Ralph L. R. Bietz PhD, MBA, BS ChemEng., Diploma

Experience

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  Seagram´s

  Jan 1976 - Jan 1977

  Operations Engineer / Distillery, Fermentation, and Recovery Shift Supervison

  Operations Engineer and Shift Supervisor at world's largest distillery. Oversee yeast seed and lactobacillis pilot fermentation, main floor fermentation, distillation,utility operations, and recovery operations on shift. 1400 employees and 13 unions at this world class site. Start-up distillery from annual maintenance major shutdown. Created innovative controls system improving profit $250K / yr. Mentor was the head distiller for Seagram's Jack Ptyleski overseeing the production of 1 million proof gallons per day as Seagram's Master Distiller. One of two Operations Engineers to never loose a fermentation on their watch. (The other was the Master Distiller, himself). Troubleshoot distillery operations as required to keep continuous processes running 24/7. Run quality checks on grain, water, steam, other ingredients, and distillates. Show less

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  Novo Nordisk A/S

  Jan 1978 - Jan 1981

  Mgr. Enzyme Production Fermentation, Recovery, & Distribution/USA Liaison to Copenhagen Denmark HQ

  One of 4 Americans hired to create a grass roots start-up complex for Novo's first North American venture in the Raleigh North Carolina area. (Franklinton, NC) Work with Danish construction engineers to construct, commission, start-up, and optimize fermentation, recovery, and warehousing facilities for the production of commercial enzymes such as ; Aspergillus niger for amyloglucosidase production, and Bacillus licheniformis heat stable alpha-amylase enzymes in various concentrations and purities. Liaison to Novo A/S Copenhagen, Denmark Global Headquarters, and Central Research.Researched, developed, wrote, and taught new grass root start-up employees from other industries fundamentals required for biotech & chemical industries.Responsible for several facility expansions, engineering, and technology transfers from central research in Copenhagen and Bagsvaerd Denmark to North America. Improved alpha-amylase enzyme fermentation yield 500% +Implemented and improved Bacillis licheniformis amylase production yield 500% with no additional incremental raw material cost. Improved amyloglucosidase enzyme fermentation yield from Aspergillus niger yield 10%. Requested to present this global improvement yielding millions of dollars in profit to the Novo A/S Copenhagen Board of Directors as a special presentation on this break through and pending its global implementation. Process adopted by Novo A/S at all plants globally as the new standard.Developed 3 dimensional graphing techniques to analyze cell culture key parameters leading to cell culture performance as the biomass scales up from dona flask to seed fermentation to full scale production fermentation. Completed formal Novo Danish management program & orientation. (Denmark & USA)Promoted to General Manager of the Complex reporting to President: Americas. Show less

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  Hoechst AG

  Nov 1981 - Jan 1984

  Director: Fermentation Plant, Pilot Plant, High Purification Labs / Liaison to Germany HQ

  Responsible for the technical transfers from the parent company headquarters in Frankfurt, Hoechst AG, Pharma Group. Liaison to Frankfurt headquarters. Rebuilt a fermentation plant from one that did not start up, requested significant capital from the president of Hoechst, Dr. Gaeris & Hoechst Frankfurt liaison Dr. Sukatsch, to rebuild the plant, commission, secure sterility & start up, and optimize the newly rebuilt facility in 6 months. Responsible in North America for the pilot plant, high protein purification labs, and production facilities supporting the manufacturing of DNA, enzymes, antibiotics, and proteins such as glycerokinase via E. coli & Rhizopus arrhizus lipases, Immunoproteins such as Staphylococcus biohazard level 3 for Immunoprotein IgA, specialty proteins such as collagen, bioactives for medical diagnostic test kits, bulk antibiotics such as Streptomyces Valinomycin, and other chemicals as required. Cholesterol esterase production and optimization for Trig SVR medical test kits. Responsible for the commercial development of scale up of fermentation and recovery processes for the genetically engineered e. coli to mass produce DNA in a new and novel process for Burroughs Wellcome on behalf of Hoechst AG.Responsible for custom fermentation scale up and recovery processes development for a GMO organism for proprietary chemical production for Syntro Corporation on behalf of Hoechst AG. Rebuilt High purification labs using HLPC, electrophoresis, photomicroscopy, chemical separations, octyl sepharose gels, gel and paper chromatography, pH, lyophilization, and many other lab techniques. Improved enzyme purity reducing kit false positives.Significantly improved culture collection consistency and reliability in conjunction with the head of microbiology R&D.Rebuilt this venture acquisition for Hoechst in 3.5 years from a acquired faltering biotech company with severe technical issues and financial issues... to a profitable division, Show less

