Lunch ‘n Learn – Private Brand Development

Mike is Founder and Managing Director of Schall Consulting Group, Inc. (SCG) and has over thirty years of food industry leadership experience as a board member, CEO and operating executive. His knowledge and depth of experience spans brand marketing, manufacturing, product development and channel marketing in perishable and nonperishable foods. He has a passion for healthy food and a quality of life deeply grounded in the belief that humility and gratitude fuel people’s desire to excel. He has collaborates with the nation’s leading natural food retailer, grocery and club channel brands and scores of manufacturer-suppliers to the food and foodservice industries.

Prior leadership roles include Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales at Fresh Food Concepts, President of Sales and Marketing, Townsend’s Inc. a privately held $500M vertically integrated poultry processor, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and DSD of Wise Foods, Inc., a privately held $400 million regional snack food company, President and Chief Executive Officer of The B. Manischewitz Company, LLC, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Austin, TX based Guiltless Gourmet, Inc.

Mike has served on the boards of private and public companies including Fresh Food Concepts, Townsends Inc., Monterey Gourmet Foods (NASDAQ: PSTA) as a member of the Audit Committee and the Strategic M&A Committee from 2000 to 2008. He also served as Senior Vice President from 2007 until its acquisition by Pulmuone USA in February of 2010.

Mike founded SCG to offer business and product development, strategic marketing insights and advisory services to food companies, family offices and private equity firms with interests in food and foodservice enterprises. Mike’s balance sheet of human equity in the food industry is unparalleled, and his enthusiasm and operating experiences help businesses—from startups to billion dollar brands—innovate, renovate and grow organically as well as through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

A native of Los Angeles and the youngest of four boys, his family’s restaurant businesses taught him the value of a customer early in life—waiting tables for tips at age ten. He earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. He graduated from California State University at Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.

He is an Executive in Residence at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business and regularly mentors students to help transition them to career opportunities. He serves on the board of OnBoardNow, an organization for advancement of women in the board room and executive suites, and on several food industry advisory boards and boards of directors.

An avid runner, he enjoys cooking, reading and studying history. He and his wife Lisa reside in Marietta, Georgia; have two incredible daughters (Marisa, a teacher and Allison, a lawyer) and two granddaughters, Emily Hannah and Nora Anne

Thanks to our Sponsor

Stratas Foods support allows this Lunch’n Learn to happen.  Proceeds from Lunch Sponsorships go directly our AlamoIFt’s Scholarship fund!  Learn More.