“Sharrann brings an outstanding set of skills and we are so fortunate to have her on our team,” said Dave Eckert, vice president, Cognis Nutrition & Health. “She has a demonstrated record of creating and sustaining exceptional sales and profit growth for a range of businesses, particularly those in the food industry. Our customers will soon learn that along with her expertise in nearly all aspects of our business and international experience, she is a pleasure to work with.”

Most recently, Simmons was vice president and general manager of the U.S. subsidiary of CNI, Colloides Naturels International, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of acacia gum.

She holds a BS and MS degree in Food Science from Purdue University, and has also attended the Executive MBA program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Graduate Management.

Her career has included positions in research and development, marketing, technical sales and product management for leading global food and ingredient companies. Simmons was director of Food Marketing for the European region of FMC, based in Brussels, Belgium.

She is active in many professional organizations including IFT (Institute of Food Technologists), AACT (American Association of Candy Technologists), WFFC (Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce), AAPS (American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists), FMI (Food Marketing Institute) and CDMA (Commercial Development and Management Association).

In 2003, Simmons was honored by Purdue University as a Distinguished Alumni for the School of Agriculture. Purdue also selected her to receive the Outstanding Food Science Award in 2004.

From the August 13, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash