders."
Allen is co-founder and Screening Committee Chair of the Nutrition Capital Network, a business that brings together entrepreneurs and investors in the nutrition and food industries. Many major global food and beverage companies including Coca-Cola, Unilever, General Mills, PepsiCo, Campbell's, Amway, Hershey's and Nestle are cornerstone investors in Nutrition Capital Network and attend the network's triannual meetings, where exciting new investment and partnering opportunities are presented.
Allen is the Managing Partner of California Agricultural Orchards LLC, which owns almond properties in the Central Valley of California. He is also President of the Board of the North American Foundation for the University of Leeds, where he obtained a B.Sc. with Honors.
ChromaDex also announced the resignation of Barry Honig and Michael Brauser from its board. The board now has seven members, the majority of whom are independent.
Mr. Jaksch commented, "We would like to thank Barry and Michael for the enormous contributions they have made during their long-standing board tenures. By reducing the number of directors to seven, it allows for additional new appointments that can bring even more relevant experience and industry stature to our board."