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  The NutraSweet Company

  Jan 1984 - Jan 1996

  Business Unit Management and Development for the newly acquired Kelco business as it applied to The Coca-Cola Company Global Account Management. Business unti management for creating a new business, including; Sales, Networking, Contracts, New Products, Technical transfers, Marketing, and New Technology. Review all newly acquired fermentation products from Kelco and develop new grass roots business with The Coca-Cola Company globally.Responsible for negotiating the largest single sale of a Kelco product to date concerning the new application of hydro-colloids to the beverage industry globally. (Primary focus initially was the USA and Canada market). The development of the new application was in cooperation with the TCCC Global R&D VP. This development redefined the "Slushy" & "Icy" industry. The hydro-colloid development also replaced a formula component that was under indefinite trade restrictions due to USA relations breakdown with Sudan. Show less Business Unit Management working with the VP of Sales & Marketing for the Coca-Cola Business Unit. Global product launches on a per country basisResearched, developed, test marketed, and launched TPM: Total Product Management Program for 22 major countries and 9 languages. TPM was my MBA research ad thesis at Emory University for my MBA. TPM went on to be copyrighted by The Coca-Cola Company as a proprietary operating system for managing soft drinks and perishable beverages saving the company millions of dollars. TPM was copyrighted by the Monsanto Company also for NutraSweet. And, all other copyrights were awarded to Ralph Bietz for all other industries. The Sr. Director of Technical also supported Global Sales & Marketing business and product launches as necessary...traveling the world as needed on a per country basis. i.e. Launch of Diet Coke in Brazil, and Argentina and attending all promotions in support of the launch. Consultant to Swire Coca-Cola, Salt Lake City, UT on behalf of The NutraSweet Company & The Coca-Cola Company for Process Engineering and Formulation expertise...Consultant to Michigan Coca-Cola group for Business expertise and Technical expertise on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company and The NutraSweet Company...Consultant to Coca-Cola Canada on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company & The NutraSweet Company...Consultant to Coca-Cola Philadelphis on behalf of NutraSweet Show less Responsible for managing the world's largest GMO fermentation and recovery facility for the amino acid, L-phenylalanine, production. In addition, responsible for the 2 large organic synthesis chemical plants at the complex converting the amino acids into NutraSweet/aspartame, and the GMO pilot plant, microbiology labs, analytical labs, and development labs, the worlds largest anaerobic & aerobic digesters at this time, and site boiler & utility plants, and support facilities. 450 people plus, $250,000,000 USD in capital, researching & producing 70% of the world's aspartame production.($700,000,000. USD). Start-up success documented in the award winning book; "Sweet Success" by Dr. Joseph McCann. Responsible for setting new records for L-Phenylalanine production. Increasing yields while reducing costs. Received corporate awards for record production and optimization. Responsible for discovering new optimal fermentation parameters and efficiency with GMO E. coli for the production of L-Phenylalanine in the world's largest state of the art facility at this time. Responsible for discovering new types of L-Phenylalnine crystal structures . These new crystalline structures led to the optimization of the fermentation recovery section of the facility creating new record yields and unit operation process flow rates never before realized. World class production parameters stood for 7 years before they were improved upon. Responsible for the commissioning, start-up, and optimization of the world's largest GMO Fermentation and recovery manufacturing complex. Show less

  • Director/Business Unit Manager: Kelco Fermentation Product Business-The Coca-Cola Company

    Jan 1994 - Jan 1996

  • Sr. Director: NutraSweet: The Coca-Cola Company Business:Technology & New Product Development

    Jan 1989 - Jan 1996

  • General Mgr./Officer: G.D. Searle NutraSweet Multiplant Site: Fermentation, Recovery, Org. Synthesis

    Jan 1984 - Jan 1989
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  The Coca-Cola Company

  Jan 1996 - Jan 2001

  Responsible for Process Engineering, Quality Assurance, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Vendor Audit & approval ( in conjunction with Corporate Global Procurement & Trading group), and responsible for New Product Development for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for the Concentrate Business. Lived in Dublin Ireland for 2 years. Key Exec. in SAP installation for Ireland and France Operations, Liaison to Corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Global COO and Global CTO. Liaison to European Officer for Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for all The Coca-Cola Company business in Europe. Show less

  • Sr. Director: Operations & Business Plan Review

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  • Sr. Director: European-African Concentrate Operations & Business / European Liaison to USA HQ

    Jan 1998 - Jan 2000

  • Director & Liaison: Latin American Operations:

    Jan 1996 - Jan 1998
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  PepsiCo

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member: PepsiCo's Columbia Beverage Co.

