Bruce Axtman is the president and chief executive officer of the Perishables Group, a national consulting firm specializing in marketing strategies for perishable food items. Bruce created the Perishables Group in 2000 by spinning off the perishables consulting practice he created while he was a partner at Willard Bishop Consulting, Ltd. The company has since expanded its offerings to include consumer and trade research, syndicated data, category development software and programs as well as marketing communications services.
Bruce provides a fresh perspective for the industry, guiding Perishables Group clients in the move away from the traditional "commodity" business model toward a new consumer-driven marketing model. Bruce's strategic vision has reinforced the Perishables Group's reputation as a leader in marketing innovation. Bruce works with many of the top supermarket retailers in the country as well as the leading perishables industry suppliers. He is often asked to share his integrated go-to-market approach at industry events such as Food Marketing Institute, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Produce Association, Florida Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and the International Fresh Cut Produce Association.
Bruce holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Washington.
As executive vice president for the Perishables Group, Steve Lutz helps organizations develop innovative growth strategies for the future. He has worked for more than 25 years in all areas of marketing and management. As a well-respected industry leader, Steve has been a featured speaker at Produce Marketing Association, Food Marketing Institute, Canadian Produce Marketing Association and other meetings throughout the world.
Steve served as president and CEO of the Washington Apple Commission, the largest fresh produce commodity commission in the nation, until June 2000. His work challenging the industry to deliver consumer satisfaction caught the eye of the Los Angeles Times, which called him "an unlikely revolutionary. The Packer named Steve "Apple Marketer of the Year" in August 2000 for his leadership and vision.
Prior to joining the Washington Apple Commission, Steve worked for Nutri-System as well as an advertising agency where he led several national accounts including Westin Hotels, K2 Ski Company and the Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest Wineries.
Steve holds an MBA from City University of Seattle and a bachelor's degree in advertising from Washington State University. He also completed the marketing management graduate program at Stanford University.
Sherry’s primary areas of focus are developing innovative category development techniques for clients in the fresh food industry, as well as new product development - from conception through execution and launch. Sherry manages the Perishables Group supplier client base and account team. Through targeted strategic planning and market research efforts, Sherry ensures PG programs deliver actionable insights to guide critical business decisions.
Sherry frequently shares consumer and industry insights and opportunities at national and international industry events, including the Food Marketing Institute and INFOFISH.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group in 2002, Sherry served as vice president of Fleishman-Hillard, a marketing communications organization. Her specialty was marketing campaigns and new product launches for national accounts such as Welch’s, Hallmark, Monsanto, Farmland National Beef and McDonalds. Her work included the national launch of the Maya Angelou Life Mosaic from Hallmark program. Her previous experience also involved international work with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (Vienna, Austria) and Emile Voarick Vineyards (Dijon, France).
Sherry holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness/agricultural journalism from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Brian Allen joined the Perishables Group as the retail data programs manager in October 2009. With extensive experience in Web-based technology and reporting, Brian’s primary role focuses on the management of core client deliverables, client databases and quality improvement for Perishables Group retail supermarket clients.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Brian worked at Textron, Inc., an international multi-industry company, as manager of HR data strategy and reporting – information systems. Brian gained additional professional experience at Illinois-based companies Ameritech/SBC, First USA and Warner Electric.
With more than 20 years of experience in IT management and user support, Brian provides Perishables Group retail clients an added tier of value. He is a graduate of the Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin, where he earned a bachelor of science in management.
As a director of account management for the Perishables Group, Jonna Parker channels expertise in market research, data analysis and retail testing into successful category management programs for clients across the fresh departments.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Jonna was a client service manager with PromoWorks, a retail promotion company, where she specialized in developing in-store demonstration programs for consumer packaged goods clients, most notably helping launch the Walmart Diabetes Day and Healthy Heart programs. Prior to PromoWorks, Jonna provided research analysis and consumer promotion creation and execution as a marketing manager at Entertainment Marketing, Inc., an experiential marketing agency.
Jonna graduated from Bradley University.