  Increased sales from 18 million cases and falling annually... to 26 million cases and consistently growing annually. Significantly improved employee relations! 100% Recovery of 11 Million in AR's overdue. Repaired all commercial bank covenants in 16 months. Significantly improved quality of products winning a PepsiCo Gold Standard award. Negotiated and was awarded SoBe manufacturing contracts with PepsiCo corporate. Improved quality from poor PepsiCo ratings to winning thee major quality awards from PepsiCo including 2 Gold Standard Awards and One President's Award. Changed the company culture 180 degrees and repairing employee relations, and averted an employee relations crisis. Met with all Employees quarterly.Significantly improved hot fill efficiency with line parameter adjustments. Significantly improved downtime on high speed can lines through working with senior operators and warehouse employees on operational and supplier issues.Significantly improved financial management, improved COGS, and negotiated time to repair all banking covenants and repaired all banking relationships in 16 months with Bank of America. Covenants completely repaired in 2 years. Established excellent commercial banking relationships. Created and led the sales program to create new volume, negotiated and won private label bids, brand labels bids, military contracts, and international contracts for production volume.Repaired all bank covenants in 2 years concerning bad debt, and recovered 100% outstanding AR's of over $11,000,000.00Bottom line: Took company from pending closure by PepsiCo corporate to an attractive merger and acquisition candidate for PepsiCo/Pepsi Bottling corporation. Completed M&A strategy in 2005 and existed firm. Show less

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  Crystal Cascade Beverage LLC

  Jan 2002 - now

  Founder, Board Member

  2002 - 2015 Founder, President & COO, Board Member, and Share-holder Crystal Cascade LLC. Bottled water company whose conglomerate members cover a 9 state territory.2015 Founder, Board Member, and Shareholder. Responsible for Private Investor Stock placement, and all company functions to manage and grow the venture.

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  Crystal Cascade Beverage Company

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2005

  Co-Founder, President & Chief Operating Officer (COO), Board Member

  Venture... Founded this grass roots company and developed a business over a 9 state region. Responsible for Private placement of stock accomplished by personal meetings with publicly traded companies executives and private family owned firms as potential owners of this venture. Designed and produced consumer products from concept to commercial retail distribution including brand design.

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  BioRev, LLC

  Jan 2005 - now

  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder

  Global C-Suite Mgt., CEO, CFO, COO, Global Liaison, ReBuilds, Ventures, Executive Coach/Mentor/Consultant, BioRev® Products & ServicesAuthor: The DNA of Business*Coach & Mentor: Mentor to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II: Queens Young Leadership Program (9 Gold Medal Winners),1st Legacy Mentor to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II: The Commonwealth*Univ. of Cambridge, Emory, & Trine University MentorConsultant: Leadership, Business Transformation, Turnarounds & Grass Root Organizations, Culture, Exec. Coaching, OCM, Competitive Advantage, Private Stock Placement, Ventures, Brand design, Strategy, LiaisonInterviewed & Quoted:*The Wall Street Journal: Creating the 1st Custom Executive Education Program in the USA*Harvard Business School: C-Suite Leadership*University of Cambridge" Leadership & Coaching*Emory University Magazine: TPM a Global Success*Extensive work Business Turnarounds, 3 companies ($100M to $400 M firms). *Creator & Author; TPM:Total Product Management. This business system was implemented by The Coca-Cola Company in over 22 countries and translated into over 9 languages. The TPM system was my Emory University MBA Thesis & originally tested on a Fortune 100 company's most challenged market. The TPM system was copyright by The Coca-Cola Company, Monsanto Company, and BioRev LLC for Global BusinessUniversity of Cambridge, UK: Coaching & Leadership Executive & Life CertificatesCompleted researching leadership & coaching under scholarship at University of Cambridge UK that led to a Diploma & has lead to a new book The DNA of Business (2023)Speaking engagements:*United States Treasury Dept. inc. NASA, NOAA, IRS, FBI, IRS, Army & Air Force *National Academy of Sciences Annual Conf. "The DNA of Business"*HRRT Global Conf.: "The DNA of Business"*ANMP Global Conf. SHRM "The DNA of Business"*ProLango: Vision, Purpose, Strategy*Univera North American Convention & podcasts*Econet Magazine: Featured Article*West African Conference on International Trade Show less