Jana brings to the Perishables Group a strong background in client services with six years in management consulting.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Jana was a manager at Charter Consulting. At Charter, Jana managed client engagements across a variety of industries, focusing on project management, analysis and research, and business process redesign. Data analytics has been key to many of Jana's prior work engagements, including competitive and market analysis, segmentation and business case development. Prior to Charter, Jana was at Cap Gemini, focusing on vertical supply chain management.
Jana graduated from Southern Methodist University.
As an account manager with the Perishables Group, Jennifer's role is to develop successful category management programs specializing in meat, deli and produce clients. Jennifer has managed a wide variety of products including, but not limited to, a comprehensive research project across key produce commodities to understand current and future trends, an in-depth study of organic produce feasibility, designing database programs, consumer research around new product development, and in-store testing of display design driven by consumer research.
Jennifer joined the Perishables Group with experience in the financial industry. Prior to joining the Perishables group, Jennifer was at AAM Company where she managed fixed income assets for insurance company clients. She honed her client management skills through reporting, monitoring and analyzing portfolios.
Jen holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts with a concentration in marketing from Columbia College and a master's degree in integrated marketing communications form Loyola University Graduate School of Business.
Paisley joined the Perishables Group with experience in client service and data analysis.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Paisley provided data analysis and sales support at Barton Beers, Ltd., an import and marketing company for premium alcoholic beverages. Prior to Barton Beers, Paisley managed client relationships and executed field marketing programs at KBA Marketing, and experiential marketing agency.
Paisley graduated from the University of Dayton.
Amy brings 12 years experience in marketing and data analysis to her position as account manager.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Amy worked for Stemilt Growers, a leading tree fruit supplier, as part of the business analysis team. Prior to Stemilt, Amy worked for the Washington Apple Commission as a marketing analyst and part of the original category management program. Because of her extensive experience with suppliers and organizations in and around Washington, Amy's efforts are focused on produce clients located on the West Coast.
Amy holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Washington State University.
Tracy Kreuser is a project manager working primarily in the deli and bakery segments of the fresh sector. Before she joined the Perishables Group, Tracy gained financial industry experience working at Northwestern Mutual. She also served as the director of marketing at the David Barnett Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tracy's extensive knowledge and analytic thinking in relation has enabled her to manage a variety of projects within each fresh departments, adding a high level of value and insight to all client deliverables.
Tracy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's degree in marketing.
As a project manager, Kim brings several years of client services experience as both an account manager and as a consultant. Kim's efforts are focused on the deli and bakery departments, where she supports clients in defining business opportunities and using data and analysis to capitalize on those opportunities.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group team, Kim worked as a placement consultant at the Larko Group. In this role, Kim managed the firm’s two largest accounts in company history and over $3 million in business annually.
Kim started her career as an account manager for Access One, Inc. and was promoted to develop and manage the sales support team where she and her team provided support to the nationwide sales force. She participated in agent trade shows and collaborated with senior management to analyze overall company policy, increase productivity and grow revenue.
Kim is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
As a project manager, Carolyn supports clients primarily in the produce and meat departments. With expertise in data analysis, market research and retail testing, Carolyn, who excels in organization and attention to detail, has a well-rounded scope of knowledge about the fresh food industry. Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Carolyn gained financial experience at Smith Barney.
Carolyn graduated from Loyola College in Maryland with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in economics.
Monika works onsite at Sara Lee as part of the Perishables Group account services team. She fields requests from the Sara Lee team on a daily basis, and allows the company to remain one of the leading national brands in the deli and bakery departments. Before coming to the Perishables Group, Monika worked in AIG client services/underwriting.
Monika holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Rutgers University and an MBA with a marketing concentration from Loyola University in Chicago.
As a project analyst, Chris has a fresh perspective on the ever-changing methods inherent in the market research business. He excels in looking at the whole picture of a business and being able to make actionable recommendations for clients.
Chris developed strong research and client services abilities at the NPD Group where he worked in consumer research, product management and data operations for several major brands and manufacturers in the food and beverage industry.
Chris graduated from Northwestern University.
Kelly works onsite at a leading deli supplier as part of the Perishables Group account services team. As an onsite analyst, Kelly develops deeper consultative relationships with the client team, and helps them address business issues and opportunities as they arise. She fields data and analysis requests from the client on a daily basis, allowing the company to remain one of the leading national brands in the deli department.