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  Namyang America

  Dec 2011 - Jan 2014

  Co-Founder Officer, EVP, Board Member, Liaison

  Venture... Responsible for venture formation & start up working in partnership with Global CEO of Econet in Korea. Responsible for the establishment & formation of strategic partner relationships in North America. Adviser to key retail negotiations for OEM business in North America and market expansion strategies. One of 4 key members for North America facility global design team. .

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  Serve First 501c3

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2020

  President and Chair: Board of Directors & Liaison to Korea HQ: Serve First 501c3

  President & Chair: Board of Directors; Serve FirstNon-profit organization to benefit children & families in need food & vitamins.*Created strategic alliance with Field Leaders across North America*Created strategies generating growth of over 400% in 3 years*Strategic projects with organizations such as Feed America, Vitamin Angels, Feed the Children, Hope in Action, BRA, Feed Texas, San Antonio Food Bank, Bea's Kids, Sacramento Children's Rescue, Food Banks of Pierce County, Las Rosas Rojas, Shoreline, Memphis, Eugene, Toronto Eden Food Bank-Canada, Laing House, Covenant House, Chillawack Bowls of Hope, Meadow Rose Society, Metropolitan Group, Millionaires Club, Red light Traffic District Group, and other community service projects. Work in concert with parent company Univera to promote the organizations efforts globally. Expand the organizations strategy to actively include Field Leaders and Customers creating local and global synergy with the charity and corporation. Expand fundraising to include leaders, corporations, and others in local fundraising efforts. Significantly expand Public Relations foot print to expand the presence and penetration of the organization into local media and business organizations where previously there was zero presence. Make public PR interviews, public appearances, and meet with local and national community leaders to support local leaders and there fund raising and PR events. Work seamlessly with holding company Global PR agents for Econet, Univera Korea, and Univera Global.*Energize the organization leading by example at corporate and in the field for events, missions, public speaking and promotion of the organization, and governance. Projects with Dominican Republic, Haiti, Food Banks in Canada and the USA. *Recent Missions with Serve First, Feed the Children, Vitamin Angels, BRA, and Univera Leaders & Associates include::2014 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC2015 NICARAGUA2016 HONDURAS2019 MEXICO Show less

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  Univera, Inc.