Kelly came to PG with a strong background in analysis and onsite support. Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Kelly worked as an onsite Strategic Client Analyst at Best Buy Corporation where she partnered with merchandise buyers and outside vendors to manage and develop their businesses.
Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the College of St. Benedict.
Stephanie joined the Perishables Group with market research and analytical experience specifially related to manufacturers. She dedicates much of her time to assessing the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable categories and determining room for opportunity within the relatively new produce department staples.
Prior to joining PG, Stephanie was an asssociate client manager for Nielsen. In this role, she worked with clients to strategically guide their businesses based on relevant consumer insights. Stephanie also polished her marketing, data analysis and client relation skills.
Stephanie graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's degree in marketing and international business. She is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.
Monica joined the Perishables Group with seven years of experience in customer service and marketing. Her strong work ethic allows her to juggle various client spanning every fresh department.
Monica developed her analytical and client skills prior to joining the Perishables Group while with the Success for All Foundation, where she worked with the marketing department to help customers fit their needs through the Foundation's programs and services.
Monica graduated from Philadelphia University with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in international business.
Jessica Lew is an assistant account manager working with supplier clients within the deli and fresh meat industries. She brings data analysis and interpersonal skills from previous experiences at North Lawndale College Prep High School, Millward Brown and Pepperidge Farm.
Jessica graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in marketing.
Sarah joined the Perishables Group as a Retail Program Coordinator with experience in category management from both sides of the retail store. Within a year, her exceptional client management skills enabled her to excel to Retail Program Manager.
Prior to joining Perishables Group, Sarah was in operational management with The Kroger Company, as a Grocery/Drug GM Coordinator. Her role dealt exclusively with category managers and executive staff in the implementation of effective merchandising and operational plans.
Sarah graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Lisa joined the Perishables Group with extensive experience in the grocery industry, having worked as director of category management for Advantage Sales & Marketing, as well as on-site at Nielsen as an account manager. Her past experience includes category management support, where she excelled at providing category insights across various departments and categories, managing client accounts and gaining proficiency in various technologies.
As a retail program coordinator, Lisa provides client support on-site at a leading regional retail chain.
Jamie joins the Perishables Group with marketing experience, creating advertisements and working with clients to meet their promotional needs.
Prior to joining the Perishable Group, Jamie worked as a marketing coordinator for Pete Tacheny Roofing & Siding, Inc., where she helped establish a marketing program for the start-up company. Before Pete Tacheny Roofing & Siding, Jamie supported the sales team and account managers at a retail marketing firm as a marketing support specialist for Target.
As a retail program coordinator, James offers a fresh, creative approach and a strong analytical background. He works with retail clients across the various perishables departments to provide expertise in analysis, category reviews and timely delivery of ad hoc projects. James also takes a leadership role on special product development projects for the retail programs team.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, James developed his data analysis skills at St. Louis University and his customer experience at U.S. Bank. With a bachelor's degree in philosophy, James adds an outside-the-box approach, providing creative solutions to client needs.
James graduated from St. Louis University with a master of business administration with a focus on marketing.
Heather joins the Perishables Group with experience in data analysis and category management.
Prior to joining the Perishables Group, Heather offered category management strategies for clients at Acosta Sales and Marketing and managed the custom research department at Javelin Strategies & Research where she assisted clients in defining their overall research objectives and identifying actionable results from the data.
Heather graduated from Monterey Institute of International Studies with a master of business administration and a focus on marketing.
As an assistant retail program coordinator, Kim provides maintenance, execution and client support to the retail programs team.
Kim joined the Perishables Group with nine years experience as a human resources specialist at Arthur Anderson, LLP. Her role encompassed the full spectrum of human resource functions such as recruiting, performance management, compensation and employee relations.
Kim has a bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis in human resources from Eastern Illinois University.
Jenny joins the Perishables Group team as a retail program assistant coordinator, in which she works onsite at SUPERVALU, Inc. to assist the retail program coordinators in developing category business plans and pulling data requests, among other aspects of the program.
Jenny graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in business management and certificates in information systems and leadership.