  May 2014 - Dec 2021

  Report to Econet Holding, Board, & OwnerConverted firm from MLM to eCommerceTransformed firm to VirtualConsumer Products; Immune, Cardiovascular, Joint Care, Blood Sugar, Supplements, Diet, Bath, Body, & Skin CareOpened new Store & Customer Care Center 2016Opened new distribution centerStabilized the firm from a 16 year bottom line decline in 36 mo and from a 10 yr topline decline to break even in 36 mo 2019Achieved EBITDA break even in 24 mo. Achieved break-even P&L in 24 months & profitability in 36 monthsResolved serious PR crisis in May 2015 taking over the firm Stabilized management team & culture, reorg. structure: Sales & MarketingRestructured Customer Care & created new cultureCreated & installed profitable corporate financial models Created 3 year financial plan, approved Seoul Korea Owner & Board Exceeded P&L results consistently in the 2 years of this plan as executed, 2015/16/17Created Health Professionals Board for North AmericaCreated "I AM UNIVERA" & U-Nation CampaignCreated "Jump Start" marketing associates program Created texting marketing campaignsCreated Digital Marketing platform and Social Media CampaignsCreated new corporate broad base communication platformsCreated & launched new enrollment stimulus campaignsCreated Rank Bonus & Free Shipping sales campaignsCreated Customer Gift Card campaignCreated Loyalty ClubSignificantly Reduced logistics costs. Created 4-N-FREE bonus programSignificantly reduced COGSIncreased staff experience & reduced cost Restructured Legal, & Distribution Introduced Customer focused culture at corporateReduced annual convention cost by 12x while significantly improving event validated by Field LeadersCreated USA Field Board 2016Created Canadian Field Advisory Board 2014Reduced cost of goods by 33% from 2007-2014Created strategic vendor partnershipsEst. a footprint in 2018 for growth of a Hispanic businessEst. new firm pro-customer culture 2016Improved Health Canada & FTC position Show less Global COO responsible for Global Operations, Manufacturing, MRP-BRP & Global Purchasing, PD, QA/QC, SRA, Supply Chain & Distribution, Sales Forecasting & Analysis start-ups for USA, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, & Malaysia. SRA for USA-FDA, Health Canada NPN's, Malaysia MAL's, Mexico, Singapore, etc. Responsible for P&L and management of CANADA. Liaison to Korea.Liaison for Asia to key Executives and sister companies, Responsible for Supply Chain to and from Asia, Distribution Centers in North American and Malaysia for intercontinental ocean container and air freight global supply chain shipments and consumer shipping up words of 400,000 packages/yr., Quality Assurance & Scientific Regulatory Affairs & Negotiations, co-packer Manufacturing, MRP-BRP including all Sales Forecasting & all Global Purchasing, Contract negotiation and Co-Packing agreements, Business & Operations Analysis and Improvement. Created a quality group and SOP process, Created a Product Development dept. and process for North America, Previous 2007-2009: Successful infrastructure turnaround of company. for Univera / Econet, completed significant infrastructure rebuild in stabilizing company. Rebuilt & stabilized IT/IS group and failed Oracle and e-commerce IT systems from previous start-up including iCentris eCommerce, Odyssey, & Oracle systems. Business process build out in Oracle modules & all process and interface testing .Turnaround/Rebuilt the Legal Dept. for Econet North America / Univera / and sister companies at the owners request and settled numerous issues before turning legal back over to newly hired General Counsel, Health Canada PLA's & NPN's, Malaysia Operations & Infrastructure support including government registration of Food products, Cosmetics & Skin Care products, Traditional Medicine & Health Supplements.President of the Board of Directors: Serve First: corporations non-profit charity. In partnership with Vitamin Angels founder Howard Schiffer. Show less

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President, Board Member: USA, Canada, Mexico, Singapore & Malaysia

    May 2015 - Dec 2021

  • Global Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), Board Member, Liaison to Korea HQ

    Sept 2007 - Jun 2015

  • Global COO, Legal Affairs, & Compliance, Board Member, Liaison to Korea HQ

    May 2014 - Aug 2014
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  University of Cambridge

  Jun 2016 - May 2020

  Chosen to be a Personal Mentor to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's Young Leadership Program of the Commonwealth. Assigned to the 2016, 2017, 2018 QYLP Commonwealth medal winners on behalf of the Queen's Young Leaders Program and The University of Cambridge: United Kingdom. Responsible for providing mentoring and coaching to the Commonwealth Gold Medal winners in Canada, Seychelles, UK, India, Malta, and Tanzania. Provide progress reports to the Queen's Trustees of the program on behalf of The University of Cambridge and Her Majesty: Queen Elizabeth II. Show less

  • Coach & Mentor: Cambridge Judge School of Business

    Jan 2019 - May 2020

  • Mentor for The University of Cambridge

    Jan 2016 - Jan 2020

  • Personal & 1st Legacy Mentor: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's Young Leadership Program

    Jun 2016 - Dec 2018
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  Emory University - Goizueta Business School

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2020

  Coach & Mentor

  Coach & Mentor for Emory Universities Graduate School of Business. Assigned a student for the 2019-2020 period

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  The Queen's Commonwealth Trust

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

  Member

  Member of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. . . Invited in 2019 via the QYLP: Queen's Young Leadership Program: HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee mentorship support for 9 gold medal winners and the University of Cambridge. Called on to support mentorships, initiatives, and the QCT: Queen's Commonwealth Trust projects accordingly

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  Red Root Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  Jan 2021 - Dec 2023

  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder, Board Member

  *Research, Development, and Commercialization of Botanical Pharmaceuticals venture*Co-Authored patent currently pending with the USPTO*Achieved European Patent issuance in 2023*Created critical key relationships with industry icons in pharma and ventures*Delaware Incorporated the venture*Successfully resolved major I. P. issues without court intervention* Successfully resolved conflict of interest issues with a key vendor*Created key strategic initiatives to form the firm including milestones*Strategic implementation of OCM, Block Chain. TPM: Total Product Management, & Sustainability in venture strategy and funding, implementation of The DNA of Business strategies model"Created companies investor deck w co-founder Show less